Your credit score is pivotal in determining whether you qualify for a home loan and the terms you’ll receive.
In this post, we’ll learn more about what a credit score is, why potential homeowners need to understand them, and how it impacts the approval of your home loan.
Why your credit score is important
In loan approvals, lenders use credit scores to determine the lending risk to borrowers. You ultimately risk having your home loan application rejected if you have a low credit score, while a high credit score boosts your likelihood of being accepted.
In other words, your credit score can make or break your application. It will determine whether you qualify for LMI discounts or waivers, low deposit home loans, among many other benefits.
Knowing this can aid in smoother home loan negotiations or help you understand why a lender turned you down.
But it doesn’t end there. Your credit score can also influence other loan terms and features, such as the length of the loan, the required down payment, and the maximum loan amount you qualify for.
Moreover, you may apply for a home loan to achieve financial flexibility. Guess what? A good credit score makes that possible! It lets you take advantage of possibilities like investing in real estate or launching a business by giving you access to credit when you need it most.
Many routinely check their credit scores using credit monitoring services or free annual credit reports. This enables borrowers to monitor their credit standing and spot errors or fraud.
Credit scores are not constant; they can alter in response to a person’s financial actions. Positive financial practices like on-time bill payments and debt reduction can raise scores. However, untimely payments or a rise in debt might bring the opposite.
How your credit score is calculated
The lender will view you as less risky if you have a higher credit score since it implies you can make regular repayments. Saving money and obtaining a better bargain could result from this, and a lower score will impact your ability to receive a loan or credit.
Your credit score is calculated using personal and financial information in your credit report.
Details such as the amount of money you’ve borrowed, how many credit applications you’ve submitted, and if you make timely payments are all factors in computing your credit score.
Your credit score will range from 0 to 1,000 or 1,200, depending on the credit reporting agency.
What about credit history?
Your credit history, also known as a credit report, is a thorough account of your financial decisions and credit-related activity. It gives a detailed picture of how you handled your financial responsibilities and credit accounts.
Lenders, creditors, landlords, and other parties use credit histories maintained by credit reporting agencies to determine your creditworthiness.
A credit history or a credit report typically includes the following information:
- Personal information includes your name, address, birth date, and address.
- Your credit rating and credit score.
- Credit products such as loans and cash advances.
- Your repayment history which is details of whether you’ve made repayments on time or if you’ve had any late or missed payments on credit accounts.
- Court rulings, other legal actions, and bankruptcy all affect your creditworthiness.
- Defaults or your record of accounts with debts and payments that are 60 days or more past due.
- Credit report requests that credit providers have made about your credit report.
Your creditworthiness and financial prospects improve if you maintain a positive credit history by handling your debts properly, making on-time payments, and checking your credit report for accuracy.
Why do lenders check your credit score?
Credit scores are a tool that lenders use to evaluate a potential borrower’s creditworthiness quantitatively.
Credit scores give lenders a straightforward and unbiased way to assess the risk of lending money to a person or company. Generally speaking, a higher credit score represents a lesser risk of loan default, while a lower score denotes a higher risk.
Frequently, lenders set minimal credit score requirements for different loan types. These conditions must usually be met or exceeded for a loan to be approved. An application might only be approved for a loan if the credit score is within the lender’s cutoff.
Lenders can evaluate applicants consistently and effectively, thanks to credit scores. Rather than manually examining comprehensive credit reports, lenders can swiftly compare credit scores to determine initial loan decisions.
How to improve your credit score
Improving your credit score is a gradual process that requires responsible financial management and patience. Better choices for loan applications, reduced interest rates, and increased financial stability can all result from a higher credit score.
Here are some tips you can take to improve your credit score:
- Don’t use your credit card excessively.
- Pay down all of your financial obligations on schedule.
- Pay off any defaults that appear on your credit report.
- Until you apply for a loan, continue working and living at your current address.
- You show you are good with money by consistently contributing to a savings account.
In most cases, our senior mortgage brokers, who specialise in credit restoration can help you get your score on the right track if you’re dealing with serious debt or credit issues.
As your financial behaviour and responsibility is reflected in your credit history, you should eventually notice increases in your credit score by making timely repayments and smart credit decisions. To track your progress, keep an eye on your credit reports on a standard basis.
How a mortgage professionals can help
Your credit score impacts your eligibility, interest rates, loan conditions, and overall housing affordability.
Your chances of obtaining an advantageous house loan that meets your financial objectives and enables you to realise your dream of homeownership might be improved by actively monitoring and repairing your credit.
Take the time to evaluate and raise your credit score before starting the home-buying process; this simple action can significantly impact how smoothly the process goes.
Working with a mortgage expert can be especially helpful if your credit score worries you. You can successfully traverse the complicated world of credit assessments with their experience and industry knowledge.
Call us at 1300 030 388 or fill out our online assessment form, and our senior mortgage specialists will take you through evaluating your credit score.
