FHA advises prospective homebuyers to approach FHA loans with their best possible credit history to eliminate any potential risk of not qualifying.

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FHA.com is a privately owned website, is not a government agency, and does not make loans.

FHA Loan Tips for Improving Credit

Track Your Credit Score and Stay on Top of Problems

FICO Scores Influence How Much FHA Down Payment Is Required

While FHA loans are known as a great service for people looking for help buying a house, applicants can make the process even easier if they take steps toward ensuring their credit history is in tip-top shape. The agency advises prospective homebuyers to approach FHA loans with their best possible credit history to eliminate any potential risk of not qualifying.

Whether you're looking for a loan to mortgage a new house or to refinance a house you already own, it makes the most sense open up all your options with an optimal credit rating. The FHA recommends having a satisfactory payment history of at least one year before applying for a loan.

Credit Tips for Your FHA Loan

Here are some tips to help you on your way:

  • Take a Close Look at Your Credit Reports
    You don't know what could be hurting your credit score unless you actually check. Get your credit reports from the three national credit bureaus--Experian, Equifax and TransUnion--at no cost and comb them over for anything suspicious or questionable.
  • Dispute Inaccuracies
    If you find errors on your credit report, notify the reporting bureau in writing so you have a record. Provide any additional records or evidence you have to support your dispute.
  • Find Professional Help
    The FHA recommends applicants with credit problems get help from a Consumer Credit Counseling program. A credit counselor can help you get back on track.
  • Bankruptcy / Foreclosure
    If you've suffered from a bankruptcy or foreclosure in the past few years, you might still be able to qualify for an FHA loan. Develop a satisfactory payment history, re-establish good credit and meet the other FHA requirements.

While your credit history is just one of the many factors that make up your eligibility for an FHA loan, it is no doubt one of the most important. Having a higher score not only helps you qualify, you can also benefit from the low 3.5 percent down payment on mortgage loans available to applicants with a FICO score over 580. FHA approved lenders don't take your credit history lightly, and neither should you.

Credit Scores for FHA Loans

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FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News

FHA Home Loan Down Payments: What to Know Before You Buy

March 13, 2024 - FHA home loan down payments are typically lower than many conventional mortgage equivalents, especially if you can’t afford the 20% down needed to avoid conventional private mortgage insurance, which is required on a conventional mortgage.

Home Loan Interest Rate Facts

March 1, 2024 - Home loan interest rates are back in the 7% range, with dips back to the 6% range along the way. What do you need to remember in a time when the housing market is trying to improve but is hitting some rocky territory along the way? We cover some of the major issues in this article.

FHA Loan Requirements Can Be Confusing

February 28, 2024 - If you are new to FHA loans, their requirements can be confusing at first, at least until you are more familiar with the loan program and its rules. A glance at the FHA loan approval basics typically needs a bit of explanation, as we’ll discover in this article.

Construction Loan or Rehab Loan?

February 27, 2024 - If you have never bought or built a home, your options may initially seem confusing. The more you learn about different loan types and the application of those home loans, the more you realize you have a wealth of options depending on your goals and needs for the home.

Home Loan Scam Tactics You Should Know About

February 25, 2024 - Major lenders are warning home loan applicants about scams. These warnings are issued frequently. What makes the current round of warnings different and more urgent is the level of sophistication these swindles have reached recently.