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
October 2, 2019 - Getting your FHA lender to take you seriously as a borrower when you have had past credit trouble depends on certain factors. Try to show them your credit troubles were caused by circumstances beyond your control and demonstrate good credit use since the negative credit incident.
October 1, 2019 - There are plenty of indications that a buyer is NOT ready to buy a home with an FHA mortgage loan, but what tells you it’s time to make the commitment? There are five general signs you can use to determine how close you are to being fully ready.
September 24, 2019 - It’s easy to understand why some real estate shoppers haven’t decided what kind of mortgage loan they want to apply for when they start the house hunting journey. There are many options, both FHA and non-FHA.
September 23, 2019 - In September 2019, the Department of Housing and Urban Development released a housing finance reform plan that proposes to refocus the FHA to its core mission. The report discusses the state of the housing market today, the volume and viability of FHA home loans.
September 22, 2019 - What do you need to know about FHA mortgage down payment requirements? There are a variety of factors but the most important thing to know is that there are specific rules for the amount, payment, and sources of your minimum required investment.
