Before you buy a home, take these five recommended steps to boost your credit so you have the best chances of getting approved at a good interest rate.
1. Obtain a Copy of Your Credit Report
Errors, discrepancies, and just plain bad credit reports can sabotage your home buying process. Just when you think you’ve done everything you need to get a mortgage, your credit report disqualifies you or causes you to get a much higher interest rate than you can afford. It's important to keeping track of your credit reports and monitor them before you move forward with the mortgage approval process.
2. Offer Explanations for Anything Negative on Your Report
If you have negative credit listings, you have the right to offer a written explanation that will be added to your credit file. This will also show up on any credit report that a mortgage company pulls on you. Be sure to keep your explanation objective and concise, sticking only to the facts.
3. Pay All Existing Bills On Time
Since it will likely be a few months before your credit report is pulled by a mortgage lender, you have some time to increase the number of “on-time payments” that are reported by your creditors. Be sure to pay all your existing bills on time. This will help boost your credit score.
4. Avoid Asking for More Credit
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that more credit will raise your credit score. Your credit score is a highly complex calculation that takes into account how much available credit you have compared to your income. If you apply for more credit, this could negatively impact your credit score, not raise it.
5. Don’t Cancel Your Credit Cards
On the other hand, you may think that having fewer credit cards will help your credit score. Unfortunately, canceling your credit cards makes a note appear on your credit report that the card was canceled, but it doesn’t always state by whom. It could look like your card was canceled by your creditor, causing your score to drop.
If you're in the market for new homes or quick occupancy homes, contact Windmill Homes today. Our homes are located in prestigious neighborhoods throughout Southeast Michigan and our name is synonymous with traditional high-end residential design.