[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”How to Prepare Your Credit For Buying a New Home: 10 Tips”][vc_single_image image=”524″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ready to buy a new home, but not sure if your credit is in good enough shape to qualify you? Preparing your credit to apply for a mortgage and get a loan with a favorable interest rate requires keeping these 10 tips in mind.
Related article: 10 Things To Ask Yourself Before Buying A New Home
1. Get Your Credit Score
Facing reality is your first step in preparing your credit for buying a house. To get your credit score for free, try CreditKarma or Mint. Both sites enable you to get your score without charge. If you order your score from both sites and they are different, average out the two numbers to get a more accurate score. If you want to be extra sure of your score and see the number most often used by mortgage lenders, pay for your score at FICO.
Here’s a useful article if you’re surprised by your credit score: 10 Important Things You Have To Know About The Recent FICO Credit Score Changes.
2. Check Your Credit Report
While your score gives you the specifics, your credit report offers the big picture. The information reflected on your credit report directly affects your score. For instance, it will show if you have any late payments on record and how much of your credit is currently in use.
Get a free credit report for all three major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian) by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com or from one of these credit reporting sites. Your report will highlight areas in which you need to make improvements.
3. Know Your Credit Score Goal
Understanding the ideal credit score range for buying a home helps you know what to aim for regarding your credit. Credit scores range from 300 (very poor) to 850 (excellent).
According to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, you generally need a score of at least 620 to qualify to buy a home. This is the minimum score. If your credit falls between 620-699, you’ll pay a higher percentage rate and go through a more rigorous application process than if your score is in the 700s. Scores of 740-750 or above usually qualify for the best interest rates on the market.
4. Examine Your Credit Report for Accuracy
Considering that your score is directly affected by what is on your credit report, it’s important to verify that all of the information on your credit report is accurate. The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau advises correcting mistakes on your credit report by contacting the credit reporting company that is showing the error as well as the company that is the source of the information.
5. Pay down Credit Card Debt
The lower the percentage of your credit you have in use, the higher your credit score will be. Prepare your credit for buying a new home by paying down your credit card debt as much as possible. Start with the largest balances, concentrating first on those cards that are maxed out or nearly maxed out.
We’ve got some great tips on paying down your credit card debts with How to Pay off Credit Card Balances More Effectively.
6. Avoid Using Paid-Off Credit Cards
Once you’ve paid down credit card balances, wait 45 days for the changes to be reflected on your credit report. Also avoid using your credit cards while applying for a mortgage and while your home is in escrow. You want the balances to stay as low as possible during this time.
7. Leave Old Open Credit Lines Alone
If you have credit lines on your report still showing, despite the fact that you paid them off some time ago and aren’t using them, don’t close them. Leaving them alone is good for your credit, because a big part of determining your credit score and credit worthiness for getting a mortgage loan focuses on how much credit you have versus how much of it is in use. You want a high amount of credit and a low amount of it in use.
8. Diversify Your Credit Report
In addition to major credit cards, it’s a good idea to have other debt represented on your credit report, such as student loans and car loans. Known as seasoned trade lines, each of these different types of debt should show up on your credit report at least seven to 12 months prior to applying for a mortgage loan.
9. Don’t Open New Credit Lines
At least six months prior to applying for a mortgage, avoid adding new credit of any kind. Even minor credit additions can diminish your chances of getting a mortgage loan. Except for paying off debt, leave all of your accounts alone during this time.
10. Be Patient, It Won’t Happen Overnight
How long it takes to get your score up to snuff for a mortgage depends on a lot of things. This includes what your score is now, and how much money you have available to pay off current debts. Reaching your financial goals doesn’t happen overnight, but keep moving, saving, and preparing your credit. You’ll reach your goal of buying a new home in no time![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
