Can I buy a house with a 628 credit score?
Yes, your 628 credit score can qualify you for a mortgage.
| Type of Credit | Do You Qualify? |
|---|---|
| Unsecured Credit Card | YES |
| Home Loan | YES (FHA Loan) |
| Personal Loan | MAYBE |
| Auto Loan | MAYBE |
For a conventional mortgage in California, you typically need a minimum score of at least 600. If you qualify for certain government-backed loans, however, you may be able to buy a home with a score as low as 500. Read on to learn about credit scores and how they affect your ability to make a home purchase.
For one thing, you're unlikely to qualify for a lender's best mortgage rates. Lenders typically reserve their top rates for borrowers with very good or exceptional credit scores. However, with a 683 credit score, you should qualify for rates on-par with national averages.
Charge mortgage insurance premiums at a reduced rate. Don't have a pre-set credit score but most lenders require 620+
Some types of mortgages have specific minimum credit score requirements. A conventional loan requires a credit score of at least 620, but it's ideal to have a score of 740 or above, which could allow you to make a lower down payment, get a more attractive interest rate and save on private mortgage insurance.
With a credit score of 580 or higher, you can qualify for an FHA loan to buy a home with a down payment of just 3.5%. These loans are guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration and have their downsides (such as mandatory FHA mortgage insurance), but can be a great option for those who want to become homeowners.
Your score falls within the range of scores, from 580 to 669, considered Fair. A 628 FICOยฎ Score is below the average credit score. Some lenders see consumers with scores in the Fair range as having unfavorable credit, and may decline their credit applications.
- Lower Your Credit Utilization Ratio. Credit utilization makes up the second-largest percentage of your credit score. ...
- Space Out New Credit Applications. ...
- Diversify Your Credit Mix. ...
- Keep Old Credit Cards Open. ...
- Make On-Time Payments.
To qualify for a conventional loan, you'll need a credit score of at least 620, though some lenders may choose to approve conventional mortgage applications only for borrowers with credit scores of 680 and up.
What is the easiest home loan to get?
Government-backed loan options, such as FHA, USDA and VA loans, are typically the easiest type of mortgage to get because they may have lower down payment and credit score requirements compared to conventional mortgage loans.
You can borrow $50,000 - $100,000+ with a 680 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans need at least a 580 FICO Score with at least a 3.5% down payment (which amounts to $10,500 on a $300,000 home). Conventional loans require a minimum FICOยฎ Score of 620 along with a 3% down payment (which amounts to $9,000 on a $300,000 home).
Credit score required: 620
Conventional loans are the most common type of mortgage, accounting for about 70% of the market. They usually require a 620 credit score, though some lenders will consider applicants with scores as low as 580.
If you follow the 2.5 times your income rule, you divide the cost of the home by 2.5 to determine how much money you need to earn annually to afford it. Based on this rule, you would need to earn $100,000 per year to comfortably purchase a $250,000 home.
Assuming you have enough in savings to cover the down payment, closing costs and cost of regular upkeep, yes, you probably could afford a $200K home on a $50K annual salary. Using our example above, the monthly mortgage payment on a $200K home, including taxes and insurance, would be about $1,300.
Conventional mortgages, like the traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage, usually require at least a 5% down payment. If you're buying a home for $200,000, in this case, you'll need $10,000 to secure a home loan.
You can borrow anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $100,000+ with a 620 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.
However, a credit score of 620 could qualify you for an FHA loan with a rate of 4.125%. This is a 0.75% drop from a score of 610, which could save you over $40,000 in interest payments on a $250,000 home. FHA loan applicants with a credit score of 620 or higher could qualify for down payment options starting at 3.5%.
| Average FICO 8 Score by Generation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Generation | 2022 | 2023 |
| Generation Z (ages 18-26) | 679 - Good | 680 - Good |
| Millennials (27-42) | 687 - Good | 690 - Good |
| Generation X (43-58) | 707 - Good | 709 - Good |
What disqualifies you from an FHA loan?
The three primary factors that can disqualify you from getting an FHA loan are a high debt-to-income ratio, poor credit, or lack of funds to cover the required down payment, monthly mortgage payments or closing costs.
Two lines of credit are necessary to apply for an FHA loan. However, in the event a borrower does not have sufficient credit on their credit report the FHA will allow substitute forms.
Credit score: While the FHA has set the minimum credit score at 500, many FHA-approved lenders require higher minimum FICO scores of at least 620. Down payment: While obtaining an FHA loan requires you to make a down payment, that payment doesn't necessarily have to come from your savings account.
- Check your credit reports.
- Pay all your bills on time.
- Focus on paying down your debts.
- Don't max out your credit cards.
- Maintain a variety of credit accounts.
Landlords generally prefer a minimum credit score of at least โgood,โ which is 670 to 739. A score at or above that range will make apartment applications easier. Still, even a โfairโ (580 to 669) or โpoorโ (300 to 579) score won't necessarily put the kibosh on your rental hopes.
