 TITLE: How to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early CONTENT: How Paying Off Your Mortgage Early Can Affect Your Credit\n---------------------------------------------------------\nIf you're wondering how much paying off your mortgage early affects your credit score, the answer is: not much. Unlike the potential credit ramifications of closing a credit card account, finishing off your mortgage payments is more akin to closing student or auto loans, with only a minor effect, if any, on your credit.\nOnce your mortgage is paid in full (congratulations, homeowner!), it shows up on your credit report as a closed account in good standing—assuming you've been making on-time payments. There it will remain for the next 10 years. After that decade concludes, you may see a slight drop in your credit score because your credit mix (or the blend of different loan types you have) no longer includes a mortgage. However, keeping your credit card balances low and paying all your bills on time will be a far more significant factor for your credit score. Monitor your credit score regularly to see how these actions can play a part in your credit picture. END