Thinking About Buying? Know Your Credit Score.

Knowing your credit score or getting a recent copy of your credit report is one of the first steps that you can take toward knowing how ready you are to start the home-buying process. Make sure all the information listed on your report is accurate and work to correct any mistakes. The higher your credit score, the more likely you will be to receive a better interest rate for your mortgage, which will translate into more ‘home for your money.’

Many potential buyers believe that they need a 750 FICO® Score or higher to be able to purchase a home. The truth is that according to Ellie Mae’s Origination Report, over 53% of loans were approved with a FICO® score under 750 last month!

Concerned about your Credit Score for a Mortgage? Learn more here!

Here are some tips for improving your credit score:

Make payments, including rent, credit cards, and car loans, on time.
Keep your spending to no more than 30% of your limit on credit cards.
Pay down high-balance credit cards to lower balances, and consider balance transfers to free up credit.
Check for errors on your credit report and work toward fixing them.
Shop for mortgage rates within a 30-day period — too many spread-out inquiries can lower your score.
Work with a credit counselor or a lender to improve your score.

Once you know your score, your next step will be finding a lender and getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Doing this will ensure that you know your budget before you start looking for your dream home.

What Credit Score Do You Need To Buy A House?

There are many misconceptions about the credit score needed to buy a house. Recently, it was reported that 24% of renters believe they need a 780-800 credit score to be considered for a mortgage. The reality is they are misinformed!

"Just because you have a low credit score doesn’t mean you can’t purchase a home. There are a lot of options out there for consumers with low FICO® scores,”

-Randy Hopper, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending for Navy Federal Credit Union

Only 25% of Americans have a FICO® Score between 740 and 800. Here is the breakdown according to Experian:

16% Very Poor (300-579)
18% Fair (580-669)
21% Good (670-739)
25% Very Good (740-799)
20% Exceptional (800-850)

There are many programs available with low or no credit score requirements. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) now requires a minimum FICO® score of 580 if you want to qualify for the low down payment advantage. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not set a minimum credit score requirement, but most lenders require a score of at least 640. Veterans Affairs (VA) loans have no credit score requirement.

What Credit Score Do You Need for a Mortgage? Read it here!

At least 84% of Americans have a score that will allow them to buy a house. If you are unsure what your score is or would like to improve your score in order to become a homeowner, contact us today!