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.
Credit Scores for FHA Loans
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FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News
July 21, 2021 - Are you concerned that your lender might deny your home loan? Do you know why your loan might be denied and what you can do about it ahead of time? Reasons may include late or missed payments on rent or past mortgages, low credit scores, or houses that cannot pass the appraisal process.
July 14, 2021 - What are the benefits of an FHA mortgage loan? There are many things that borrowers may view as helpful, more than may be viewed as pro-consumer, but what are the actual benefits of an FHA mortgage over other types of home loans?
July 3, 2021 - Are you a first-time home buyer? If so, you have a wide range of options open to you. Some are surprised to learn that those options include the ability to build a home on your own lot using a One-Time Close construction loan. Yes, even a first-time borrower may qualify for these loans.
June 29, 2021 - On paper, FHA loan minimums for credit scores start at 580 for the lowest down payment. Its true that the lender may require a higher score, but for FHA mortgages, 580 is the bare minimum FICO score you can have and still be considered for maximum financing.
June 28, 2021 - The Department of Housing and Urban Development official site has announced important changes to its home loan policies regarding how student loan debt is calculated for the purposes of home loan approval, improving the home loan processes for affected borrowers.
