How Your Credit Score Affects Buying a House
You’re ready to purchase a home - but have you looked at your credit score lately? Your credit score as a home buyer is not only one of the most important variables when applying for a mortgage, it is also the first thing a mortgage lender will check to see if you qualify for a loan. Your credit score affects how much you can borrow, the kinds of mortgages for which you can be approved, and your mortgage rate. The minimum acceptable credit score depends on the type of home loan you qualify for, but conventional financing for buying a home usually requires a minimum credit score of 620. Pricing Based on Risk Mortgage lending is based primarily on risk-based pricing. Lenders increase the cost of your mortgage for each risk associated with your credit profile. The lower your credit score, the higher the rate you will pay for a mortgage. For example, the difference between a 750 credit score and a 625 score can add one half of a percent to your loan rate. On a $200,000 30-year mo