May 18, 2017
Do FHA loan rules require more than one credit score for a borrower to qualify for a mortgage loan? That’s what one reader wants to know this week:
“Can you tell me if FHA can lend if someone only has one score? It’s a 621 score. This home buyer had a short sale four years ago and did not rebuild credit as she decided not to get any credit cards. She has a debit card and that is it. Please advise if one score would be accepted?”
FHA loan rules for credit score requirements are found in HUD 4000.1, the FHA single-family home loan rule book. HUD 4000.1 has instructions to the lender for credit score requirements which include the following about what is called the Minimum Decision Credit Score:
“The Minimum Decision Credit Score (MDCS) refers to the credit score reported on the Borrowers credit report when all reported scores are the same. Where three differing scores are reported, the middle score is the MDCS. Where two differing scores are reported, the MDCS is the lowest score. Where only one score is reported, that score is the MDCS. An MDCS is determined for each Borrower.”
So according to this read of HUD 4000.1, the general answer to the reader question is yes. Technically speaking, FHA loan rules do permit the lender to process an FHA loan application using the one available credit score. But what about when there is more than one borrower?
“Where the Mortgage involves multiple Borrowers, the Mortgagee must determine the MDCS for each Borrower, and then select the lowest MDCS for all Borrowers.”
“Where the Mortgage involves multiple Borrowers and one or more of the Borrowers do not have a credit score (non-traditional or insufficient credit), the Mortgagee must select the lowest MDCS of the Borrower(s) with credit score(s).”
It’s important to point out that lender standards, state law, and other variables may also apply. Borrowers will need to speak to individual lenders to see what other standards may apply-HUD 4000.1 limits itself to statements of FHA policy and does not include the policies of lenders, state law, etc.
Joe Wallace has been specializing in military and personal finance topics since 1995. His work has appeared on Air Force Television News, The Pentagon Channel, ABC and a variety of print and online publications. He is a 13-year Air Force veteran and a member of the Air Force Public Affairs Alumni Association. He was Managing editor for www.valoans.com for (8) years and is currently the Associate Editor for FHANewsblog.com.
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