Buying Tips
What Credit Score Do You Really Need To Buy a Home?
According to Fannie Mae, 90% of buyers don’t actually know what credit score lenders are looking for, or they overestimate the minimum needed.
Let that sink in. That means most homebuyers think they need better credit than they actually do – and maybe you’re one of them. And that could make you think buying a home is out of reach for you right now, even if that’s not necessarily true. So, let’s look at what the data really says about credit scores and homebuying.
There’s No One Magic Number
There’s no universal credit score you absolutely have to have when buying a home. And that means there’s more flexibility than most people realize. Check out this graph showing the median credit scores recent buyers had among different home loan types:
Here’s what’s important to realize. The numbers vary, and there’s no one-size-fits-all threshold. And that could open doors you thought were closed for you. The best way to learn more is to talk to a trusted lender. As FICO explains:
“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 . . .”
Why Your Score Still Matters
When you buy a home, lenders use your credit score to get a sense of how reliable you are with money. They want to see if you typically make payments on time, pay back debts, and more.
Your score can impact which loan types you may qualify for, the terms on those loans, and even your mortgage rate. And since mortgage rates are a big factor in how much house you’ll be able to afford, that may make your score feel even more important today. As Bankrate says:
“Your credit score is one of the most important factors lenders consider when you apply for a mortgage. Not just to qualify for the loan itself, but for the conditions: Typically, the higher your score, the lower the interest rates and better terms you’ll qualify for.”
That still doesn’t mean your credit has to be perfect. Even if your credit score isn’t as high as you’d like, you may still be able to get a home loan.
Want To Boost Your Score? Start Here
And if you talk to a lender and decide you want to improve your score (and hopefully your loan type and terms too), here are a few smart moves according to the Federal Reserve Board:
- Pay Your Bills on Time: This is a big one. Lenders want to see you can reliably pay your bills on time. This includes everything from credit cards to utilities and cell phone bills. Consistent, on-time payments show you’re a responsible borrower.
- Pay Down Your Debt: When it comes to your available credit amount, the less you’re using, the better. Focus on keeping this number as low as possible. That makes you a lower-risk borrower in the eyes of lenders – making them more likely to approve a loan with better terms.
- Review Your Credit Report: Get copies of your credit report and work to correct any errors you find. This can help improve your score.
- Don’t Open New Accounts: While it might be tempting to open more credit cards to build your score, it’s best to hold off. Too many new credit applications can lead to hard inquiries on your report, which can temporarily lower your score.
Bottom Line
Your credit score doesn’t have to be perfect to qualify for a home loan. But a better score can help you get better terms on your home loan. The best way to know where you stand and your options for a mortgage is to connect with a trusted lender.
For the past couple of years, it’s been tough for a lot of homebuyers to make the numbers work. Home prices shot up. Mortgage rates too. And a number of people hit pause because it just didn’t feel possible. Maybe you were one of them.
But there’s some encouraging news. If you’ve been waiting for a better time to jump back in, affordability may finally be showing signs of improvement this fall.
The latest data from Redfin shows the typical monthly mortgage payment has been coming down, and is now about $290 lower than it was just a few months ago (see graph below):
And here’s why this is happening. The cost of buying a home really comes down to three things:
- Mortgage rates
- Home prices
- Your wages
Right now, all three are finally moving in a better direction for you. While that doesn’t mean it’s suddenly easy to buy at today’s rates and prices, it does mean it’s not as challenging.
1. Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates have come down compared to earlier this year. In May, they were roughly 7%. And now, they’re closer to 6.3% (see graph below):
That may not sound like a big deal, but it does matter. Even small changes in rates can make a difference in your future monthly payment. Compared to when rates were 7%, if you take out an average $400K mortgage now at 6.3%, it’ll cost about $190 less a month based on just rates alone.
And for some people, that’s been enough to make buying a home possible again. As Joel Kan, VP and Deputy Chief Economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), explained on September 10th:
“The downward rate movement spurred the strongest week of borrower demand since 2022 . . . Purchase applications increased to the highest level since July and continued to run more than 20 percent ahead of last year’s pace.”
2. Home Prices
After several years of prices rising very rapidly, price growth has finally slowed. As Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, puts it:
“National home price growth remains positive, but muted — low single digits — and we expect this trend to continue in the second half of the year.”
For buyers, that’s actually a big relief. That moderation makes it easier to plan your budget. And in some markets, prices have even dipped slightly. If you’re in one of the markets, you may be able to find something that’s more affordable than you’d expect.
3. Wages
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), wages are up near 4% annually. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, explains why that number is so important right now:
“Wage growth is now comfortably outpacing home price growth, and buyers have more choices.”
In other words, the typical paycheck is rising faster than home prices right now, which helps make buying a little more affordable. Now, it’s not a big difference, but in a market like this, every bit counts.
What This Means for You
Lower rates, slower price growth, and stronger wages might be enough to make the numbers finally work for you this fall.
While affordability is still tight, it’s a little easier on your wallet to buy now than it was just few months ago. Remember, data from Redfin shows the typical monthly mortgage payment is already around $290 lower than it was earlier this year.
Bottom Line
Have you been wondering if it’s worth taking another look at buying?
Work with a professional to re-run the numbers. Together you can go over your budget, see what’s changed, and figure out if this fall is the time to turn window-shopping into key-turning.
Even with more homes on the market right now, some buyers are still having a tough time finding the right one at the right price. Maybe the layout feels off. Maybe it still needs some updating. Or maybe it’s just more of the same.
That’s why more buyers are turning to new construction – and finding some of the best deals available today.
Why? Today, many builders have more homes that are finished and sitting on the market than normal. And that means they’re motivated to sell. They’re running a business, and they don’t want to sit on their inventory. They want to sell it before they build more homes. And that can definitely work in your favor.
As Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub, puts it:
“In housing markets where unsold completed inventory has built up, many homebuilders have pulled back on their spec builds—and many are doing bigger incentives or outright price cuts to move unsold inventory.”
Incentives Are the Highest They’ve Been in 5 Years
Data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows 66% of builders offered sales incentives in August. That’s the peak so far this year, and the highest percentage we’ve seen in 5 years.
That means 2 out of every 3 builders are offering something extra to get deals done. And when builders throw in incentives, it’s the buyers like you who win.
Price Cuts Are Back on the Table
One of the most common incentives they’re offering right now is adjusting the price. According to NAHB, almost 40% of builders are doing price cuts (see graph below):
On average they’re taking off about 5% off the purchase price of the house. For a buyer, 5% could be the difference between reluctantly settling and finally getting a home that works for you.
Take a $500,000 house as an example. If builders reduce the price by 5%, you’re saving $25,000.
And even if the builder you’re interested in won’t budge on price, they’ve got plenty of other levers to pull. As Realtor.com explains:
“. . . there are deals to be found in the market for new homes, with builders increasingly willing to negotiate on price or offer incentives such as rate buydowns and closing cost assistance.”
Why This Matters for You
As a buyer, you probably have a clear vision for your ideal home. Because you’re not just buying any house. You’re buying your house. The one with the space, features, and lifestyle you’ve been hoping for. New builds can check those boxes since they usually have:
- Bigger kitchens and open layouts
- Energy efficiency (hello lower utility bills)
- Smart-home upgrades
- Fewer repair headaches on day one
And today’s incentives make buying a new home more attainable than it’s been in years.
One Word of Advice: Don’t Go At It Alone
If you want to take advantage of this opportunity, just be sure to use your own agent. Builder reps aren’t there to save you money. They protect the builder’s bottom line. That’s why you need to bring your agent with you. Your agent will:
- Cut through the sales pitch and run the cold hard numbers
- Spot which incentives are actually worth it (and which ones are fluff)
- Handle negotiations so you walk away with the best deal possible
- Keep your best interest as their top priority
Bottom Line
If you’re not finding a home you love, the new home market is buzzing with opportunity. With record-high incentives, price cuts in play, and builders itching to move inventory, this is the best time in years to buy new construction.
Curious how far today’s incentives could stretch your budget? Connect with an agent to see what builders are offering in your area.
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