Loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) have more flexible credit criteria than conventional, non-government guaranteed loans. The FHA started providing an alternative to stringent mortgage loans in 1934, and it continues to aid borrowers with credit challenges to obtain financing from promising to repay lenders if borrowers default. The borrower, co-borrower and co-signer on a FHA loan should meet minimum credit score requirements to qualify.
The Basics
FHA-approved lenders adhere to particular credit guidelines outlined from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Handbook. They consider borrower credit history among one of the four significant factors influencing a borrower’s ability to repay a home loan. A credit score and report shows excessive credit obligations and any past failure to settle debts. A low credit score, delinquent and past due accounts, bankruptcy, and foreclosure are all red flags for lenders. The lender also considers income, assets and other obligations to determine whether the borrower is likely to repay the loan.
Credit Limits
FHA has a minimal credit requirement but not a maximum charge limitation. The highest possible credit score based on the most popular credit scoring program, FICO, is 850, and the smallest is 300. FHA requires borrowers to have a minimal 500 FICO score to obtain insurance. Such borrowers should contribute at least a 10 percent down payment. A borrower with a score of 580 or more qualifies for a loan with just a 3.5 percent down payment.
Benefits
FHA’s minimum score requirements benefit borrowers who have sufficient assets and income to repay a home loan debt but who would be denied under conventional lending criteria because of terrible credit. FHA insurance allows lenders to make loans to otherwise ineligible borrowers as they’re guaranteed repayment of the debt. FHA loans require an annual mortgage insurance premium that the borrower pays monthlypayments. The increased down payment requirement for borrowers with very bad credit offsets danger for FHA and the lending company.
Expert Insight
Improve your credit score before applying for a FHA loan by eliminating inaccuracies and unpaid collections from your accounts. Such items affect the standard of your loan, specifically the interest rate and your loan limitation. A score below 580 takes more money out-of-pocket at closing and a higher monthly payment over the repayment term. By removing negative accounts and high-balance credit accounts, you also enhance the maximum loan amount. The lender counts fewer monthly obligations, raising the amount you’re able to put toward a housing payment.