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 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
SEE YOUR CREDIT SCORES From All 3 Bureaus
Do you know what's on your credit report?
Learn what your score means.
FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
May 15, 2022 - When you apply for an FHA mortgage, your loan officer will ask you for proof of employment and income in the form of W2s or other pay records, plus tax data and bank account statements. Changing the way you earn a living may or may not complicate your FHA home loan application.
May 10, 2022 - Buying a home involves many small details and first-time homebuyers often have to resort to checklists or other means to keep everything organized. What do you need to know at the start of your first home buying journey?
May 7, 2022 - Would you buy or rent the very first property you viewed in the house-hunting process? Few people would take the first property available without comparing it to others. Why would you treat the mortgage portion of your home ownership journey any differently?
May 5, 2022 - What do you need to consider in the planning stages of your FHA home loan? Some may not be sure how long it takes to save up for a down payment and closing costs, or what it takes to prepare credit ahead of a home loan.
April 23, 2022 - A few simple things can happen that will hurt your credit scores before you apply for a home loan. These are not the only issues, but what we discuss below are some of the most common problems to anticipate. A late or missed payment can hurt your FICO scores.
