How Does Getting A Mortgage Affect Your Credit Score?

Advice to Consumers Who Apply for Loan with Low Credit Score

The best advice home buyers could heed is to freeze the time. Do not touch a single thing! Once you start mortgage process, don’t apply for any sort of new credit. On the safer side, do not close any accounts either. Do not change employment or switch from salaried earnings to commissions. Any of this can ding your credit scores. Your mortgage loan processing representatives may jump to conclusion you are being dishonest by hiding new debt post application.

Here are 4 reasons to consider seriously when applying for a mortgage affect your credit score negatively,

1) Why You’re Mortgage Interest Rate Could Be Higher

• Customer’s debt to income ratio is processed to produce a projected cash flow – total debt payments based on historical and projected income
• Opening new credit line after application may send you over the top from where lenders see you as comfortable with debt payments
• Mortgage lenders have different tiers to determine interest rates
• Several factors affect customers’ overall risk level
• New purchases with monthly payments or credit loans affect credit scores and debt to income ratio negatively

2) You Could Lose Your Mortgage

• Applying for new credit during mortgage application to approval process lowers credit scores and increases interest rates.
• Some lenders reject mortgage application if customers apply for new credit elsewhere.
• Do not assume you are in clear because your application is done and accepted.
• Mortgage lenders have to re-check credit scores on closing day. Score below cut off makes them reject mortgage outright.
• Especially true for customers who bare make the grade. Opening any new credit card or installment loan spells doom.

3) What to Do If You Are Shopping Around

• Lenders always advise applicants to avoid new loans or even shopping for car rates until mortgage is closed.
• Lenders run credit reports on customers shopping around. Pulling credit scores either at car dealerships or at other mortgage lenders hurt scores.
• Inform lenders you are shopping for best rate – request them to make a ‘soft search’ on your credit file.
• Do not sign any application giving lenders authority to pull CB score, which hurt credit.
• You may end up still making checks to your landlord instead of building equity in your home

When Does Applying for a Home Loan Affect Your Credit Score Not Become an Issue

Lenders recommend never applying for new loans during mortgage application to approval process. However, it will not be a ‘death sentence’ on good interest rates or being approved when:

• You have years of credit history and 800+ credit scores
• You have a long credit history of responsible consumer behavior
• Lenders view opening new credit card without doubt and only as chance to avail promotional offers

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