A Qualified Mortgage Consultant Can Help Boost Credit ScoresConsumers interested in purchasing or refinancing a home will pay an interest rate based on current market conditions and their ability to pay back the loan. The borrower's income and debt ratios are taken into consideration by the lender, as well as the predictability factor provided by credit scoring. It's important to have a mortgage professional in your corner that has a keen eye for solutions to improving credit scores in an effort to get the best interest rate possible. Interest rates associated with various loan programs are broken down into schedules based on credit score ratings. While each lender has its own guidelines, it's safe to assume that as the consumer's credit score goes down, interest rates will go up. A borrower with an outstanding credit rating will get what is called an A-paper loan. This type of borrower is rewarded with a lower interest rate because they have a proven track record of using credit sensibly and paying their bills on time. Loans designed for consumers with less-than-perfect credit - sometimes referred to as "sub-prime" - can range anywhere from A-minus, B-paper, C-paper or D-paper loans. If you have already taken out a mortgage loan with a higher interest rate because your credit score was a little under par, you will really appreciate the value in doing a little work to improve your credit score. Refinancing from a D-paper loan to a B-paper classification can save literally thousands of dollars in financing fees over time, even though the B-paper loan is still considered sub-prime. A qualified mortgage consultant will guide you through the nuances of the process of improving your credit score to refinance and save money. First and foremost, he or she will want to review the terms of the existing mortgage loan to determine if you have a pre-payment penalty clause written into your contract. In general terms, that means that if you sell the home or try to refinance before the pre-payment penalty expires and you have not already paid off 20 percent of the original loan amount, you will most likely have to pay a 3 percent fee back to the lender to compensate for the high risk and high costs incurred to provide that financing. Next, you should obtain free copies of your credit reports from www.annualcreditreport.com and start working on improving the credit score six months prior to the expiration date on your existing pre-payment penalty. There are five factors that make up the credit score and your mortgage consultant can coach you through some basic strategies to improve your credit score. This means very conservative use of credit cards, paying off debt as much as possible and not applying for additional credit cards unless you will benefit from such action. You will want to verify that negative items you have paid off are being removed from your credit report, and that good credit history is being reported to all three bureaus. You'll also want to dispute any errors that appear on your credit reports and seek to have those removed entirely. Once your credit score improves, it's time to refinance at a better interest rate. Your mortgage professional should look for a program that carries no more than a two-year prepayment penalty so you can continue to refinance as your credit score increases. You can repeat this process until you reach A-paper status and secure the best interest rate available. This is a strategy that also works well for first time home buyers who do not have enough credit history under their belt to get an A-paper loan at the time of purchase. The important thing is to work with a mortgage consultant who can give you a roadmap to follow and a strategy for success in building personal wealth. Mical Johnson is affiliated with Rock Financial, Inc., a Licensed Correspondent Mortgage Lender, Florida Department of Finance. Mr. Johnson hosts Home Buyer's Seminars which are open to the public each month in the TampaBay area in Florida. Seating is limited. To reserve your seat at the next event, call 813-833-2568 to RSVP and obtain a free copy of Mr. Johnson's Home Buyer Handbook. You can also contact him at http://www.TampaMortgageGuy.com He is also a contributing author at http://www.Debt-Free-Personal-Finance.com
MORE RESOURCES updated Tue. March / 19 / 2024 30-Year Mortgage Rates Move Higher for a Third Day Investopedia Pros And Cons Of Refinancing A Car Bankrate.com How to Refinance Your Mortgage NerdWallet Will Interest Rates Go Down in April 2024? | Mortgage Rates Forecast The Mortgage Reports Current Student Loan Interest Rates in March 2024 Business Insider Mortgage Relief and Mortgage Assistance Programs [2024 ] The Mortgage Reports Mortgage Rates This Week NerdWallet When to Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, March 16, 2024 | Rates Tick up Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, March 14, 2024 | Rates Are Still on Track to Go Down This Year Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, March 17, 2024 | Sticky Inflation is Keeping Rates Up Business Insider Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of March 2024 Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, March 13, 2024 | Rates Are Back Down Following Yesterday's CPI Report Business Insider Mortgage Rates Chart | Historical and Current Rate Trends The Mortgage Reports How Soon Can You Refinance a Mortgage? NerdWallet What Is An Interest-Only Mortgage? Bankrate.com Save up to $1,500 on a Mortgage Refinance With the New FHFA Program Business Insider Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders In 2024 Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, March 15, 2024 | Rates Drop for Second Week in a Row Business Insider Can You Refinance With No Income Verification in 2024? The Mortgage Reports Best Refinance Lenders of March 2024: Refinance Your Mortgage The Motley Fool Rates drop - Mortgage rates for March 11th, 2024 Bankrate.com Current mortgage refinance rates CNN Underscored When to Refinance Mortgage: Is it Time? - Buy Side from WSJ The Wall Street Journal Refinance Requirements: What You Need to Refinance Your Home in 2024 The Mortgage Reports Best Student Loan Refinance Companies In March 2024 The College Investor Mortgage Rates Dip Below 7%. Recent Homeowners Race To Refinance. Realtor.com News Cash-Out Refinancing: How It Works, When To Do It Bankrate.com Conventional Refinance Rates and Guidelines for 2024 The Mortgage Reports Current 15-year refinance rates — and lenders that offer them CNN Underscored How Soon Can You Refinance a Mortgage Loan? 2024 Rules The Mortgage Reports The best mortgage lenders for refinancing in March 2024 CNN Underscored How To Get Equity Out Of A Paid-Off House Bankrate.com How To Refinance An Underwater Mortgage Bankrate.com Mortgage Rate Forecast February 2024 Bankrate.com Will Mortgage Rates Go Down in 2024? What Homebuyers Should Expect Business Insider Office of Research blog: A look at cash-out refinance mortgages and their borrowers between 2013 to 2023 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau What Credit Score Do I Need To Refinance? Bankrate.com 30-year refinance rates: What to know CNN Underscored Should I Refinance My Mortgage Now? When to Refinance As Rates Drop Business Insider CFPB Releases Study of Refinance Mortgage Loans Between 2013 and 2023 Consumer Finance Monitor Mortgage Interest Rates Today, March 12, 2024 | Rates Are Down, and They May Drop Further in the Coming Months Business Insider Should You Refinance Halfway Through Your Mortgage? Bankrate.com How To Get The Best Refinance Rate Bankrate.com Mortgage Applications Increase By 7.1% Amid Rate Drop, Refinance Activity Spikes National Mortgage Professional The Sales Pitch for an 8% Mortgage: Buy Now, Refinance Later—for Free The Wall Street Journal Mortgage Interest Rates Today, March 11, 2024 | Rates Are Down. But High Inflation Could Send Them Back Up. Business Insider
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