It's remarkable how a slight change in your credit score can determine whether you land your dream home or settle for something less—all because of their influence on mortgage interest rates and terms.

How can a few little numbers make such a huge impact on your wallet? And, more importantly, how can you take control and make it work in your favor?

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned homeowner, it's crucial to understand the relationship between how your credit score affects your mortgage options. And that's exactly what we're going to explore today.

How Does Your Credit Score Affect Your Mortgage Loan Application?

Your credit score plays a huge role in determining the type of mortgage loan you qualify for and the pricing that you're eligible for. 

But why? Because it's simple a way for lenders to gauge how reliable you are at repaying your debts. See, your credit score is a compilation of multiple factors, such as:

• You payment history
• How much debt you have (also known as your utilization)
• How long you've been using credit
• The different types of loans/credit you have
• When you apply for new credit

Each of these factors carries a different weight in calculating your credit score, and they can influence your eligibility for a mortgage loan in different ways.

When lenders pull your score for a mortgage, they use it to assess the level of risk involved in lending you money.

A high credit score tells lenders you're a responsible borrower and have a track record of paying back your loans. This typically results in more favorable loan terms, such as lower interest rates and fees. 

A lower credit score, on the other hand, signals that you might be struggling financially and can result in less accommodating loan terms or even rejection.

For example, a borrower with a credit score of 700 will have access to a wide range of mortgage products, such as FHA, Conventional, Non-QM, Jumbo loans, and more. They will also receive better rates depending on how much they put down. 

In contrast, a borrower with a 540 credit score will be limited to an FHA loan only, and they will carry higher interest rates throughout the duration of the loan (unless they refinance later on)and a larger down payment. 

What Is Considered A Good Credit Score For A Mortgage?

The answer to this question depends on the type of loan you are applying for because each loan has its own credit score requirements. Some loans are more lenient, and lending requirements vary from lender to lender. 

Let's look at different types of loans and the credit scores you need to secure that type of loan.

1. Conventional Loans

Unlike government loans, conventional loans are offered by private lenders, credit unions, and banks. They are arguably the most common loans that potential homebuyers try to obtain because they often come with the best rates and terms. 

Conventional loans are best suited for borrowers with a stable income, a strong employment history, a reasonable down payment, and a good credit score. 

To qualify for this type of loan, you'll need a credit score of at least 620, but ideally, your score should be around 700 or higher to get the most competitive rates and terms.

2. Non-qualified Mortgage (Non-QM) Loans

If you don't fit into the conventional lending box, a non-QM (non-qualified mortgage) loan may be your ticket to homeownership. Non-QM loans are not backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and are typically offered by private lenders.

These loans are designed for borrowers with unusual situations, like self-employed individuals or those with non-traditional income sources.

Non-QM loans have more flexible lending requirements than traditional loans, such as higher debt-to-income ratios and lower credit scores. But, they also have higher interest rates and fees to compensate for the increased risk to the lender. 

The credit score requirements will vary depending on the lender, but potential borrowers can qualify for these loans with a minimum credit score of 600. To get the best rates and terms, you'll need a score of 700 or more. 

3. Jumbo Loans

Jumbo loans are a type of mortgage that exceeds conforming loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac. As of 2023, these loan limits are $726,200 and $1,089,300 in high-cost areas.

Due to the higher amounts of money involved, these loans are riskier for lenders, and they will need to see higher credit scores to approve you. 

While the requirements for jumbo loans will vary from lender to lender, you should expect to have a credit score of at least 660 and strong proof of income. 

Ideally, you want your credit score to be around 720 or higher to increase your chances of approval and securing better loan terms.

4. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Loans

FHA loans are government-backed loans designed specifically to help borrowers with less-than-perfect credit scores. 

Since they have more lenient lending requirements than conventional loans, such as lower down payment requirements and more flexible debt-to-income ratios, they are a perfect fit for first-time home buyers and those who have struggled to obtain a loan in the past.

It's important to note that FHA loans may also require mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) that can increase your monthly payments. It's best to try and repair your credit score to secure better loan terms.

You can obtain these types of loans with a credit score as low as 500, but you'll need to have a 10% down payment. To get even better rates and terms, like 3.5% down, you'll need a credit score of at least 580.

5. Veterans Administration (VA) Loans

VA loans are government-backed loans exclusively available to eligible veterans, service members, and spouses.

Since these loans are designed to assist armed forces members and their families, they offer competitive interest rates, no down payment requirements, and no mortgage insurance premiums.

While there are no specified credit minimums for VA loans, most lenders prefer a score of at least 620, but anything over 660 is ideal. 

6. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Loans

USDA home loans are a type of government-backed loan designed to encourage homeownership in rural communities. They are best suited for low-to-moderate-income borrowers looking to purchase a home in qualifying rural areas.

Sometimes, USDA loans do not require a down payment from eligible borrowers. However, additional fees include an upfront charge of 1% of the loan amount (typically financed into the loan) and an annual fee.

A credit score of 640 is usually required for a USDA loan. However, the USDA doesn't have a minimum credit score, so borrowers with scores below 640 may still be eligible for a USDA-backed mortgage.

How Does Your Credit Score Affect Your Mortgage Pricing?

Credit scores don't just determine what types of loans you qualify for, but they also determine the overall price of your mortgage, as it directly impacts your interest rates, terms, and fees.

Let's take a closer look at how your credit score affects mortgage pricing:

• Interest Rates: The interest rate is the most noticeable impact of your credit score on mortgage pricing. Even a small difference in interest rates can accumulate to a substantial amount over time.
• Down Payment Requirements: Those with higher credit scores are more likely to qualify for mortgages that require a lower down payment. Those with lower credit scores might need a larger down payment, potentially making it more challenging to afford the home you want.
• Mortgage Insurance: If you cannot make a down payment of at least 20%, you'll typically need mortgage insurance. Borrowers with higher credit scores often qualify for lower mortgage insurance premiums, which can reduce your mortgage cost.
• Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV): Your credit score can also affect the loan-to-value ratio lenders offer. If you have limited funds for a down payment, a higher credit score may allow you to borrow a higher percentage of the home's value.
• Closing Costs and Fees: Borrowers with high credit scores may qualify for lower closing costs and fees. It can help reduce the upfront costs of obtaining a mortgage.

Let's look at a hypothetical situation that demonstrates how your credit score impacts mortgage pricing:

Imagine two potential homebuyers, Alice and Bob, who want to purchase a $300,000 home with a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. They each have a 10% down payment saved up.

Alice has an excellent credit score of 760, while Bob's score is a fair 620. Because of this, Alice's mortgage has a 5.0% interest rate, and Bob is offered a 6.0%.

Over the lifespans of their mortgages, Alice would pay approximately $279,017 in interest, while Bob would incur roughly $347,154 in interest. That's about a $68,000 difference in interest payments alone!

Now, let's say each homeowner had to pay mortgage insurance because they put less than 20% down. But Alice's higher credit score lets her qualify for a premium of 0.5% per year, while Bob has to pay 1.0% per year.

Assuming mortgage insurance is required for the first 10 years of the mortgage, Alice would pay approximately $11,550 in mortgage insurance. Bob would pay an estimated $23,100.

As you can see, Bob pays more than $79,000 over the life of his loan compared to Alice.

Tips To Increase Your Credit Score

Your credit score can change every month, and even a small change can make a big difference in your mortgage rate. Here are some tips to make sure your credit stays in tip-top shape:

• Review your credit report: Mistakes can happen, so checking your credit report for errors is essential. Dispute any inaccuracies you find to ensure your score accurately reflects your credit history.
• Timely bill payments: Consistently paying your bills on time and in full is crucial to maintaining a high credit score. This shows lenders that you're a responsible borrower.
• Credit utilization: Keep an eye on your credit utilization ratio, the percentage of your available credit currently used. Aim to keep it below 30% to demonstrate responsible credit management.
• Manage credit accounts: Avoid opening new credit accounts or closing existing ones unless absolutely necessary. Closing accounts can hurt your credit score by reducing your overall credit limit, while opening new accounts may indicate a higher risk to lenders.
• Work with a trusted partner: Sometimes, you need a little help fixing your credit, and that's okay. Working with specialists to repair your credit can go a long way in helping you obtain the mortgage of your dreams. 

Boost Your Credit Score with Modern Day Lending

Repairing your credit takes time and effort, but it's worth it in the long run. You can save thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage by just having a slightly higher credit score. So, don't ignore the mortgage-credit score relationship.

If you are looking for a way to repair your credit so that you can get competitive mortgage rates, consider Modern Day Lending.

Helping people is what we do. We provide credit repair services by researching consumer credit laws, credit bureau strategies, and sticking with you. We work with credit bureaus and creditors to remove negative remarks from your credit report, raising your credit score.

Thanks to our decade of experience, we can help people who don't meet the traditional lending requirements access home loans. Even if you're missing some paperwork, have credit issues, or can't prove your income, we can still help you.

Contact a member of our team today and take the first steps towards improving your credit score and getting the mortgage you deserve.