How your Credit Score can impact Home Ownership
Your credit score is an important part of your financial profile. It has a direct impact on your ability to take out loans. The score itself is a numerical reflection of your credit history. It gives mortgage lenders a way to discern your reliability before approving a loan. Though this is the basic function of a credit score, it can also have a far-reaching influence over other aspects of home ownership.
Mortgage Loan Approval — Will your score make the cut?
First and foremost, the status of your credit score is a deciding factor in whether or not you are approved for a loan. You can search homes for sale in Owen Sound and put down a large down payment on the prefect property — but a low credit score can still cause the loan to be rejected on that house. For this reason, it is best to wait until you have built up a good credit score before you begin searching for homes for sale.
Mortgage Interest Rates — The lower the score the higher the rate.
High interest rates are another reason to hold off on searching for homes for sale until you have obtained a very good credit score. While applying for a loan with the minimum credit score required might get the loan approved, it also means having to pay higher interest rates. Shooting for a credit score above the bare minimum before applying for a mortgage loan will increase the likelihood of receiving a much lower interest rate. A higher credit score demonstrates a credit history of timely payments and the ability to successfully pay off debts, which are key factors in a mortgage approval.
Homeowners Insurance Approval and Premium Rates
An insurance broker running a credit check might seem a little out of the ordinary, but in actuality when it comes to home insurance, companies frequently run credit checks on prospective clients. When an insurance company inquires about your credit history, all they receive is your credit score and nothing more. The nitty-gritty details of your credit history will always remain private.
So, why are insurance companies running a credit check in the first place? Credit scores are an integral part of the scoring system they use to determine premium rates for each client. Though your credit score might seem irrelevant in determining how likely you are to file an insurance claim, the industry argues that there is a documented connection between those who are more likely to file insurance claims and the lowly state of their credit scores. This trend has led insurance providers to offer higher insurance premiums to those with lower credit scores. In some cases companies may refuse to insure a client based on a poor credit rating.
Credit scores have a profound influence over financial transactions. Your ability to make a large purchase like a new Owen Sound home can be severely hindered by a poor credit score. If you have a low credit score, consider taking some time to repair your credit history before applying for large loans. Correct any lingering errors on your credit report and get into the habit of making consistent, timely bill payments. Addressing these issues can dramatically improve your credit score within a year's time, putting you in a much better position to tackle home ownership and giving you the freedom to search homes for sale in Owen Sound to find that house of your dreams.
Mortgage and Real Estate related Questions
If you have concerns about how your credit score can hinder your home buying process, give one of our agents a call. Their knowledge of local Owen Sound real estate and mortgage loans can help you answer any questions and concerns you may have.
