Thinking About Buying? Know Your Credit Score
Knowing your credit score or getting a recent copy of your credit report is one of the first steps that you can take toward knowing how ready you are to start the home buying process.
Make sure all the information listed on your report is accurate and work to correct any mistakes. The higher your credit score, the more likely you will be to receive a better interest rate for your mortgage, which will translate into more ‘home for your money.’
Many potential buyers believe that they need a 750 FICO® Score or higher to be able to purchase a home. The truth is that according to Ellie Mae’s Origination Report, over 53% of loans were approved with a FICO® score under 750 last month!
Here are some tips for improving your credit score:
-
Make payments, including rent, credit cards, and car loans, on time.
-
Keep your spending to no more than 30% of your limit on credit cards.
-
Pay down high-balance credit cards to lower balances, and consider balance transfers to free up credit.
-
Check for errors on your credit report and work toward fixing them.
-
Shop for mortgage rates within a 30-day period – too many spread-out inquiries can lower your score.
-
Work with a credit counselor or a lender to improve your score.
Once you know your score, your next step will be finding a lender and getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Doing this will ensure that you know your budget before you start looking for your dream home.
To view original article, please visit Keeping Current Matters.
Getting Your House Ready To Sell? Work with an Agent for Expert Advice
For any projects you’ve already completed or for those you plan to do before listing, make sure your real estate professional knows.
How Owning a Home Builds Your Net Worth
Homeownership is still considered one of the most reliable ways to build wealth.
A Trusted Real Estate Advisor Provides Expert Advice
With their expertise, a real estate advisor can anticipate what could happen next and work with you to put together a solid plan.
Why You May Want To Start Your Home Search Today
Inventory growth this year is certainly good news for you, especially if you’ve had trouble finding a home that meets your needs.
3 Tips for Buying a Home Today
No matter where you’re at in your homeownership journey, the best way to make sure you’re set up for success is to work with a real estate professional.
What Does the Rest of the Year Hold for Home Prices?
Despite what you’ve heard, experts say home prices won’t fall in most markets. They’ll just appreciate more moderately.
Is the Shifting Market a Challenge or an Opportunity for Homebuyers?
Today, data shows buyer demand is moderating in the wake of higher mortgage rates.
Why It’s Still a Sellers’ Market
While buyer demand is softening due to higher mortgage rates, homes that are priced right are still selling fast. That means your window of opportunity to list your house hasn’t closed.
3 Graphs To Show This Isn’t a Housing Bubble
It’s only natural for concerns to creep in that it could be a repeat of what took place in 2008. Today’s market is nothing like that.
Why Are People Moving Today?
While mortgage rates are higher than they were at the start of the year and home prices are rising, you shouldn’t put your plans on hold based solely on market factors.