Your FICO Credit score is used by mortgage companies to determine how much of a risk you are for a home mortgage refinance loan. The lower your score, the more you will pay when mortgage refinancing. There are ways to improve your credit before applying and save money on your home mortgage refinance loan. Here are tips to help you polish your FICO score and qualify for a better mortgage refinancing interest rate.
FICO stands for “Fair Isaac Corporation,” named for the company that calculates your score. Fair Isaac evaluates the contents of your credit reports and assigns a numerical value to your credit worthiness. Because there are three companies that maintain records, you will have three FICO scores, one for each credit agency. Before you consider mortgage refinancing it is important to request credit reports from each credit reporting agency and carefully review your records for errors.
Any adverse information found in your credit reports will damage your FICO scores. Other factors that affect your FICO score include the length of time you have been using credit, the amount of available credit vs. your debts, negative credit information in your file, collections, any write-offs or bad debt. If you find mistakes in your credit history it is important to dispute the error and allow enough time for the correction to raise your FICO score before applying for a home mortgage refinance loan.
How to Improve Your FICO Score before Mortgage Refinancing
Improving your credit score takes time, there is no quick fix; however, there are steps you can take to raise your score. First, make sure you are paying all of your bills on time as 35% of your FICO score is based on your payment history. Fair Isaac also bases 30% of your FICO score on the amount of your debts and your available credit limit. The remaining factors include 15% based on the length of your credit history, 10% on the amount of recent inquires, and 10% on the type of credit accounts you use.
The items you can control prior to mortgage refinancing include paying your bills on time, maintaining low balances on your credit cards, and paying off negative information found in your credit reports. The more time you have to devote to improving your credit score, the more you can boost your FICO Score. If you are a homeowner with poor credit you want to devote at least six months to improving your FICO score before applying for a home mortgage refinance loan. You can learn more about your credit and how it affects mortgage refinancing by registering for a free mortgage tutorial.
By: Louie Latour
Posts Tagged ‘Credit Reports’
Home Mortgage Refinance Loan: Your FICO Score & Mortgage Refinancing
March 4th, 2010Which Refinance Mortgage Loan Deals Are Easy to Process?
December 24th, 2009
So you want a finger in that refinance mortgage loan. After all, it’s fast becoming the talk of the town. The problem is, you’re daunted by the process that comes with it. Now you’re wondering, what are the easiest deals to come by so far?
You might want to consider the many types of refinance mortgage. They are by far the simplest and easiest to process.
Fixed Rate Refinance
As opposed to the specialty type (like adjustable rate mortgage), this type of loan is much easier to come by. To qualify for an adjustable rate, you will have to meet up with generally higher standards. You will have to have a higher income, better credit reports, and a more valuable home equity.
A fixed rate mortgage loan may be just what you need. With this type of refinance loan, you deal with a fixed interest rate for the whole credit term, as opposed to an adjustable mortgage interest rate wherein you are subject to the inconsistencies of the market. If the economy is not in good shape, then you’ll have to prepare yourself for burgeoning interest rates. So basically, you get peace of mind and stability with the loan as bonus.
Closed Refinance
Another type of refinance that is easy to qualify for is the closed refinance mortgage loan. Now what is this? It’s the type of loan wherein you are not allowed to make prepayments or to pay off your loan in advance. You may want to do prepayments if you suddenly find yourself with a lot of extra cash and with the desire to pay out your loan to avoid interest fees. With a closed mortgage loan, your lender will only allow you to do this for a fee.
It’s much easier to close this kind of deal, though, as opposed to an open refinance mortgage. The latter allows you to pay out without fees, but it’s not easy to qualify for them. You will have to have a more inviting income, credit report, and home equity.
Long Term Refinance
Another refinance mortgage loan that is easier to qualify for is the long-term loan. Now what would make for a long-term loan? It’s the type of loan that lasts for 6 years or more. It usually lasts for up to 10 years, though there are those that reach until 25 years.
Short-term are more advantageous in that they offer lower rates. But then again, they are not easy to come by. Yet again, you will have to have better income, better credit reports, and better home equity.
But the qualification process may just be the least of your worries. Getting a deal closed and getting just the right deal are two different things. You may have gotten your refinance mortgage without much sweat, only to encounter serious problems when you are already in it. Do not go for a deal only for its expediency. Be very scrutinizing.
By: Rony Walker
Renovation Refinance Loans
November 6th, 2009
Owning a house is a dream with which every American lives. However, many times borrowers find their dreams getting into jeopardy due to subprime mortgage loans. Mortgage refinancing is an effective means to get over such financial crisis. However, it is not only subprime borrowers who can make use of mortgage refinancing option. Mortgage refinancing is the most preferred choice for getting finances in order to make amendments in the house. Apart from mortgage refinancing, lenders are now providing loans for home improvement through renovation refinance loans.
Real estate markets are constantly changing. Homes that are fitted with latest amenities, and are well-maintained, well-furnished and aptly decorated, are being greatly preference. Renovation refinance loans provide financial assistance in situations where one had already used most of the equity built up over the years on the home.
There are certain factors that influence the loan amount in renovation refinance loans. The foremost factor is the loan amount required for making amendments. However, the lender should be convinced that the home value would increase if the desired improvements are made in the home. Refinance renovation loans are offered at slightly higher interest rates.
Some of the basic documents that need to be presented to the lending agency or bank include a complete plan about the renovations, architectural drawings showing the renovations, income values, credit reports and employment records. The loan amount is disbursed in six equal installments. Accordingly, the borrower is required to divide the entire construction into six equal stages. Before disbursing each installment amount, the work completed till that stage is completely reviewed by the bank authorities. One advantage of these loans is that interest for the first six months is folded into overall loan. Hence, the borrower is not required to make any mortgage monthly payments during the initial six months.
By: Pauline Go