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Articles Tagged With: Credit Issues

May 3, 2018

FHA Mortgage Credit Issues

By Joe Wallace

FHA mortgage loans require a credit check, but many future FHA borrowers have some kind of credit issue in their past. Some things aren’t enough to derail an FHA home loan application-old credit issues that have since been resolved, disputed accounts that have since been successfully resolved or have had a payment plan created, etc. What do borrowers need to know about credit issues that CAN negatively affect the ability to borrow? For starters, it’s important to know that the most recent 12 months of your credit activity will be very important. It’s crucial to avoid late and missed payments at all costs in those 12 months for best results. Other FHA loan credit issues can affect your loan (or not) depending on the timing, severity, and nature of the | more...

 
Mortgages

April 5, 2018

More FHA Credit Score Questions And Answers

By Joe Wallace

In our previous blog post, we examined some common FHA loan FICO score questions and answers. Here are some more things you should know about FHA home loans, the FICO score requirements for them, and more. Is There A FICO Score Too Low To Be Approved For An FHA Loan? Lender standards will apply above and beyond FHA loan rules in this area. Technically speaking an FHA loan applicant with a FICO score of 500 or less is not eligible for an FHA-insured mortgage loan. Lender standards may be higher than this, however, and borrowers with FICO scores in the 500 range should seriously consider calling the FHA directly at their toll-free number 1-800 CALL FHA to get a referral to a local, HUD-approved housing counselor who can assist with | more...

 
How FHA Home Loan Limits Are Set

February 26, 2018

FHA Loans, Credit Reports, And Loan Approval

By Bruce Reichstein

What do you need to know about FHA loans, credit reports, and loan approval? To begin, your credit reports have a big part to play in the lender’s decision to approve your mortgage application. What do you need to know about this approval process and what the lender is looking for? Home Loans Require More Than Good Credit Scores FHA loans, like any other major line of credit, require the lender to determine that the applicant is a good risk for the loan. Your FICO scores may be well within the range the lender needs to approve your loan with maximum financing (that score may vary depending on the lender) but what ELSE does your credit report say? For example, are you carrying the maximum or close to the maximum | more...

 
FHA and HUD

February 22, 2018

FHA Loan Credit Requirements And Your Credit Scores

By Joe Wallace

FHA loan credit requirements state that the lender must pull your credit information and credit scores to review a borrower’s credit worthiness. But if you are applying for an FHA loan you likely have three credit scores the lender must contend with. Borrowers often want to know how the lender views these three scores-they can be different from one another depending on circumstances-and which of multiple credit scores is actually used to process your home loan. The rules for FHA credit score requirements are found in HUD 4000.1, the FHA loan handbook. Credit scores must come directly from the three credit reporting agencies and cannot be submitted or transmitted to the borrower or another third party then submitted to the lender. Your credit scores must come from the source. FHA | more...

 

February 21, 2018

FHA Mortgage Loans: Credit History Counts

By Joe Wallace

When it comes to FHA mortgage loans, or any major line of credit, your credit history counts. Some might focus on the FICO score, but the numbers you get off your credit report are not the only credit qualifications needed to successfully apply for an FHA mortgage. Credit Report Data: The Big Three Many people use the phrase “Big Three” to refer to the three credit reporting agencies themselves; Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. But here, we’re referring to the Big Three on your credit report itself. Your credit score, credit history, and the amount of credit you carry. The Big Three credit factors all count towards your potential loan approval or denial. Why? The lender is required to establish that you are a good credit risk for the loan. Your | more...

 
FHA loans

January 24, 2018

FHA Loan Rules: Late Or Missed Housing Payments

By Joe Wallace

Many readers contact us asking about the FHA loan rules for late or missed housing payments. These questions aren’t usually along the lines of “what happens if I am late making my FHA mortgage loan payment”, but rather how a participating FHA lender will view late or missed housing payments when it comes time to approve or deny the mortgage loan application. FHA loan rules governing the lender’s loan approval process are found in the FHA Single Family Loan Handbook, HUD 4000.1. These instructions to the lender aren’t the only rules that may affect your transaction; lender standards and state/federal laws will also apply. But the basic guidelines for the FHA home loan approval process give the lender specific instructions for FHA loan minimum requirements, and that will be the | more...

 
FHA Home Loan Credit Score Requirements: FICO Scores And More

January 10, 2018

FHA Home Loan Credit Checklist

By Joe Wallace

There’s more than one kind of checklist that can help you in the FHA home loan process. There’s an overall mortgage checklist that helps people prepare for closing, but what about in the planning stages when you’re trying to review your credit to insure you are as credit-worthy as possible? Making a checklist specifically to review and prepare your credit is a very good idea, and you can get started with the following steps below. Making an FHA Home Loan Credit Checklist There are three very important areas to keep in mind when making a credit checklist; past credit performance, future credit activity, and the possibility of identity theft and/or outdated information on your credit report. Don’t overlook any of these areas, and be sure to develop a strategy for | more...

 
FHA Loan Approval: Credit Check Facts

December 21, 2017

What Credit Score Do I Need To Get A Home Loan?

By Bruce Reichstein

What credit score do I need to get a home loan? That is a question many FHA loan applicants ask, and the answer involves both FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 (the FHA loan handbook) and lender requirements. What You Should Know About FHA Loan Standards FHA loan rules for credit and FICO scores are minimum requirements, but your participating FHA lender may have additional requirements. Always remember that FHA loan rules provide the baseline requirements, but the lender may have higher FICO score and credit history standards. What we’re discussing here are the FHA rules, lender requirements will vary. The FHA “Minimum Decision Credit Score” (MDCS) HUD 4000.1 defines the FHA MDCS as follows: “The Minimum Decision Credit Score (MDCS) refers to the credit score reported on the Borrower’s | more...

 
FHA Loans

November 15, 2017

Do The Same FHA Loan Requirements Apply To All Borrowers? Part Two

By Bruce Reichstein

Do the same FHA loan requirements apply to all borrowers? We have been examining that question in recent posts. FHA home loan rules were written to accommodate a variety of circumstances. There’s no true “one size fits all” home loan, so there are different regulations for different situations. The basic standards apply to all, but there are situational factors where some rules apply to certain borrowers that won’t apply to others. But what does this mean? FHA FICO Score Requirements Borrowers with qualifying FICO scores are eligible for maximum financing, which would include a minimum 3.5% down payment based on the adjusted value of the property. But the rules change for those who do not have FICO scores that meet the minimum requirement. Those with FICO scores below 580 will | more...

 
Buying A Home with an FHA Loan

October 12, 2017

Am I Eligible For An FHA Loan Even Though I Have Had Credit Problems?

By Bruce Reichstein

Am I eligible for an FHA loan even though I have had credit problems? Borrowers often worry their credit scores or credit history aren’t good enough to qualify for an FHA mortgage loan, but what is the reality? What do FHA loan rules say about credit and your ability to borrow? FHA Loans For Borrowers After Bankruptcy FHA home loans are possible for those who have a bankruptcy on their credit history, but there is a mandatory waiting period and the duration of that wait depends on the nature of your filing. The mandatory waiting period begins when the bankruptcy is discharged, NOT when it is initially filed. FHA Loans For Borrowers After Foreclosure, Deed-In-Lieu Of Foreclosre, Or Short Sale Borrowers with foreclosure or short sale activity on their credit | more...