What should my credit score be in order to buy a home?
Your credit score is a number between 300 - 850. Typically, the higher your credit score, the lower mortgage interest rates will be available to you. However, that doesn’t mean a less-than-ideal credit score disqualifies you for a mortgage loan.
There are a variety of loan options to work with in an effort to help more people become homeowners, as each loan type has its own credit requirements.
To find out more about your available options based on your credit score, talk with a lender today.
How do I look up my credit score?
You can check your credit reports from the 3 major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) once per 12 months. (Annualcreditreport.com)
We recommend tracking your credit trends with free tools like Credit Karma.
It’s not exact like an official report from a credit bureau, however it’s great for monitoring your credit trends to know what’s working.
Knowing your credit score helps you make informed decisions for your financial future.
How do I improve my credit?
It’s a common question, you’re not alone in asking!
In general we recommend the following tips:
#1 - Get your usage to under 30% of your limit. You can pay down the balance or contact your creditor to request a limit increase.
#2 - Pay your bills on time. Late payments can have a major negative impact on your credit score.
#3 - Monitor your credit trends to know what’s working
For the best guidance, contact a lender for advice based on your specific situation.
How long does it take to see a change in credit?
Improving your credit score is more of a marathon than a sprint. It’s one of the big reasons we recommend starting early, so time can be in your favor.
There’s no magic answer, sometimes we see positive movement in about 60 days. Other situations need several months.
The wait and effort is worth it when you keep your long term goals in mind.