When it comes to getting a mortgage, credit scores are paramount. Generally, a score of 750 or higher is considered excellent. Want to raise your credit score? Start by taking the following steps advised by Kiplinger.

1. Pay your bills on time

The most influential factor in your credit score is your payment history, so it’s crucial to stay on top of bills. Just one late payment (overdue by 30 days or more) can damage your score. FICO recently reviewed the profiles of consumers it calls high achievers (those with scores in the 750-850 range) and found that 72 percent of those with scores from 750 to 799—and 95 percent of those with scores of 800 or higher—had no late payments on their credit reports. Ensure that you pay bills on time by signing up for automatic payments from your bank account or credit card, or set up reminders of upcoming due dates on your calendar or Smartphone. Budgeting sites like Mint.com also can alert you when bills are coming due for accounts you link to its tool.

2. Watch your utilization ratio

The amount you owe on your credit cards as a proportion of your card limits is another important score component. FICO high achievers with scores from 750 to 799 use a median 10 percent of the credit available to them, and those with scores of 800 or higher using only 4 percent. Generally, the lower your utilization the better. As a guideline, experts often recommend using no more than 30 percent of the credit available to you to show lenders that you can manage credit responsibly. But if raising your credit score is a priority, keep utilization under 10 percent on each credit card you own. Paying down your credit card balances multiple times per month also can help reduce your utilization. Your card issuer may allow you to set up e-mail or text message notifications when your balance reaches a level that you specify. Another tactic: Ask your card issuer to raise your credit limit. If you’ve been using the card for several months and paying your bills on time, the issuer may grant your request. But be sure that you have the discipline not to increase your spending as well. Even if you stop using a credit card, it’s often smart to keep it open to gain benefits from the available credit. However, if the card tempts you to overspend or carries an annual fee, closing it may be better.

3. Keep balances low

Individuals with FICO scores of 800 or higher have a median total revolving credit balance of $1,446, compared with $2,040 for the U.S. population overall (who have an average score of 700). In a study of its users, Credit Sesame, which provides free VantageScore credit scores to consumers, found that those with scores of 800 or higher had an overall average credit card balance of $1,181; those with scores of 600 or lower carried $3,625. The takeaway? Maintain firm control over your spending, charging only what you can afford to pay in full each month on your credit cards. That way, you’ll also avoid incurring interest.

4. Give it time

Having several years of credit usage under your belt also elevates your score. The average age of revolving credit accounts among FICO high achievers is a little more than nine years for those in the 750-799 range and almost 12 years for higher scorers. However, you still can have a good score even if you’re not a longtime user of credit. Length of credit history accounts for 15 percent of your FICO score, compared with 35 percent for payment history and 30 percent for amounts owed (including credit utilization). If you are just starting to establish a credit history, set yourself up for success by using a credit card to make small manageable purchases, such as gas and groceries. Renters also can ask their landlords to report rent payments to the credit bureaus to help start a credit history. Opening new credit accounts may shorten the average age of your credit history, but closing accounts won’t affect account age right away. Accounts that were closed in good standing may remain on your credit report for up to 10 years. Still, it’s not a bad idea to keep your oldest credit cards open to help maintain your credit history.

5. Apply for credit sparingly

Applying for several credit cards in a short period sends a signal that you may be a risky credit prospect. Each time a potential lender checks your credit, the action shows up on your report as an inquiry—and the appearance of several inquiries at once can ding your credit score. Having a mix of account types helps increase your score, and people with FICO scores of 800 or higher have a median 10 revolving credit lines on their credit reports, more than those with lower scores. If you do open new credit cards regularly, try waiting at least six months between applications.

6. Choose the right credit cards

Look for cards that reward your spending patterns. If you buy a lot of gas, for example, a card that pays 5 percent cash back on fuel purchases will serve you well. Cash-back cards often let you use the rewards you’ve accumulated as a statement credit toward purchases, lowering your bill. A card that carries an annual fee may be worthwhile, but first, do the math to decide whether the rewards you earn will outweigh the fee. Some cards waive the annual fee for the first year, giving you time to determine whether the card works for you. If you are just getting started with credit (or bouncing back from a bankruptcy or other serious delinquency), a secured card that requires you to make a deposit as collateral can help you build a credit history and score. Also, while retailers may offer you enticing discounts if you sign up for their store credit cards (and retail cards are often easier to obtain than other cards), keep in mind that both cards often come with low credit limits—meaning that your credit utilization could easily push past the recommended 30 percent mark when you use the card to make purchases.