FHA Credit and Your FHA Loan
Take the Steps to Review Your Credit
FHA loan rules apply for all borrowers when it comes to basic minimum credit standards. The FHA loan requirements that will affect your transaction include FICO score rules, down payment requirements, and the basic terms of your mortgage.
You cannot be rejected for an FHA home loan on the basis of factors that have nothing to do with your financial qualifications, employment, income, being an owner/occupier, etc. A home may not be suitable for an FHA loan, a borrower may be denied the loan because he or she doesn't intend to live in the property as the primary residence, or because of factors that affect the economic life of the property.
Credit Requirements for FHA Loans
FHA loans provide great assistance to many first-time homebuyers by offering mortgage loans with lower down payments. While this is a benefit for many people, recent changes in FHA Loan credit requirements may have put the loans just out of reach for some would-be homeowners with questionable credit history.
- The Facts About FHA Credit Requirements and FICO® Scores
- What FICO® Score Do I Need Buy A Home?
- Questions About Credit and Buying a Home
Benefits of Having Good Credit
Homebuyers looking to take advantage of great FHA loan benefits should already know they need to establish the best possible credit rating. FHA loan applicants with a better credit rating increase their options for mortgage or refinance loans.
In order to qualify for the low 3.5% FHA loan down payment, applicants will need a FICO® score of at least 580. Those that don't meet that criteria will have to put a down payment of 10% on the mortgage they want.
- Qualifying for a Mortgage: 5 Things to Know
- Facts About Your Credit Scores
- How to Prepare Your Credit for an FHA Home Loan
Improving Your Credit
If your credit is less than solid, consider delaying your home purchase and work on improving their credit scores. Applicants who have a minimum credit score of less than 500 are not eligible for FHA mortgages.
While FHA loans are a great option for people buying a house, applicants can make the process even easier if they take steps toward ensuring their credit history is in tip-top shape. FHA advises prospective homebuyers to approach the loan process with their best possible credit history to eliminate any potential risk of not qualifying.
- FHA Loans, Missed Payments, and My Credit Report
- Minimum Credit Scores for FHA Loans
- Ways to Improve Your Credit Ahead of Your Home Loan
Fixing Credit Report Errors
Some borrowers who want to apply for an FHA loan find their applications held up by problems with what is on their credit report. Take proper steps to check the accuracy of your credit report with Experian®, TransUnion® and Equifax®.
Once you've gotten your report from the three bureaus, carefully examine your credit history for anything out of the ordinary, such as unauthorized loans taken out in your name, incorrect late payment records or anything that seems questionable, no matter how minor you think it is.
- Credit Monitoring, Data Security Breaches, and Your FHA Loan
- The Facts About FHA Credit Requirements and FICO Scores
- FHA Home Loan Applications and Credit Freeze Issues
Identity Theft and Fraud in the News
Now more than ever, it is crucial to pay close attention to your credit reports due to elevated security breaches, hacks, and security compromises. No major corporation is immune to these attacks-including the credit reporting agencies themselves.
We've listed a timeline of some of the most headline-grabbing hacks reported in recent years. Remember, these are only SOME of the incidents you may have heard about; each one is a good example of why it pays to continuously monitor your credit.
- FHA Home Loan Applications and Credit Freeze Issues
- Credit Monitoring, Data Security Breaches, and Your FHA Loan
- Credit Advice for Home Loan Applicants
SEE YOUR CREDIT SCORES From All 3 Bureaus
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Learn what your score means.
FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
October 3, 2022 - First-time home buyer are likely to wonder about the kind of credit requirements needed for an FHA mortgage. According to Experian, there is no set minimum to buy a house. However, that does not mean you won’t have any minimum FICO score expectations from a lender or the FHA.
September 29, 2022 - Credit scores are only one part of your credit history and your loan officer will want to see the whole picture. What informs your loan officer’s decision to approve or deny your loan application for an FHA mortgage? Do a bit of basic research into how home loans work.
September 28, 2022 - From time to time, we get asked questions about whether there are FHA loan rules that apply to home loan transactions where the owner of a rental property wants to sell the rental property to a tenant. The rules for these transactions are found in the FHA Single-Family Lender’s Handbook.
September 16, 2022 - If you seek an FHA One-Time Close construction loan or an FHA 203(k) Rehabilitation loan, there are some questions to ask when comparing lenders. You will need to know the lender’s policy on things like how the loan converts from the construction phase to the permanent phase.
September 15, 2022 - Does it hurt a borrower’s chances when applying for an FHA mortgage loan if there’s a debt owed to the federal government? Can unpaid federal taxes become a barrier to an FHA mortgage loan? The FHA recognizes two types of circumstances–tax debt and non-tax debt.
