Understanding Impact Credit Scores in the Home-Buying process is crucial if you’re considering purchasing a home. Your credit score is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage.

Importance of Credit Scores

“A credit score isn’t the only deciding factor on your mortgage application, but it’s a significant one. So, when you’re house shopping, it’s important to know where your credit stands and how to use it to get the best mortgage rate possible.”

Median Credit Score and Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates are a key factor in affordability, making your credit score even more important to your homebuying plans. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the median credit score in the U.S. for those taking out a mortgage is 770. However, perfection is not necessary. As explained by US Bank:

“Your credit score (commonly called a FICO Score) can range from 300 at the low end to 850 at the high end. A score of 740 or above is generally considered very good, but you don’t need that score or above to buy a home.”

Lender Considerations

Working with a trusted lender is crucial to understanding how your credit score could factor into your home loan and the mortgage rate you’re able to get. Each lender has its own strategy, as FICO states:

“While many lenders use credit scores like FICO Scores to help them make lending decisions, each lender has its own strategy, including the level of risk it finds acceptable. There is no single “cutoff score” used by all lenders and there are many additional factors that lenders may use to determine your actual interest rates.”

Tips for Improving Credit Score

If you’re looking for ways to improve your score, Experian highlights some key areas to focus on:

• Payment History: Late payments can have a negative impact by dropping your score. Focus on making payments on time and paying any existing late charges quickly.
• Debt Amount: When it comes to your available credit amount, the less you’re using, the better. Focus on keeping this number as low as possible.
• Credit Applications: Avoid applying for new credit, which can result in hard inquiries on your credit that may lower your score.

Conclusion

Finding ways to make your credit score better could help you secure a lower mortgage rate. For more information, consult with a trusted lender. Understanding how credit scores influence the home-buying process empowers you to take proactive steps toward achieving your homeownership goals.

Recently I recorded this video and you can find it on my socials @danielle_your_realtor or take the chance and watch it right below.

Reach out to us, and we’ll be delighted to assist you in finding your dream home. Stay tuned for all updates! Follow us on social media, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.…

Top Charlotte Real Estate Agent As Seen on House Hunters Charlotte guiding her buyer Lyndsay on her relocation.

 

Charlotte Real Estate Agent
Danielle Edwards

Selling Charlotte since 2006

danielleedwards@REMAX.net

704-604-2999

Maximizing Home Showing Access: Why It’s Crucial When Selling Your House

If you’re preparing to sell your house, ensuring ample access for potential buyers is key. Before listing your property, discussing access options with your agent is essential for maximizing buyer interest.

Spring Homebuying Season

Spring marks the peak season for homebuying, making accessibility even more critical. Opening your house to frequent showings during this period can significantly increase your chances of attracting motivated buyers.

Boosting Buyer Competition

Buyer competition intensifies in the spring, prompting them to act swiftly once they find your listing. Being readily available for showings during this time can lead to receiving competitive offers promptly.

Ensuring Presentation

Although accommodating showings may disrupt your schedule and require continuous tidying, the effort pays off. Ensuring your house is clean and tidy for each visit is crucial, as buyers expect a well-presented home.

Access Options

Your agent will guide you through various access options, prioritizing buyer convenience. These options range from providing a lockbox for easy entry to scheduling showings by appointment only, each offering different levels of flexibility.

Buyer Preferences

Buyers prefer homes with open access, allowing them to tour the property at their convenience. If your house is easily accessible, more prospective buyers are likely to view it, increasing your chances of a successful sale.

Alternative Options

Your agent will tailor the access strategy to suit your schedule and market demands. In cases where in-person visits aren’t feasible, alternative options like video tours and virtual showings can be explored.

Conclusion

In conclusion, maximizing home showing access is vital for selling your house effectively. By accommodating potential buyers and providing easy access to your property, you can attract more interest and secure the right offer. Let’s connect to discuss the best access strategy for your home sale.

Reach out to us, and we’ll be delighted to assist you in finding your dream home. Stay tuned for all updates! Follow us on social media, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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Top Charlotte Real Estate Agent As Seen on House Hunters Charlotte guiding her buyer Lyndsay on her relocation.

Why There Won’t Be a Recession That Tanks the Housing Market

There’s been a lot of recession talk over the past couple of years, leading to concerns of a housing market collapse akin to the 2008 financial crisis. However, expert projections suggest otherwise.

Expert Projections Show Economic Strength

Jacob Channel, Senior Economist at LendingTree, emphasizes the robustness of the economy, stating, “At least right now, the fundamentals of the economy, despite some hiccups, are doing pretty good. While things are far from perfect, the economy is probably doing better than people want to give it credit for.”

Most experts believe there won’t be a recession in the next 12 months. One reason why is the current unemployment rate. Let’s compare where we are now with historical data from Macrotrends, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and Trading Economics. When we do, it’s clear the unemployment rate today is still very low (see graph below):

The orange bar shows the average unemployment rate since 1948 is about 5.7%. The red bar shows that right after the financial crisis in 2008, when the housing market crashed, the unemployment rate was up to 8.3%. Both of those numbers are much larger than the unemployment rate this January (shown in blue).

But will the unemployment rate go up? To answer that, look at the graph below. It uses data from that same Wall Street Journal survey to show what the experts are projecting for unemployment over the next three years compared to the long-term average (see graph below):

As you can see, economists don’t expect the unemployment rate to even come close to the long-term average over the next three years – much less the 8.3% we saw when the market last crashed.

Low Unemployment Rates

Most experts now believe that a recession within the next 12 months is unlikely, citing the current low unemployment rate as a significant factor. Historical data comparison reveals that the current unemployment rate remains relatively low compared to past averages and previous crisis periods.

Projected Stability in Unemployment Rates

Future projections also indicate sustained stability in unemployment rates, with economists forecasting rates to remain below historical averages over the next three years. This suggests that the risk of a significant increase in unemployment, which could lead to a wave of foreclosures, is minimal.

Bottom Line: Economic Stability

Experts are increasingly confident that a recession shortly is improbable. With low unemployment rates and projected stability, fears of a housing market crash similar to 2008 are unfounded. This indicates a resilient housing market that is unlikely to experience significant disruptions in the foreseeable future.

Reach out to us, and we’ll be delighted to assist you in finding your dream home. Stay tuned for all updates! Follow us on social media, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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Top Charlotte Real Estate Agent As Seen on House Hunters Charlotte guiding her buyer Lyndsay on her relocation.