FHA Loan Tips for Improving Credit
Track Your Credit Score and Stay on Top of Problems
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 home buyers 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.
Helpful Advice - Credit Scores and Loans
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FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
March 20, 2019 - The home loan is a major investment, and lenders are required to exercise due diligence in making sure the borrower’s financial data is accurate and meets home loan approval standards. Reviewing your tax returns shows the lender the exact nature of income and employment.
March 18, 2019 - Borrowers who receive disability payments may want to have those payments considered for real estate loan approval, but what is the FHA standard in this area? If your disability income has no expiration date you may be in a good position to have that income considered for your mortgage.
March 14, 2019 - House hunters, real estate agents, first-time home buyers, and many others have questions about FHA home loans. Some of the answers to these questions are complex and require quotes from the FHA home loan rulebook, HUD 4000.1.
March 13, 2019 - First-time home buyers might not be used to thinking long term about buying, owning, and selling or refinancing real estate, but it’s a very good idea to consider your options long-term when planning to buy your first home.
March 12, 2019 - Believe it or not, FHA loan rules require the lender to consider each of these circumstances individually to determine whether past credit problems were due to circumstances beyond the borrower’s control or if they were caused by being a bad credit risk.
FHA.com Reviews
FHA.com is a one-stop resource for homebuyers who want to make the best decisions when it comes to their mortgage. With our detailed, mobile-friendly site, individuals can access information about different FHA products, the latest loan limits, and numerous other resources to make their homebuying experience easier. Take a look at some of the reviews from other FHA.com visitors!
