• Menu
  • About
  • REVIEWS

KAYE SWAINKAYE SWAIN

Kaye Swain Roseville REALTOR - Specializing in Over 55 Communities in Roseville CA Area

9167680127
KayeSwainRE@gmail.com
  • Menu
  • HOME
  • Blog
  • Roseville CA
  • Retirement
  • real estate update
  • Brand New Homes
  • Homes For Sale
  • Home Value
  • Sell home
  • virtual home tour
  • Homes sold

What FICO® Score Do You Need to Qualify for a Mortgage?

Thank you for sharing....

What FICO® Score Do You Need to Qualify for a Mortgage? | Simplifying The Market

It’s common knowledge that your FICO® score plays an important role in the homebuying process. However, many buyers have misconceptions regarding what exactly is required to get the loans they need.

While a recent announcement from CNBC shares that the average national FICO® score has reached an all-time high of 706, the good news for potential buyers is that you don’t need a score that high to qualify for a mortgage. Let’s unpack the credit score myth so you can to become a homeowner sooner than you may think.

With today’s low interest rates, many believe now is a great time to buy – and rightfully so! Fannie Mae recently noted that 58% of Americans surveyed say it is a good time to buy. Similarly, the Q3 2019 HOME Survey by the National Association of Realtors said 63% of people believe now is a good time to buy a home. Unfortunately, fear and misinformation often hold qualified and motivated buyers back from taking the leap into homeownership.

According to the same CNBC article,

“For the first time, the average national credit score has reached 706, according to FICO®, the developer of one of the most commonly used scores by lenders.”

This is great news, as it means Americans are improving their credit scores and building toward a stronger financial future, especially after the market tumbled during the previous decade. With today’s strong economy and increasing wages, many Americans have had the opportunity to improve their credit over the past few years, driving this national average up.

Since Americans with stronger credit are now entering the housing market, we are seeing an increase in the FICO® Score Distribution of Closed Loans (see graph below):What FICO® Score Do You Need to Qualify for a Mortgage? | Simplifying The MarketBut hang on – don’t forget that this does not mean you need a FICO® score over 700 to qualify for a mortgage. Here’s what Experian, the global leader in consumer and business credit reporting, says:

FHA Loan: “FHA loans are ideal for those who have less-than-perfect credit and may not be able to qualify for a conventional mortgage loan. The size of your required down payment for an FHA loan depends on the state of your credit score: If your credit score is between 500 and 579, you must put 10% down. If your credit score is 580 or above, you can put as little as 3.5% down (but you can put down more if you want to).”

Conventional Loan: “It’s possible to get approved for a conforming conventional loan with a credit score as low as 620, although some lenders may look for a score of 660 or better.”

USDA Loan: “While the USDA doesn’t have a set credit score requirement, most lenders offering USDA-guaranteed mortgages require a score of at least 640.”

VA Loan: “As with income levels, lenders set their own minimum credit requirements for VA loan borrowers. Lenders are likely to check credit scores as part of their screening process, and most will set a minimum score, or cutoff, that loan applicants must exceed to be considered.”

Bottom Line

As you can see, plenty of loans are granted to buyers with a FICO® score that is lower than the national average. If you’d like to understand the next steps to take when determining your credit score, let’s get together so you can learn more.

Posted in: Real Estate Info Tagged: real estate, Real Estate Market, real estate news

Post navigation

« 62% of Buyers Are Wrong About Down Payment Needs
Homeownership is the Top Contributor to Your Net Worth »
Kaye Swain REALTOR in Roseville CA real estate news and services including aging in place-multigenerational boomers and seniors old and vintage houses and first time home buyers

Hi and Welcome to KayeSwain.com.

Are you looking for homes for sale in Roseville CA and the surrounding area? I appreciate your stopping by and invite you to check out the various options available - from blog posts to inform you about this lovely Greater Sacramento Valley Area, to home searches you can set up - such as homes for sale Roseville, Lincoln, Rocklin, Granite Bay, Citrus Heights, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, etc, to fun real estate eye candy and more. And yes! This is true for residential neighborhoods, condo communities, and all of our lovely 55+ active senior retirement communities. If you have any questions about buying OR selling your home in Roseville or the surrounding Sacramento area, do give me a buzz at 916-768-0127 or email us at KayeSwainRE@gmail.com We're here to help you and your family with your real estate needs.

Kaye Swain Sun City Roseville Real Estate Agent

Search for Homes for Sale

Search KayeSwain.com

Search for:

Click here and sign up to get my free weekly emails where I share Roseville and Sacramento area updates, fun events, holiday happenings, real estate market info, and more. KayeSwain.com/free-weekly-area-updates

Search New Construction Home Listings

See What’s New Today

Oops! Please enter a valid location (city, zip code or school district) or community name.

Powered by  www.showingnew.com/kayeswain

Tags

55+ senior retirement homes 95747 aging-in-place aging in place for boomers and seniors aging in place options boomers and seniors Brand New Homes buy or sell a home Citrus Heights Corona Virus Del Webb The Club At Westpark golf course home sellers homes for sale homes for sale in Citrus Heights homes for sale in Lincoln homes for sale in Rocklin homes for sale Rocklin CA homes for sale Roseville CA Homes sold multigenerational open house Placer County real estate Real Estate Market Real Estate Market Update real estate news real estate update restaurants Retirement Rocklin Roseville Roseville CA Sacramento Sacramento County seasons Silverado Homes at Eskaton Village Sun City Lincoln Hills Sun City Roseville Sun City Roseville Homes for Sale virtual home tour weather weekly market stats West Roseville winter

Search KayeSwain.com

Search for:

CLICK HERE for free weekly emails where I share Roseville and Sacramento area updates, fun events, holiday happenings, real estate market info, and more. KayeSwain.com/free-weekly-area-updates

CLICK HERE to read our blog
CLICK HERE to read RosevilleCaliforniaJoys.com

Resources for Buyers

The Ultimate Home Buyer's Guide

Resources for Home Sellers

Click here for Kaye Swain’s ebook -> Your Home Sellers Guide 

 

 

Resources for Boomers and Seniors

  • Seniors First Resource Guide
  • John Palley,Attorney – Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law – offers an excellent and free book you can download as a pdf – “How to Live & Die With California Probate.” (Scroll to the bottom of his page and click the photo of the book)

 

RSS Roseville California Joys Blog – Latest Posts

  • Good Info and Interesting Things To Do In Roseville CA Area
  • Fun and Interesting Local News In Roseville CA Area

CONTACT US

9167680127
KayeSwainRE@gmail.com
Christian Kaye Swain real estate agent blogger in Sacramento Roseville CA first time home buyers boomers seniors 700 700 with kw logo
© 2023 · Equity Framework
Kaye Swain Roseville Real Estate Agent, 916-768-0127, KayeSwainRE@gmail.com, CalBRE#01966207, with Keller Williams Realty, 548 Gibson Drive, Suite 200, Roseville CA 95678, (Each office is independently owned and operated)

If you have a brokerage relationship with another agency, this is not intended as a solicitation. Equal Opportunity Housing Provider.

Use of this site means you agree to the Metrolist Terms of Use. The content relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the IDX program of the MetroList MLS Services. Listing content is copyright © 2017 MetroList MLS Services. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. The information provided is for consumers. personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties for purchasing. Please contact Kaye Swain Real Estate directly for additional information pertaining to the status and availability of properties displayed on this website.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

*****************************************************************************

This blog may also contain other affiliate posts, ads, and links and we may receive compensation for posting those as well as for links that are clicked

Log in