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In this article, we will cover the correlation between credit card balance vs credit scores. There are mortgage guidelines on credit score requirements. The first step in qualifying for a particular mortgage loan program is to meet the minimum credit score requirements. The higher the credit scores, the lower the borrower’s mortgage rates.

It is best to maximize your credit scores before applying for a mortgage. Borrowers need to realize there is a correlation between credit card balance vs credit scores. High credit card balances will be lower credit scores. To quickly increase credit scores to boost credit scores, paying down all of our credit card balances to under a 10% utilization ratio is best recommended.

What Are The Minimum Credit Score Requirements To Get a Mortgage?

There are minimum credit score requirements to qualify for individual mortgage loan programs. This section will cover the minimum credit score guidelines for loan programs. HUD requires a minimum credit score of 580 FICO to qualify for 3.5% down payment home purchase loans.

Mortgage applicants can qualify for FHA loans with under 580 FICO and down to a 500 credit score. Borrowers with an under 580 credit score need to put a 10% down payment on a home purchase. Homebuyers can qualify for FHA loans with a minimum of 500 FICO. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac require 620 credit scores to qualify for Conventional loans. Most lenders require a 620 credit score for FHA 203k Rehab Loans.

VA Credit Score Requirements on VA Loans

The VA has lenient agency mortgage guidelines on VA loans. There are no minimum credit score requirements on VA loans. The VA has no maximum debt-to-income ratio caps on VA loans as long as the borrower can get approve/eligible per the automated underwriting system.

The automated underwriting system will render an approve/eligible per AUS with a high DTI if the borrower has high residual income and timely payments in the past 12 months.

The Minimum Credit Score Requirements on VA Loans

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not have a minimum credit score requirement. But most VA Lenders prefer 580 FICO for VA Loans as part of their overlays. Jumbo Lenders require 680 FICO credit scores. Gustan Cho Associates has alternative financing for Jumbo Loans down to 500 credit scores.

Portfolio Lenders require 680 credit scores for condotel financing and non-warrantable condo loan programs. Fannie Mae 5 to 10 Financed Properties require 720 credit scores. No Doc Investment Property Loans require 660 FICO. No Doc Fix And Flip Rehab Loans require 600 credit scores.

Impact on Credit Card Balance vs Credit Scores For Mortgage

For those with low credit scores and who need to boost their credit scores to qualify for a mortgage loan, there are quick fixes on how credit card usage impacts credit scores. There is a correlation between credit card balance versus credit scores. Maxed-out credit cards will plummet credit scores.

One way to boost credit scores is to pay down your credit cards to a $10 balance. If the credit limit is $2,000 and the credit card balance is $1,900, credit scores can instantly increase by paying down the credit card balance. There is a correlation between credit card balance vs credit scores. You can maximize your credit scores to qualify for a mortgage by always leaving a small balance on a credit card.

Adding New Credit Will Increase Credit Scores

Consumers with no credit tradelines will normally have low credit scores. Consumers can easily get credit scores of over 700 FICO one year after bankruptcy and foreclosure if they have added new credit cards. Consumers should get three secured credit cards with at least a $500 credit limit for maximum credit score potential.

There is a correlation between credit card balance vs credit scores. Never have a zero balance because part of the credit scoring model is when credit bureaus will take the credit card balance and divide it by the credit limit. The smaller the factor, the better credit scores consumers will get. When dividing anything into zero, it yields a zero, so a $10 dollar balance on each credit card is recommended.

The Power of Credit Cards To Boost Credit Scores

Consumers with only have two credit cards should get another credit card. Consumers who filed for bankruptcy or had a prior foreclosure, have no credit, and whose credit scores are in the mid 500s should get three secured credit cards and leave $10 dollar balances in there. Credit scores should increase by 30 points per credit card.

The overall credit score should increase by 100 points by having the three secured cards over the course of time. Anything under a $500 credit limit has little effect. As consumers make timely payments on secured credit cards and as they age the cards, the consumer will develop a stronger credit profile. With timely monthly payments made by consumers, secured credit card companies will increase credit card holders’ credit limits over time without requiring an additional deposit.

Secured Credit Cards Tool To Increase Credit Scores

Credit cards are the best tool to re-establish and rebuild credit. Secured credit cards are the fastest way consumers can boost their credit scores. By utilizing credit cards to boost credit scores. For those who do not have any credit cards, adding one secured credit card can boost their credit scores by at least 20 to 30 points. The higher the credit limit, the better.

For maximum credit score optimization, consumers should get at least a $500 credit limit on each secured credit card. Any credit limits under $500 will have little impact. Never be late on secured credit card payments. Secured credit card companies will report payment history like unsecured credit cards on credit bureaus. Late payments on secured credit cards will plummet consumer credit scores and remain on credit reports for seven years.

Update on Correlation Between Credit Card Balance vs Credit Scores

This mortgage blog article post on the correlation between credit card balance vs credit scores was updated on December 9th, 2022. Homebuyers planning on getting pre-approved for a mortgage should make sure that they pay down their credit cards and leave a $10 dollar balance on them.

Maxed-out credit cards will plummet credit scores temporarily. Low credit scores will not just disqualify someone from qualifying for a mortgage, but low credit scores will affect mortgage interest rates borrowers will get. Low credit card balances are key to having high credit scores and qualifying for a mortgage with lower interest rates.

This article on the correlation between credit card balance vs credit scores was updated on December 9th, 2022.

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