A recent survey reported that 2.7 times more first time home buyers than repeat buyers believe they must improve their credit scores before buying a house. First let’s dispel credit score myths. A home buyer can possibly win mortgage approval with a credit score as low as 620. If your score is 620 or higher, you can possibly win loan approval.
If your score is less than 620, you need to work to improve it before you can qualify. If your score is 620 or higher, you may want to take steps to increase your score as better scores tend to lower mortgage costs. Note that I am not a credit score repair specialist, but here are some basic, fundamental tips to improve your credit score:
Pay down your credit card balances: You get the best score on each credit card account when your balance is less than 1/3 of that account’s credit limit. Your score drops when your balance is more than 1/3 of the limit. And your score drops even further if your score is more than ½ of the credit limit.
Pay your bills on time: Late payments lower your score. The later the payment, the more your score is penalized.
Time heals all wounds: The more time that has elapsed since your last late payment, the less those late payments will affect your current score. Some credit issues have mandatory waiting periods. For example, if your credit report shows a bankruptcy, 2 years must elapse before you can obtain a FHA mortgage, and 3 years must elapse before you can qualify for a conventional mortgage.
Resolve account disputes now: Mortgage underwriters hate account disputes. If you have disputes on credit accounts, go ahead and resolve them prior to applying for a mortgage.
Be aware of collections accounts: Note that I didn’t say to pay them off. Sometimes, paying off a collection account will actually lower your credit score. If you want to buy a home in the next 12 months or so, it may be best to just know about the collections accounts – you may have to deal with them as part of your mortgage process. In some cases, we require the borrower to bring enough cash to close and to pay off collections account balances as part of the mortgage closing process.
If you want to buy a house in Georgia, get a good idea of your credit score and your monthly debt payments. Then call me to discuss your loan options. I’ll invest time coaching you on the best ways to help you win loan approval.
More mortgage questions? Check out our home buyer educational videos.
