Quantcast

Know Your FICO Score: Applicants who fall below the 580 score will have to put down a 10 percent down payment in order to qualify for an FHA mortgage loan.

FHA Loan Programs for 2023

The most recognized 3.5% down payment mortgage in the country. Affordable payments w/good credit.

Are You Watching Your Credit Score?

NOTICE: Some FHA mortgage lenders are substantially raising FICO score requirements during the Coronavirus crisis, even though FHA minimums remain unchanged.


- Improving Your Credit Score Has Never Been More Important -

Get started one
Get started two
Get started three
Get started four
FHA.com is a privately owned website, is not a government agency, and does not make loans.

Choose a Loan Type

FHA.com is a privately owned website, is not a government agency, and does not make loans.

Identify and Fix Credit Report Errors

Things to Do Before Applying for an FHA Loan

Identify and Fix Credit Report Errors

When the Federal Housing Administration announced rule changes to help strengthen finances and protect against risk, one of the biggest changes was requiring a minimum FICO score of 580 to qualify for the attractive 3.5 percent down payment on mortgage loans.

Know Your FICO Score

Applicants who fall below the 580 score will have to put down a 10 percent down payment in order to qualify for an FHA mortgage loan. For many applicants hovering just below that threshold, this policy change may serve as a great opportunity to take close look at their credit report and improve it.

The FICO score is actually comprised of your credit scores from the three national credit bureaus--Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. If your FICO score is just below the FHA limit, you should take the proper steps to check your credit report with the three agencies.

How to Check Your Credit Report

There are many ways people can check their credit scores. There are many online resources for people wishing to identify where they stand with lenders. 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.

While your credit reports and credit score are what lenders use to judge your reliability in paying back loans, errors in your reports can happen. Make sure they aren't hindering you and your life's plans.

Correct Errors as Soon as Possible

The longer you wait to correct your credit history, the more potential damage errors can do. Prevention is key, so if you don't use a credit monitoring service, you should consider one. If you do find any errors, send a letter to the bureau that reported it and clarify with them why you think it is incorrect. Be sure to provide proof and any other documentation that will help your claim.

If you're already in the process of applying for an FHA loan, notify your lender of your dispute with your credit report as well because your credit score indicates your creditworthiness. It never makes sense to suffer at disadvantages that were the result of something you didn't do.

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.


GET STARTED

FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News

FHA Home Loans: Improve Your Approval Chances

June 9, 2023 - If you are interested in building or buying a home, there is an FHA loan that can help. But if you have never done so, you may worry about your ability to be approved for the mortgage. What can help a borrower’s chances when it’s time for the lender to decide whether to approve or deny their loan?

Buying Your First Home with an FHA Loan

June 3, 2023 - If you’re thinking about buying a home this year and you need to save more money upfront on your down payment, an FHA mortgage is an option to consider thanks to its minimum 3.5% down payment. There are other perks to FHA loans, as we’ll discover in this article.

FHA Loan Down Payment Facts

May 30, 2023 - Knowing the down payment rules before you start saving for your home loan may make the entire process more efficient, especially if you know you’re required to give the lender the sources of your down payment money and document it accordingly.

What Will Disqualify You From Getting an FHA Mortgage?

May 27, 2023 - The reasons range from the obvious (low FICO scores) to the not-obvious-at-all (already having one FHA mortgage) and beyond. FHA loan rules say FICO scores between 500 and 579 technically qualify (with a higher down payment), but lender standards also apply.

FHA Home Loans for Existing Construction, New Construction, Proposed Construction

May 23, 2023 - What kind of FHA home loan do you need to buy a home? Do you want to build a home on your own lot from the ground up? That’s the job of an FHA One-Time Close construction loan, which differs from the type of FHA mortgage you need to buy an existing property.