How Much Your Credit Score Matters When Buying a Home

Most people know their credit score is an important part of applying for a loan, but not everyone knows just how much that number affects how much they pay over time. Part of the problem is that lenders aren't as transparent as perhaps they should be about what they're charging and why. They'll add in fees that may sound like standard protocol but are really just an attempt to alleviate their fear of default from a high-risk buyer. Learn more about how credit score factors into mortgage terms before submitting a mortgage application.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

The Sweet Spot

Before getting into how credit affects a buyer's mortgage payments, it's important to identify what conventional lenders are looking for. Most lenders want to see scores that are at least 700 or higher (ideally, 760 or more), even though they will consider those with scores under 680 if the candidate has a stable income without a lot of additional debt. If the borrower is under 640, they may need to look outside traditional funding sources. While certainly an option, high-risk borrowers will not be offered the attractive loan terms that financially stable individuals will receive.

Interest Rates

This is usually the first (and most significant) hit a home buyer will take when they apply for a loan. The second a lender sees a score that suggests a person may have a difficult time making their monthly payments, they'll start trying to figure out how to increase their percentages without entirely alienating the potential borrower. But while a quarter of a percentage point extra may not sound like a lot, consider the fact that this rate will be applied every single month for up to 30 years or more on a fixed-rate mortgage, in Socastee or elsewhere.

The Increments

Credit scores work with 20-point levels that generally dictate the terms each borrower receives. So a buyer who can increase their score by even 20 points may be surprised at how much this can affect the long-term value of their loan. Raising a credit score can be done by paying off bills or consolidating debt to a lower monthly payment. It can even be as easy as fixing inaccuracies on a credit report. As many as one in five people have errors in their report that could be drastically affecting their scores.

Real-Life Scenarios

It's important for homeowners to carry through the math of their loan for the life of the loan as opposed to solely looking at their monthly payments. Even an extra $30 a month on a $250,000 home can add up to five-figure differences over the course of three decades. While homeowners can only do so much to change their credit score in a short period of time, they may also be better off waiting for a year or two until they can get the interest rates they really want. If buying in a particularly popular area, homeowners may even be better off waiting if they think they're in the middle of a bubble.

Unconventional Loans and Credit Scores

Conventional loans are going to pay a lot of attention to a person's credit score. Homeowners applying for a jumbo loan on a luxury home may not even be considered as a candidate if their score isn't 760 or higher. This is why it may make more sense to look outside of a conventional loan to an FHA, VA, or USDA loan to get the terms a homeowner needs. While lenders will certainly still do their homework on a potential candidate, they'll consider a person's total circumstances rather than just the number behind the score.

• FHA Home Loan: Provides excellent terms for people with scores of 700 and above (as opposed to 760 and above for a conventional loan.)
• VA Home Loan: There is no minimum credit score for VA mortgages—some lenders may even work with veterans or widows with scores as low as 500! However, most lenders are looking for at least 620.
• USDA Home Loan: Made for people who want to live in rural areas, the USDA sets their minimums at 640 and gives attractive rates to borrowers with 660 or more.

No matter what type of loan a person is looking for, lenders will consider a person's income, total debt, and general standing in the community. So even people with extremely high credit scores may be turned down if their debt-to-income ratio is too high for a lender to want to take a chance. However, no matter how you slice it, an individual's credit score will affect both their odds of approval and the total amount they pay for the loan over time.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.