What Credit Score Do You Need To Buy A House?
There are many misconceptions about the credit score needed to buy a house. Recently, it was reported that 24% of renters believe they need a 780-800 credit score to be considered for a mortgage. The reality is they are misinformed!
Only 25% of the Americans have a FICO® Score between 740 and 800. Here is the breakdown according to Experian:
- 16% Very Poor (300-579)
- 18% Fair (580-669)
- 21% Good (670-739)
- 25% Very Good (740-799)
- 20% Exceptional (800-850)
Randy Hopper, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending for Navy Federal Credit Union said,
“Just because you have a low credit score doesn’t mean you can’t purchase a home. There are a lot of options out there for consumers with low FICO® scores,”
There are many programs available with low or no credit score requirement. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) now requires a minimum FICO® score of 580 if you want to qualify for the low down payment advantage. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not set a minimum credit score requirement, but most lenders require a score of at least 640. Veterans Affairs (VA) loans have no credit score requirement.
As you can see, none of them are above 700!
It is true that the average FICO® score for all closed loans in January was 726, but there are plenty of people taking advantage of the low credit score requirements. Here is the average FICO® Score of closed FHA Loans since April 2012 according to Ellie Mae:
As you can see, that number has been dropping for the last seven years. As a matter of fact, the average FHA Purchase FICO® Score reported in January 2019 was 675!
One of the challenges is that Americans are unsure about their credit score. They just assume that it is too low to qualify and do not double check. Credit.com confirmed that only 57% of individuals sought out their credit score at least once last year.
FICO® reported,
“Since October 2009, the average year-over-year FICO® Score has steadily and consistently increased, from a low of 686 in 2009 to the latest high of 704 as of 2018.”
Here is the increase in the average US FICO® Score over the same period of time as the graph earlier.
Bottom Line
At least 84% of Americans have a score that will allow them to buy a house. If you are unsure what your score is or would like to improve your score in order to become a homeowner, let’s get together to help you set a path to reach your dream!
Now’s a Great Time To Sell Your House
Now’s a Great Time To Sell Your House Thinking about selling your house? If you are, you might be weighing factors like today’s mortgage rates and your own changing needs to figure out your next move. Here’s something else to consider. According to the latest Home...
The Perks of Downsizing When You Retire
The Perks of Downsizing When You Retire Some Highlights If you’re about to retire, or just did, downsizing can be a good way to try to cut down on some of your expenses. Smaller homes typically have lower energy and maintenance costs. Plus, you may have...
The Top 5 Reasons You Need a Real Estate Agent when Buying a Home
The Top 5 Reasons You Need a Real Estate Agent when Buying a Home You may have heard headlines in the news lately about agents in the real estate industry and discussions about their commissions. And if you’re following along, it can be pretty confusing....
Boomers Moving Will Be More Like a Gentle Tide Than a Tsunami
Boomers Moving Will Be More Like a Gentle Tide Than a Tsunami Have you heard the term “Silver Tsunami” getting tossed around recently? If so, here’s what you really need to know. That phrase refers to the idea that a lot of baby boomers are going to move or downsize...
Utah Licensed Real Estate Agents
In the past, we have had over 30,000 Active licenses. At the End of 2023 here is where we stand. Data is sourced from the Utah Division of Real Estate 22, 853 Active Licensees Sales Agent - 18,517 Principal Broker - 2442 Branch Broker - 171 Inactive - 4016 In...
11 Must-Do Actions To Ensure A Smooth Transition Into Your New Residence
11 Must-Do Actions To Ensure A Smooth Transition Into Your New Residence Moving into a new residence marks a significant milestone that brims with excitement and potential. However, to translate this new beginning into a seamless transition, careful planning and a...
3 Helpful Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
3 Helpful Tips for First-Time Homebuyers Some Highlights Trying to buy your first home? If you’re worried about affordability today or the limited number of homes for sale, these tips can help. Look into homebuyer programs, expand your search area, and consider...
Short list of things that you must get rid of before moving
Embarking on a new chapter of your life by relocating to a different home can be an exciting yet daunting process. The key to ensuring a smooth and stress-free move lies in effective preparation and organization, of which a critical component is the pre-move purge....
What Are Experts Saying About the Spring Housing Market?
What Are Experts Saying About the Spring Housing Market? If you’re planning to move soon, you might be wondering if there'll be more homes to choose from, where prices and mortgage rates are headed, and how to navigate today’s market. If so, here's what the...
NAR Lawsuit Update – How does this effect Utah Realty?
NAR Lawsuit Update What we Know.... The NAR has reached a settlement agreement on the class action lawsuits relating to the offer of compensation rule. Details are in the link below. There is much to digest and more info and training will come out in the days ahead....