Showing posts with label 580 credit fha ky. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 580 credit fha ky. Show all posts

What is the minimum Credit Score Needed to Buy a House and get a Kentucky Mortgage Loan?

Credit Score Needed to Buy a House and get a Kentucky Mortgage?

Conventional Loan


• At least 3%-5% down• Closing costs will vary on which rate you choose and the lender. Typically, the higher the rate, the lesser closing costs due to the lender giving you a lender credit back at closing for over par pricing. Also, called a no-closing costs option. You have to weigh the pros and cons to see if it makes sense to forgo the lower rate and lower monthly payment for the higher rate and less closing costs.

Fico scores needed start at 620, but most conventional lenders will want a higher score to qualify for the 3-5% minimum down payment requirements Most buyers using this loan have high credit scores (over 720) and at least 5% down.

The rates are a little higher compared to FHA, VA, or USDA loan but the mortgage insurance is not for life of loan and can be rolled off when you reach 80% equity position in home. Conventional loans require 4-7 years removed from Bankruptcy and foreclosure.
Kentucky USDA Rural Housing Program

If you meet income eligibility requirements and are looking to settle in a rural area, you might qualify for the KY USDA Rural Housing program. The program guarantees qualifying loans, reducing lenders’ risk and encouraging them to offer buyers 100% loans. That means Kentucky home buyers don’t have to put any money down, and even the “upfront fee” (a closing cost for this type of loan) can be rolled into the financing.
 
Fico scores usually wanted for this program center around 620 range, with most lenders wanting a 640 score so they can obtain an automated approval through GUS. GUS stands for the Guaranteed Underwriting system, and it will dictate your max loan pre-approval based on your income, credit scores, debt to income ratio and assets.
 
They also allow for a manual underwrite, which states that the max house payment ratios are set at 29% and 41% respectively of your income.

They loan requires no down payment, and the current mortgage insurance is 1% upfront, called a funding fee, and .35% annually for the monthly mi payment. Since they recently reduced their mi requirements, USDA is one of the best options out there for home buyers looking to buy in a rural area

A rural area typically will be any area outside the major cities of Louisville, Lexington, Paducah, Bowling Green, Richmond, Frankfort, and parts of Northern Kentucky. There is a map link below to see the qualifying areas.

There is also a max household income limits with most cutoff starting at 109,500 for a family of four, and up to $136,000 for a family of five or more.

The income limits change every spring, so make sure and check to see what updated income limits are.
USDA requires 3 years removed from bankruptcy and foreclosure
There is no max USDA loan limit.
 

Kentucky FHA Loan


FHA loans are good for home buyers with lower credit scores and no much down, or with down payment assistance grants. FHA will allow for grants, gifts, for their 3.5% minimum investment and will go down to a 580-credit score.
 
The current mortgage insurance requirements are kind of steep when compared to USDA, VA, but the rates are usually good so it can counteract the high mi premiums. As I tell borrowers, you will not have the loan for 30 years, so don’t worry too much about the mi premiums.
 
The mi premiums are for life of loan like USDA.
 
FHA requires 2 years removed from bankruptcy and 3 years removed from foreclosure. 
 

Kentucky VA Loan


VA loans are for veterans and active-duty military personnel. The loan requires no down payment and no monthly mi premiums, saving you on the monthly payment. It does have an funding fee like USDA, but it is higher starting at 2% for first time use, and 3% for second time use. The funding fee is financed into the loan, so it is not something you have to pay upfront out of pocket.
 
VA loans can be made anywhere, unlike the USDA restrictions, and there is no income household limit and no max loan limits in Kentucky
 
Most VA lenders I work with will want a 580-credit score, even though VA says in their guidelines there is no minimum score, good luck finding a lender
VA requires 2 years removed from bankruptcy or foreclosure
Clear Caviars needed to for a VA loan.
 

Kentucky Down Payment Assistance


This type of loan is administered by KHC in the state of Kentucky. They typically have $10,000 down payment assistance year around, that is in the form of a second mortgage that you pay back over 10 years.



Sometimes they will come to market with other down payment assistance and lower market rates to benefit lower income households with not a lot of money for down payment.

KHC offers FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional loans with their minimum credit scores being set at 620 for all programs. The conventional loan requirements at KHC requires 660 credit score.
The max debt to income ratios is set at 40% and 50% respectively.

What is the minimum Credit Score Needed to Buy a House and get a Kentucky Mortgage Loan?










Joel Lobb (NMLS#57916)
Senior Loan Officer
Text/call 502-905-3708

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle Suite 3

Louisville, KY 40223
Company ID #1364 | MB73346


kentuckyloan@gmail.com


If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation, or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for a loan, please contact us at 502-905-3708.


Disclaimer: No statement on this site is a commitment to make a loan. Loans are subject to borrower qualifications, including income, property evaluation, sufficient equity in the home to meet Loan-to-Value requirements, and final credit approval. Approvals are subject to underwriting guidelines, interest rates, and program guidelines and are subject to change without notice based on applicant's eligibility and market conditions. Refinancing an existing loan may result in total finance charges being higher over the life of a loan. Reduction in payments may reflect a longer loan term. Terms of any loan may be subject to payment of points and fees by the applicant

Equal Opportunity Lender. NMLS#57916


http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/




What is the minimum Credit Score Needed to Buy a House and get a Kentucky Mortgage Loan?

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM CREDIT SCORE FOR A KENTUCKY FHA MORTGAGE HOME LOAN APPROVAL?


Kentucky FHA Mortgage Credit Score Requirements


FHA is introducing new guidelines on loan to value ratios and the minimum credit score required for FHA borrowers in Kentucky. As detailed in a Mortgagee Letter from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the following credit requirements will apply for FHA borrowers, effective October 4, 2010.

To be eligible for maximum financing, borrowers will need a minimum credit score of 500 or higher.

Kentucky FHA Borrowers with a credit score between 500 and 579 will be limited to a loan to value of 90%. A sub 580 FICO credit score borrower will henceforth need to make a 10% minimum down payment on a purchase transaction.


All Kentucky FHA borrowers with a credit score below 500 will not be eligible for FHA-insured mortgage financing in Kentucky.


The new credit requirements are not expected to dramatically change the number of Kentucky FHA mortgage approvals.


Get used to the term credit overlays. You may call several FHA lenders and a lot of them will tell you that even though FHA will insure lower credit scores, most lenders had already imposed a minimum credit score requirement of 580 to 620 or higher for Kentucky FHA borrowers.


In limited cases, borrowers with scores between 580 and 639 could still obtain mortgage approval with compensating factors such as large down payment (more than 3.5% minimum), low debt to income ratios, and substantial reserves in the bank with a verifiable pay history of no late payments in the last 12 months of rent and on credit report. A late is considered 30 days late in the credit rating world.

Ultimately, there is no singular credit score that can guarantee you a mortgage approval. Each lender is free to set their own credit score requirements.

But many loan types are insured by government organizations. And lenders cannot accept borrowers with credit scores below the minimum these organizations set. The four most popular home loan types are:


Conventional: Not backed by any government agency, but must meet the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac underwriting guidelines

FHA: Loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration


VA: Loans backed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (for military members)USDA: Loans backed by the US Department of Agriculture (for low- to moderate-income families who buy homes in rural areas)



The minimum credit score requirements for each of these loan types:



Conventional:


620 SCORE NEEDED. BUT TO GET APPROVED FOR A FANNIE MAE LOAN MOSTLY LIKE YOU WILL NEED A 720 SCORE OR HIGHER IF YOU HAVE LESS THAN 20% EQUITY POSITION OR LESS THAN 20% DOWN PAYMENT DUE TO PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE


FHA:

580 for a 3.5% down payment
500 for down payments of at least 10%
**MOST FHA LENDERS WILL WANT A 580 to 620 CREDIT SCORE NOWADAYS

VA:

No minimum BUT MOST VA LENDERS WILL WANT A 580 to 620 CREDIT SCORE

USDA:

No minimum, but with a credit score of at least 620 to 640 you could qualify for streamlined credit analysis and chances of approval goes way down if score is below 640...



WHAT IS THE MINIMUM CREDIT SCORE FOR A KENTUCKY FHA MORTGAGE HOME LOAN APPROVAL?






Which credit score is used to qualify for a Mortgage loan in Kentucky?






CREDIT SCORES OR FICO SCORES USED FOR A KENTUCKY MORTGAGE LOAN APPROVAL




For example if you have a 598, 625, 604 on each of the main three reporting agencies, then your qualifying fico score would be 604. 



If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, be aware that the credit score you see on your application might differ slightly from the one you’re used to. 

It might even be different than what comes up when you monitor your credit, or even when you apply for a car loan.

Banks use a slightly different credit score model when evaluating mortgage applicants. Below, we go over what you need to know about credit scores you’re looking to buy a home.

The scoring model used in mortgage applications

While the FICO® 8 model is the most widely used scoring model for general lending decisions, banks use the following FICO scores when you apply for a mortgage:

FICO® Score 2 (Experian)
FICO® Score 5 (Equifax)
FICO® Score 4 (TransUnion)

As you can see, each of the three main credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) use a slightly different version of the industry-specific FICO Score. That’s because FICO tweaks and tailors its scoring model to best predict the creditworthiness for different industries and bureaus. You’re still evaluated on the same core factors (payment history, credit use, credit mix and age of your accounts), but the categories are weighed a little bit differently.


The FICO 8 model is known for being more critical of high balances on revolving credit lines. Since revolving credit is less of a factor when it comes to mortgages, the FICO 2, 4 and 5 models, which put less emphasis on credit utilization, have proven to be reliable when evaluating good candidates for a mortgage.

Mortgage lenders pull all three reports,from all three bureaus, but they only use one when making their final decision.

“A bank will use all three bureaus,”--- “It’s called a tri-merge.”

If all three of your scores are the same, then their choice is simple. But what if your scores are different?


If two of the three scores are the same, lenders use that one, regardless of whether it’s higher or lower than the other one.

And if you are applying for a mortgage with another person, such as your spouse or partner, each applicant’s FICO 2, 4 and 5 scores are pulled. The bank identifies the median score for both parties, then uses the lowest of the final two.

Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer
Individual NMLS ID #57916

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.

Text/call:      502-905-3708
fax:            502-327-9119
email:
          kentuckyloan@gmail.com

 





Louisville Kentucky Mortgage Lender for FHA, VA, KHC, USDA and Rural Housing Kentucky Mortgages: WHAT IS THE MINIMUM CREDIT SCORE FOR A KENTUCKY FH...

Louisville Kentucky Mortgage Lender for FHA, VA, KHC, USDA and Rural Housing Kentucky Mortgages: WHAT IS THE MINIMUM CREDIT SCORE FOR A KENTUCKY FH...: Kentucky FHA Mortgage Credit Score Requirements FHA is introducing new guidelines on loan to value ratios and the minimum credit score requ...

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM CREDIT SCORE FOR A KENTUCKY FHA MORTGAGE HOME LOAN APPROVAL?


Kentucky FHA Mortgage Credit Score Requirements


FHA is introducing new guidelines on loan to value ratios and the minimum credit score required for FHA borrowers in Kentucky. As detailed in a Mortgagee Letter from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the following credit requirements will apply for FHA borrowers, effective October 4, 2010.

To be eligible for maximum financing, borrowers will need a minimum credit score of 500 or higher.

Kentucky FHA Borrowers with a credit score between 500 and 579 will be limited to a loan to value of 90%. A sub 580 FICO credit score borrower will henceforth need to make a 10% minimum down payment on a purchase transaction.


All Kentucky FHA borrowers with a credit score below 500 will not be eligible for FHA-insured mortgage financing in Kentucky.


The new credit requirements are not expected to dramatically change the number of Kentucky FHA mortgage approvals.


Get used to the term credit overlays. You may call several FHA lenders and a lot of them will tell you that even though FHA will insure lower credit scores, most lenders had already imposed a minimum credit score requirement of 580 to 620 or higher for Kentucky FHA borrowers.


In limited cases, borrowers with scores between 580 and 639 could still obtain mortgage approval with compensating factors such as large down payment (more than 3.5% minimum), low debt to income ratios, and substantial reserves in the bank with a verifiable pay history of no late payments in the last 12 months of rent and on credit report. A late is considered 30 days late in the credit rating world.

Ultimately, there is no singular credit score that can guarantee you a mortgage approval. Each lender is free to set their own credit score requirements.

But many loan types are insured by government organizations. And lenders cannot accept borrowers with credit scores below the minimum these organizations set. The four most popular home loan types are:


Conventional: Not backed by any government agency, but must meet the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac underwriting guidelines

FHA: Loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration


VA: Loans backed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (for military members)USDA: Loans backed by the US Department of Agriculture (for low- to moderate-income families who buy homes in rural areas)


Credit Score Requirements for a Kentucky USDA, Fannie Mae, VA, FHA Mortgage Loans

Credit Score Requirements



What’s the Credit Score?

Your credit score is a part of the package of information lenders use to decide whether or not they will lend you money or extend credit. Other factors include things like your employment history and income and their own internal scoring systems.

There are two primary credit scoring models you need to know about: FICO® and VantageScore. Each may be used to determine your creditworthiness: that is, how likely you are to repay your loan. Your score can influence your interest rate, length of loan, and even how much you can borrow.

Your FICO Score is based on information received from the three major credit bureaus, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.

Your VantageScore, meanwhile, was actually developed by the three major credit bureaus to compete with FICO.

Calculating Scores

Both scores use a range of 300-850. A higher score indicates to lenders that you are fiscally responsible and the risk of lending to you is low.

Influences on your FICO Score:

FICO Score Ranges

Source: Experian

FICO Fast Facts:

  • Is not influenced by current interest rates on loans you already have.

  • 45-day window for rate shopping before credit is affected.

  • Six months of credit history required to establish a FICO score.

  • Has a separate Auto Score specifically for car loans.



Influences on your VantageScore:

VantageScore Ranges

Source: Experian

VantageScore Fast Facts:

  • Does not factor in paid-off collections when calculating your score.

  • Late mortgage payments are weighted more than other late payments.

  • 14-day window for rate shopping before credit is affected.

  • Can produce a score just a month or so after credit line is opened.

The average FICO score is 711; the average VantageScore is 688.

What Will My Lender Use?

FICO is used by 90% of lenders, according to myFICO, and has been around since 1989. (VantageScore only hit the scene in 2006.)

If you’re not sure which scoring model a lender will use, just ask!

  • USDA loan: Most lenders prefer at least a 620
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture insures for low- to moderate-income homebuyers. The USDA does not set a minimum credit score requirement and does not require a down payment.
  • Conventional loan: 620
    Conventional loans aren’t insured by a government agency either, but they are covered by mortgage loan companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The down payment amount varies.
  • VA loan: Most lenders prefer at least a 580
    A Veterans Affairs loan is backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and meant for military members and their spouses. These loans don’t require a minimum score or money down.
  • FHA loan: 500 (with 10% down payment) or 580 (with 3.5% down payment)
    FHA loans, those guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration, are for higher-risk borrowers who have poor credit and little money saved for a down payment. The credit requirements can fluctuate based on how much of a down payment you can afford.Most lenders have overlays now wanting a minimum 620 credit score even for FHA loans.

Are you interested in seeing how your current credit score might affect a new mortgage? Let’s take a look together.



Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer

Individual NMLS ID #57916


American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle
Louisville, KY 40223
Company NMLS ID #1364



Text/call: 502-905-3708

email: kentuckyloan@gmail.com

https://kentuckyloan.blogspot.com/

Kentucky FHA Loans with Bad Credit in 2023.

How to get approved for a Kentucky FHA Mortgage Loan with Bad Credit in 2023.


Below details the DTI requirements The maximum Front and Back ratios applicable to manually underwritten Kentucky FHA Mortgages are detailed below. 

Maximum DTI allowed for Manual UW is 40/50 

**IMPORTANT – any loan where ALL borrowers have No Fico Score, the Maximum DTI is 31/43 per HUD DTI and Compensating Factor Requirements: 

560 FICO and Above – DTI up to 31/43.Comp Factors Required - NONE. 

560 FICO and Above - DTI up to 37/47Comp Factors Required– 1 Required 

560 FICO and Above – DTI up to 40/50Comp Factors Required– 2 Required

ACCEPTABLE COMPENSATING FACTORS:

RESERVES – 3 mo (1-2 Unit) 6 Mo (3-4 Unit)

HOUSING DECREASE – new PITI is no more than $100 or 5%, the lesser of the two

RESIDUAL – Meet VA residual requirements

ADDITIONAL INCOME – Income not reflected in DTI (this comp factor is only permitted when DTI is over 37/47 and if income were used, it would decrease DTI under 37/47)

DTI requirements The maximum Front and Back ratios applicable to manually underwritten Kentucky FHA Mortgages


MANUAL UNDERWRITE REQUIREMENTS ON ALL LOANS

12 Months verified housing history OR rent free letter,

Reserves, AND

1 month reserves for 1-2 Unit

3 month reserves for 3-4 Unit

NOTE: If you use reserves as a compensating factor, then you do not need these reserves in addition

Letter of explanation for all derogatory credit, including any NSFs and/or overdrafts in bank accountIf applicable, 2 months for all bank statements in the file (60 days activity)

Maximum DTI 40/50 (HUD guideline, no exceptions


Instructions for Residual Income as Compensating Factor

Residual income may be used as compensating factor when it meets or exceeds the stated amounts in

the table below. Note that all household members must be counted for ‘family size’ except for individuals

who are fully supported from a verified source of income not included in the effective income of the loan.

Residual Income as Compensating Factor for Kentucky FHA Mortgage Loan


Residual Income Calculation When Needed as a Compensating Factor

Gross Monthly Income1 2

- (State income taxes3)

- (Federal income taxes3)

- (Municipal or other taxes3)

- (Retirement deductions and/or Social Security deductions)

- (Total monthly housing payment)

- (Estimated maintenance and utilities4)

- (Job related expenses (e.g., childcare)5)

= Monthly Residual Income for Family Support.

[When using Residual Income as a compensating factor, the “Monthly Residual Income for Family Support” must

meet or exceed the dollar amount in the “Residual Income Table” above.

1 Income from occupying borrowers only

2 Non-taxable income may not be grossed up

3 Federal and state taxes must be used to determine appropriate deductions or paystub if taxes are not available

4 Multiply total living area (sq ft) x 14

5 Childcare letter is not required (as it is for VA) and should not be requested

Exceptions to the Required Residual Income

You may reduce the residual income figure from the above tables by 5% if:

1. The borrower(s) is an active duty or retired serviceperson, OR

2. There is a clear indication that a borrower will receive the benefits resulting from use of military-based

facilities located near the property.

Examples of military service for reduced residual income are:

Guard and Reserve military retirees, 100% disabled Veterans and their family members, or Medal of Honor

recipient.


Kentucky FHA Mortgage Lender for Bad Credit in 2023




Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer

Individual NMLS ID #57916


American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle
Louisville, KY 40223
Company NMLS ID #1364



Text/call: 502-905-3708
fax: 502-327-9119
email:
 kentuckyloan@gmail.com

http://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/

The view and opinions stated on this website belong solely to the authors, and are intended for informational purposes only. The posted information does not guarantee approvalnor does it comprise full underwriting guidelines. This does not represent being part of a government agency. The views expressed on this post are mine and do not necessarily reflect the view of my employer. Not all products or services mentioned on this site may fit all people.
NMLS ID# 57916, (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).


Kentucky FHA Mortgage Loans

Kentucky FHA Loan Requirements For 2022 How to Qualify for a Kentucky FHA Mortgage Loan with a lender?

Kentucky FHA Mortgage Guidelines in Video







Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer
Individual NMLS ID #57916

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.

Text/call:      502-905-3708
fax:            502-327-9119
email:
          kentuckyloan@gmail.com

 


What is a Good Credit Score for a Kentucky FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae Conventional KHC Mortgage Loan Approval?

What is a Good Credit Score

What is a Good Credit Score?

An established credit history and credit score often stands between potential home or car buyers and their dream. But What is a good credit score? What exactly is a credit score? What makes a credit score “good?” How to improve your credit score? If you’re new to building credit there are a few things you need to know in order to keep your credit looking stellar.
What is a credit score?
Your credit score is a numerical representation of your credit report. This three-digit number is like a badge that predicts risk, credit responsibility and determines your interest rates if you borrow money from lenders much like your CLUE Report. While you will be able to get a copy of your credit report you may not find this numerical key listed. Think of your credit score like the cliff notes version of your credit report. There are a few different measures of credit scores between divisions. Based on their own systems different scorers might view certain numbers in many ways.
what is a good credit score
what is a good credit score
Deciphering your three-digit credit score is quite easy if you know the levels. The range usually runs from 300-850. Good to excellent credit is considered anything from 700 to 850. If your credit score falls in this range you’re going great! Fair credit runs from 625-699, poor runs from 550-624, and anything below 550 is bad. Some finance experts would classify anything over 720 a good credit rating. Experts will disagree depending on their preferred credit rating systems, and in most cases the criteria you use to determine whether or not your credit score is good will not be far off.
What Does a Good Credit Score Mean?
Having a good credit score is great, but if you don’t know how to use it you could be missing out on some crucial credit building. Credit scores are used in varying ways by lenders and banks. One thing your credit score implies is how likely you are to pay back debt. Basically it announces how reliable you are as a borrower. People with good credit scores are more likely to pay back funds that they borrow while those with lower scores aren’t so reliable. Lenders like reliable borrowers, and good credit points them out.
But a credit score does much more than predict whether or not you’ll pay a loan back. When it comes to buying a house or car, there is an interest charge. Higher credit scores usually have a lower interest rate than those with bad to fair credit. Lenders not only base whether or not they’ll approve a loan by your credit score, but also how much interest to charge. If your credit is in good standing your interest rate won’t be as high as someone with bad credit. Your credit score saves you money with lower interest rates.
How is a Credit Score Calculated?
In order to build and maintain good credit you must first know how your score is determined. Once you know what goes into a credit score you can begin building your credit or nursing your score towards higher digits. Credit scores are based on your financial history only, and laws prevent your score being affected by things like race, gender, age and where you live. What is included are items such as your payment history, your current credit debts, age of your credit history, new credit items added to your accounts and types of credit used.
These five basic areas are where the bulk of your credit score is formed. All criteria have varying degrees of involvement in your score. For example:
  • Payment history (35%) – How many on-time payments you’ve made, missed, defaulted and past due items
  • Current amount owed (30%) – How much you currently owe – if you owe a large amount this could negatively affect your score
  • Age of credit history (15%) – The average length of your credit accounts and time since last activity
  • New credit (10%) – The number of new credit items on your accounts
  • Types of credit (10%) – The kinds of credit accounts are you currently maintain
How to Improve Your Credit Score?
Many people avoid credit based on all the negatives they’ve heard against it, but neglecting your credit score hurts your chances of being able to make major purchases in the future. The best way to build credit is to use credit, and forming the following good credit habits early will pull your low score to higher ground.
  • Pay bills on time – This is the easiest and best way to boost your credit score. Since the bulk of your credit score comes from your payment history, paying bills on time will pull you up quickly. Not only will that help, but a recent and consistent history of paying bills on time overshadow a period long in the past where you may have missed payments.
  • Budget – Setting up a budget and staying within its parameters will keep you from overspending and using credit for frivolous things. Although using credit builds credit not being able to pay it off hurts more in the future.
  • Use all your credit cards regularly – If you have a few credit cards try to use them from time to time in order to show that you use all of your accounts. Remember that the last usage of an account is 15% of your score.

Track a key aspect of your financial profile with your personal FICO® Score history graph. Simply navigate over any point of your score history and view the date the score was calculated. Check back each month to stay on top of changes.

Important items to note:

  • We may not receive a new score for you each month. You won’t see a score if we did not receive one for a given month.
  • Remember, FICO® Scores are based on data in your credit report, so changes to your score may be a result of changes in your credit report. You can request a free annual credit report from Equifax at www.annualcreditreport.com.
Please refer to our FAQs or Useful Links sections for more information.

FICO® Scores: What You Need to Know

Score Deciding Factors

35% payment history, 30% amount you owe, 15% length of credit history, 10% new credit opened, 10% type of credit.
 

Understanding Credit Reports and Credit Scores

When it comes to getting a home loan, does your credit report and credit score really matter? Can you use the free credit score you got off the internet to apply for a loan?  What if your credit score is low, can you get a mortgage? What if it is high, will you get a better interest rate? And what the heck is FICO?
So many questions. You’ve searched the internet and are still confused. If you are new to getting a mortgage and are overwhelmed by understanding your credit score you are not alone. Your credit score has a big  impact on your ability to qualify for a loan and get a favorable interest rate. Therefore, you should take the time now to understand it.
Here’s the good news. We’re here to explain things simply and clearly. Step by step we will walk you through all things credit. When we’re done, you’ll know what you need to know to understand how credit impacts your ability to get a mortgage so you can make smart home buying decisions.
Below are the important items we will discuss:
  • What is a credit report?
  • What do mortgage lenders use to determine my credit score?
  • What does FICO stand for?
  • What determines my FICO score?
  • What’s a good FICO score?
  • What if my FICO score is below 620?
  • Can I get a copy of my credit report?
  • Ah Ha! Now I understand all things credit and I’m this much closer to owning my home!
What is a credit report?
A credit report record’s your credit history including information about:
  • Your identity: name, social security number, date of birth and possibly employment information.
  • Your existing credit: credit card accounts, mortgages, car loans, students loans etc.including credit terms, how much you owe, and your payment history.
  • Your public record: Judgments against you, tax liens or bankruptcies.
  • Recent Credit Inquiries: Requests for your information from companies extending credit such as credit card companies, auto loans, etc.
Be aware, credit card companies, car companies and mortgage lenders use slightly different models to determine credit risk. Today we are focusing on Mortgage related credit.
How do lenders calculate my credit score?
Your credit score is the key to your castle. Your home is most likely the most expensive purchase you will ever make. Therefore, when buying a home, lenders use a different system for assessing risk than credit card companies or even auto loan companies use.
Mortgage lenders use a comprehensive system of checking credit called a Residential Mortgage Credit Report (RMCR), commonly called a “Tri-Merge” report. The RMCR report combines your three credit reports from the three national credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each credit reporting agency calculates your credit score or FICO Score differently. Therefore, pulling from all three bureaus gives lenders a more complete picture of your credit behavior.
Once pulled, lenders use the average of these three scores, usually the middle score, to determine loan qualification and interest rate. For example, if Equifax gives you a 720, Experian a 730 and TransUnion a 740, the lender will use the 730 FICO Score to help determine the terms of your mortgage. If you are applying for a loan jointly, your partner’s three reports will also be pulled.
What does FICO stand for?
FICO stands Fair, Isaac and Company. Over 25 years ago, lenders began using FICO’s scoring model, or algorithm, to fairly and more accurately determine a person’s credit risk. Since it’s inception, FICO’s continually updates its’ algorithms to reflect more current lending trends and consumer behaviors. Today, FICO Scores are used by over 90% of enders. Importantly, your FICO score can impact your loan interest rates, terms, approvals and more.
What determines my FICO score?
A Mortgage FICO score is determined by an algorithm that generally looks at five credit factors including payment history, current level of indebtedness, types of credit used, length of credit history and new credit accounts.
What do FICO scores look at?
What’s a good FICO score?
To qualify for a conventional loan, most Mortgage lenders require a FICO score of 620+. The best interest rates go to borrowers with a 740+ FICO score. For each 40 point drop, borrowers can expect to see a slightly higher interest rates by about 0.2 percentage points.  If a borrower drops below 660, the increase is likely to be twice as big, a 0.43 percentage point increase. If your credit score is below 620, it is very difficult to get a conventional loan in today’s marketplace. However, don’t be discouraged. You may still be able to buy a home.
Qualifying Credit Scores
What if my FICO or credit score is below 620?
If your score is below 620, you may still be able to buy a home. There are several options:
  • Put more money down. Some lenders offset a weak credit score with a higher down payment. A higher down payment gives you more equity in your home, lowering the lender’s risk.  
  • You may qualify for a non conventional government issued loan such as an FHA, Veterans Affairs and/or U.S. Department of Agriculture loan which have less stringent lending requirements.
  • You may work to get that credit score up!
    • Correct any errors on your report. Analyze your credit items line by line. If you notice a mistake, dispute it right away with either the credit bureau providing the report or the company that providing the incorrect information to the credit bureau.
    • Make all your payments on time. Late payments are the No. 1 way to lower  your credit score.
    • Pay down revolving debt. Keeping your credit balances low helps to raise your score.  
    • Sit back and relax. As long as you're paying down debt and making payments on time, your credit score will eventually rise on its own.
Can I get a copy of my credit report after a lender has pulled it?
Yes! In fact, you can get one free credit report every twelve months from each of the nationwide credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You may also purchase your credit score at any time from any of the credit bureaus. Some Mortgage lenders will tell you your score when you apply for a loan or even give you a copy of your report but they are not required to do so. However, if a lender denies you credit, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) you are entitled to a free copy of your personal credit report if you have received notice that in the past 60 days you have been declined credit
n order to get approved for most homes loans nowadays that are sold to FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae and Kentucky Housing, you will need to have a 620 credit score for most programs, with FHA, USDA, and VA going


Joel Lobb
Mortgage Loan Officer
Individual NMLS ID #57916

American Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
10602 Timberwood Circle 
Louisville, KY 40223
Company NMLS ID #1364


Text/call:      502-905-3708
email:          kentuckyloan@gmail.com



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Disclaimer: No statement on this site is a commitment to make a loan. Loans are subject to borrower qualifications, including income, property evaluation, sufficient equity in the home to meet Loan-to-Value requirements, and final credit approval. Approvals are subject to underwriting guidelines, interest rates, and program guidelines and are subject to change without notice based on applicant's eligibility and market conditions. Refinancing an existing loan may result in total finance charges being higher over the life of a loan. Reduction in payments may reflect a longer loan term. Terms of any loan may be subject to payment of points and fees by the applicant  Equal Opportunity Lender. NMLS#57916 http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/

-- Some products and services may not be available in all states. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. The content in this marketing advertisement has not been approved, reviewed, sponsored or endorsed by any department or government agency. Rates are subject to change and are subject to borrower(s) qualification.