mortgage

Why is Credit Score Important & What Can Affect it?

Posted on April 16, 2023 by - Planning your build

A contract being handed from one person to another

One factor that directly impacts the home-buying process in the United States is credit scores. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or an experienced real estate investor, your credit score plays a crucial role in determining your ability to secure a mortgage and purchase the home of your dreams.

At G.J. Gardner Homes, we understand that navigating the complex world of credit scores and home buying can be overwhelming, and that’s why we’re here to help. By having a solid understanding of what you need to know about credit scores when it comes to purchasing a home, you’re better equipped to make this major purchase. So, whether you’re planning to buy a home in the near future or simply curious about the importance of credit scores in the home-buying process, we’ve got you covered.

What is a credit score?

When it comes to purchasing a home in the United States, one of the most important factors to consider is your credit score. A credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, indicating to lenders how likely you are to repay a debt on time. In other words, it is a measure of how reliable you are as a borrower.

In the United States, credit scores typically range from 300 to 850, with the higher the score, the better your creditworthiness. Most lenders consider a credit score of 700 or above good, while a score below 600 is considered poor. However, keep in mind that different lenders may have different criteria for what they consider a “good” credit score.

Does your credit score affect your buying of a home?

Credit scores affect your ability to secure a mortgage. Mortgage lenders use your credit score to determine the interest rate and the loan amount you qualify for. A higher credit score can help you secure a better interest rate and a larger loan amount, while a lower credit score may result in higher interest rates and smaller loan amounts.

Additionally, your credit score may also impact the type of mortgage you qualify for. For example, if you have a lower credit score, you may only qualify for a government-backed loan, such as a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan, which typically requires a lower credit score but may come with higher fees and mortgage insurance. On the other hand, if you have a higher credit score, you may qualify for a conventional loan, which typically has lower fees and interest rates but requires a higher credit score.

Overall, your credit score is one of the most crucial parts of the home-buying process in America. It impacts your ability to secure a mortgage, the interest rate and the loan amount you qualify for, and the type of mortgage you can obtain. That’s why it’s essential to maintain a healthy credit score by paying your bills on time, keeping your credit utilization low, and avoiding opening too many new credit accounts.

What affects credit score?

With the right financial habits, you can improve your credit score and increase your chances of securing the home of your dreams. Several factors affect your credit score, and it’s essential to understand them to maintain a healthy credit score. The leading factors include:

  • Payment history is one of the most critical factors that affect your credit score. Your payment history indicates whether you pay your bills on time, and late or missed payments can significantly impact your credit score.
  • Credit utilization is another crucial factor that affects your credit score. Credit utilization refers to the amount of credit you are currently using compared to your total credit limit. High credit utilization can lower your credit score, so it’s important to keep your credit utilization low.
  • Length of credit history is also a factor that affects your credit score. The longer you’ve had credit, the better it is for your credit score as it indicates a more established credit history.
  • Credit mix and new credit inquiries can also impact your credit score. Too many inquiries and new accounts within a short period can lower your credit score, so it’s essential to be mindful of how many credit accounts you’re opening and when. The types of credit accounts you have can also impact your credit score. A healthy credit mix of different types of credit accounts, such as credit cards, loans, and mortgages, can improve your credit score.

In summary, several factors affect your credit score, including payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, credit mix, and new credit inquiries. By understanding these factors and maintaining good financial habits, you can improve your credit score and increase your chances of securing a mortgage to purchase your dream home.

What credit score is needed to buy a house?

The credit score needed to buy a house varies depending on several factors, such as the type of mortgage and the lender’s requirements. However, in general, most lenders look for a minimum credit score of 620 or higher to qualify for a conventional home loan.

Keep in mind that a credit score of 620 is the minimum requirement, and having a higher credit score can increase your chances of securing a mortgage with better terms and interest rates. For example, a credit score of 700 or above is typically considered good and can help you qualify for a lower interest rate and a larger loan amount.

If you have a lower credit score, you may still be able to qualify for a mortgage, but you may need to explore other options, such as government-backed loans. For example, an FHA loan may be an option for borrowers with a credit score as low as 500, but it requires a larger down payment and comes with higher fees and mortgage insurance.

Ultimately, the credit score needed to buy a house depends on several factors, and it’s essential to consult with a lender to determine your options. However, regardless of your credit score, it’s important to maintain good financial habits, such as paying your bills on time and keeping your credit utilization low, to improve your credit score and increase your chances of securing a mortgage with favorable terms.

What affects credit score the most?

Payment history is the factor that affects your credit score the most, as it makes up around 35% of your credit score. Late or missed payments can have a significant impact on your credit score and can stay on your credit report for up to seven years.

Credit utilization is another crucial factor that affects credit score, as it makes up around 30% of your credit score. Keeping your credit utilization low, ideally below 30%, is essential to maintain a healthy credit score.

To keep a healthy credit score, it’s important to pay your bills on time, keep your credit utilization low, maintain a good mix of credit accounts, and avoid opening too many new credit accounts at once. You can also monitor your credit score regularly and dispute any errors on your credit report. By practicing these habits consistently, you can maintain a healthy credit score and increase your chances of securing a mortgage to buy your dream home.

Get in touch

If you’re considering buying a home and want to learn more about your options and how to improve your credit score, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team at G.J. Gardner Homes. We’re here to help you navigate the homebuying process and make your dream home a reality. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards homeownership.

The Home Loan & Mortgage Process for Home Buying

Posted on March 21, 2023 by - Planning your build

Home buying is one of life’s most celebrated and sought-after milestones. In fact, for almost 85% of Americans, home buying is a top priority, and understandably so. Homeowners get to enjoy a unique sense of independence and pride, having a place to not just call home, but one that’s truly their own.

But how do you get there?

Buying a home can be a complicated journey as you navigate the path to ownership. From your initial planning to the contract exchange, buying a home should be an exciting and rewarding experience. G.J. Gardner Homes are here to help with a step-by-step breakdown as to how you finance your home purchase. The home loan and mortgage process may seem intimidating, but having a thorough understanding of the steps can help you feel informed and confident while making this major purchase.

Initial planning

Before getting in touch with your bank, you should do some initial planning to begin scoping what home you’re looking for and what’s realistic. By considering your financial circumstances, your location, and your lifestyle, you can streamline your home-buying journey and narrow down your goals.

These first steps involve looking at your finances, goals, and the broader market to set feasible expectations. This is your fieldwork. Research what’s on the market and the available bank lenders, finalize your non-negotiables in a property or a location and estimate your mortgage-to-downpayment ratio. By laying the groundwork, you get yourself in the best position to begin engaging banks for pre-approval and working through the market.

Pre-approval: what is the pre-approval process for a mortgage?

While you can still shop for homes on the market without it, a pre-approval gives you a clear understanding of your budget and lets you gauge what properties are within reach. Pre-approval is the first step in the mortgage process, where a bank reviews your financial situation. From your savings, employment, and assets to any existing debts and economic history, your bank evaluates whether you’re a reliable borrower.

Given the competitiveness of today’s housing marketing, pre-approval is highly recommended so you can act fast. With pre-approval, you’re given a precise estimate of your borrowing power so you can confidently make offers.

How to get pre-approved for a home loan?

At the end of the day, pre-approval depends on your bank’s criteria, but as an applicant, there are a few things you can do to boost your reputation as a prospective borrower. When reviewing your application, your bank must review your finances and decide whether you’re a low-risk borrower.

To boost your borrowing power during pre-approval, it’s essential you can show a responsible financial history. Before applying, check in on your financial situation and ensure it communicates to your bank that you’re a safe candidate to lend to. Some main factors to consider include the following:

  • Income
  • Funds and savings
  • Existing debts
  • Employment history
  • Living expenses and existing assets

Home Shopping

Shopping is the most exciting part of this journey for most home buyers. With G.J. Gardner Homes, you can explore a wide range of homes nationwide and experience our superior home designs. At your local office, we can take you through the unique customization process so you can begin employing your design eye and creating your dream home. Learn more about our home designs today.

Mortgage Application: what is the mortgage loan process?

Once you’ve found your home and your offer gets accepted, it’s time to begin your mortgage application. Pre-approval will put you in a better position for this process. However, your bank can still reject your mortgage application even if you have received pre-approval.

The mortgage application process will need you to submit your personal and financial documentation, this includes the:

  • W-2s (for the last 2 years)
  • Recent pay stubs
  • Complete bank statements for all financial accounts
  • Signed personal and business tax returns
  • A copy of the signed Purchase and Sales Agreement

So, what is the bank looking for when they review this information? Your lender is trying to gain an accurate snapshot of your financial health and ensure you are a responsible and safe borrower. This will be reflected in consistent income, responsible spending habits, and savings. Once lenders have considered these factors, they can determine whether you’re a good investment for their bank and approve or deny your application.

Where does your credit score come in?

Credit scores are influential in mortgage applications as they rate your ability to borrow funds in the past or your: creditworthiness. It’s a calculated representation of your lending capacity and is one of the most influential factors in mortgage applications that can decide everything from loan approval to loan terms.

The higher your credit score, the better your creditworthiness is and the better your chances are at attaining a mortgage loan. A low credit score, under 600, indicates a less reliable borrower.

This number is a form of risk assessment for bank lenders and determines the type of loan you can receive. Applicants with high credit scores are likely approved for lower down payments and interest rates, whereas applicants with low credit scores will probably have to adhere to stricter terms. This could include a much higher downpayment and interest rate so the bank can cover itself in case of repayment issues.

As credit scores ultimately decide loan terms and approval, the home-buying journey starts much earlier than most think. Your mortgage process depends on your financial behavior over the years, and it’s important to work to attain a good credit score in the years leading up to home buying.

How long does the mortgage process take?

On average, the mortgage process in America will take 30 to 45 days. However, the length of time depends on several different factors. These include the bank, the application type, the accuracy of your application, the underwriting process, and the property itself. Complications in the loan process can double the timeline on average to 60 to 90 days.

Underwriting: what is the mortgage underwriting process?

While reviewing your mortgage application, the bank will complete underwriting. This process reviews your financial situation and is a significant mortgage stage component. An underwriter will assess your creditworthiness by reviewing all relevant information and documents you supplied in your application. The outcome of this process will determine whether the loan is approved or denied.

It’s called underwriting because, at one point in history, bankers would write their names under the risk information to approve the loan.

How long is the underwriting process for a mortgage?

The underwriting process represents one stage in the mortgage approval process carried out by lenders. It usually takes around a week to complete on its own, but it will vary from bank to bank. While this is the main stage of mortgage approval, admin and loan terms are also involved, which make up the rest of the waiting time.

What is the process of paying off a mortgage?

The average mortgage pay-off period is 30 years and involves continual monthly repayments. Your monthly repayment will involve the monthly principal (a portion of the loan) and the interest payment. As you progress with the payments, they should decrease over time as the loan balance decreases. This is called amortization. When securing your mortgage, you can decide the repayment period and terms that inform how the experience of paying off your mortgage will be.

Ready to buy?

Buying a home is an investment in your future and is widely considered one of the best decisions you can make. Life as a homeowner offers so many personal and financial advantages that make all this hard work pay off. Start your home-buying journey today and explore G.J. Gardner Homes’ wide range of home designs. Contact us for more information!