Financial experts constantly warn consumers to keep their credit scores in tip-top shape if they’re planning to purchase a home in the near future. But even after you have a mortgage, your credit score is affected going forward.
The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to get the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:best mortgage rates. A mortgage calculator can show you💃 the impact that different rates can have on your monthly payment. Once you have a mortgage, making timely p♋ayments improves your credit score.
Key Takeaways
- Taking out a mortgage will temporarily hurt your credit score until you can prove your ability to repay the loan.
- Improving your score after taking on a mortgage involves consistently making your payments on time and keeping your debt-to-income ratio at a reasonable level.
- Mortgages help your credit score by improving your revolving and installment debt mix. This mix accounts for roughly 10% of your score.
The Initial Credit Score Hit
Your credit score is a numerical representation of your ability to pay back a debt 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:obligation you've taken on, so you can eꦍxpect your credit to take a hit right after you get a ne🍃w mortgage. Your score will remain low until you consistently repay the loan. You've taken on the largest loan obligation that most consumers will ever have, and you must actually make the payments as promised.
This temporary lowering of your score may make it difficult for you to get other loans or at least to 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:get a loan with ideal credit terms. Plan to wait at least six months before applyi♐ng for any loan of si🃏gnificant size.
Important
A mortgage is the pinnacle of consumer credit. You’re c💧onsidered a trustworthy borrower if you qualify for a mortgage.
Making Payments on Time
Making on-time payments every month can bring your score back up to its pre-mortgage level. Don’t sign up for those services that say they can raise your credit score fast. Instead, look for reputable credit repair companies if you need a little guidance. In the meantime, make your mortgage and all other payments on time. Your score will naturally rise over time aꩵs you prove you’re a responsible borrower.
Pay your bills on time and in full. Set up automatic payments through your b💧ank or with creditors so you never forge﷽t if life gets a little busy.
35%
The percentage of your score that represents your payment history, according to FICO, is 35%.
Impact When Building Your Credit History
Your 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:credit report measures your ability to pay back debts. You only earn so much money, so keeping your debt proportionate to your income is essential. This is called your 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:debt-to-income ratio.
Keeping your ratio no higher than 36%, with no more than 28% going to your mortgage, is considered ideal. Don’t take on other debt obligations if you know you'll purchase a home soon so you can keep your debt-to-income ratio reasonably low.
That said, you do want to continue building your 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:credit history. A little credit is better than no credit, and paying your mortgage 🎀on time is good for your credit history.
Missing Payments on Your Mortgage
The exact calculation of your credit score is a bit of a mystery. FICO publishes general guidelines to help consumers understand their scores, but nobody knows the specifics 😼of the calculation. However, the types of loans you have play a role in your score.
Your score won't be as high if your credit report contains only a bunch of credit card loans. A mix of revolving and installment debt, such as your mortgage, accounts for about 10% of your score.
The effect on your score won't be massive if you pay a credit card a little late, but expect your credit score to reflect the misstep if you don’t make your mortgage payment on time. Make the payment as soon and quickly as possible if you miss one. Your mortgage company may not report it to the credit bureaus if your payment is just a little late.
What Can I Do to Prevent My Credit Score From Dropping?
Of course, you'll want to continue to pay all your credit obligations on time. And it's generally not a good idea to take on other additional debt if you plan to apply for a mortgage soon. But you'll also want to avoid even applying for other debt, particularly in a short period, because this can also affect your credit score.
How Can I Find Out What My Credit Score Is?
Many banks, credit unions, or credit card issuers offer score estimates as a perk for having an account. You can ask your potential lender what it is if you've already applied for a mortgage. You also can reach out to FICO for a copy of your credit report, credit score, and score monitoring if you want to know what it is before applying for a mortgage. It will cost you from $29.95 to $39.95 a month as of February 2025, but this generally includes updates every month so you can keep track of how things are going. You also can 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:receive a free copy of your report, which does not include a score, from each of the three major credit bureaus once per week from AnnualCreditReport.com.
What Is a Poor Credit Score?
The exact number depends on which agency reports your score: FICO or VantageScore. In both cases, a "very poor" score falls into a range. Both agencies begin with a low of 300. VantageScore says your score is "very poor" if it is from 300 to 499. FICO's "very poor" range is 300 to 529. A "poor" score is generally considered to be anything under 600.
The Bottom Line
Debt that you take on fo𒊎r a home is considered responsible debt𒉰 as long as you pay your mortgage on time every month. Try to avoid making any other major purchases within six months of taking on a mortgage because your credit score will likely drop from the process of getting the loan.
A history of responsibly paying your mortgage and other bills should 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:bring your score back up. However, credit repair companies may be able to undo some of the damage should unavoidable circum𓆏stances lead to mul🏅tiple late payments, further damaging your score.