When it comes to securing a mortgage, your credit score plays a crucial role in determining your eligibility and the terms of your loan. However, there isn’t one universal credit score, and the score you see online might not be the same as the one your lender pulls. Here we’ll shed some light on why your mortgage credit score may be different than you think.
Why Your Credit Score Matters
Your credit score reflects your history of managing credit and serves as a measure of your financial responsibility. Lenders often use credit scores to assess your creditworthiness and determine how much risk they would be taking on by lending to you. A higher score not only increases your chances of loan approval, but it could also lead to more favorable loan options, such as lower interest rates and higher borrowing limits. On the other hand, a lower credit score can result in higher interest rates or even a potential loan denial.
Mortgage vs. Consumer Credit Scores
There are dozens of credit scoring models used to determine your credit score, each resulting in a slightly different credit score. Mortgage lenders use specialized credit scoring models tailored specifically for home financing, prioritizing factors that are the most relevant to mortgage risk assessment. To protect the interest of the consumer, the mortgage industry is highly regulated by the government and lenders are naturally a little stricter when it comes to credit requirements.
While there are several factors that may affect your credit score, late payments, high credit card balances and recent credit inquiries may have a larger impact. If you’ve owned a home before, lender will also factor in your mortgage payment history, any previous mortgage delinquencies or foreclosure history.
Your credit score is only one of the factors lenders will review on a mortgage application, but maintaining a strong credit profile can really make a difference! The best way to keep your credit score in good standing – regardless of the scoring model – is to always pay your bills on time, limit your revolving debt and review your credit report annually for errors.
