In order to qualify for a mortgage, we need to let the professionals take a look at our credit and our credit score. Before they take a look…… shouldn’t we look at our own credit? Do you know what it takes to get your credit score where it needs to be in order to have a favorable outcome from that meeting with the lender? You need to be aware of what your credit score is before the meeting.
From time to time most of us think about, if not worry about, our credit score. So…what is it, how important is it….and how can we get it to be the best that it can be?! Here are a few facts about credit scores and how to improve them.
What is a credit score?
A credit score or FICO is a numeric expression of a persons credit file, which represents the credit worthiness of that person. A credit score is primarily based on credit report information which is usually gathered from credit bureaus. A score is usually between 300-800. Higher=better!
How Important is your credit score?
Your credit score tells the lender the likelihood of your paying them back the money you want to borrow…so I would say that it is VERY important…to you and the lender.
What can you do to move those numbers UP?
First off if you have had any credit problems in the past you need to be prepared to discuss them openly and honestly with your mortgage professional. Experienced professionals know that there can be reasons behind credit issues and are ready to listen and offer any help that may make the process easier…but they cannot help if they are not aware of the problems. Make sure to talk to your mortgage professional honestly about any credit issues you have had, even if you think they are not important, let them decide. It is much better to deal with the issues before going through all of the paper work.
If you have had credit issues but have been working on them and have had on time payments for a year or longer then your credit may be satisfactory. Do not think just because you have had issues that you cannot get qualified! Ask a professional.
Excess debt can be an issue for your credit score. Some ways to help get rid of that excess debt quickly is to make some hard choices! You may consider selling your second car and using the money to pay off debt…or you can lower your monthly entertainment budget, maybe even get rid of it altogether for a while, and with the extra money each month pay some bills twice. Make sure to never pay just the minimum on credit cards or any kind of revolving credit. Hold a garage sale and again….proceeds go to bills. Not just the monthly payment…more. And pay as early as possible each month so as to avoid extra interest, most companies calculate interest on a daily basis so the earlier you pay the less interest you pay.
Make sure you are not late any month! You do not want any 30 days late on your credit report.This makes a difference in calculating your score. As does your debt compared to your earnings. Your debt ratio needs to be in balance. Make sure what you have coming in is greater than what you have going out in bills.
**There are several places on the net where you can go to get a free copy of your credit report. A simple search in your favorite search engine will produce a few sites. Take your pick and see what your score is today! If there are any problems within your report that you disagree with, do not be shy about letting the Bureaus know about it. If you go to one of the main 3 bureaus sites you can fill out online disputes and have them take a look. It is your credit history, if you do not protect it….who will?
Have more questions about credit scores or mortgages…please call Chris today! 317 271-1700
Hendricks County Marketplace 