A good credit score is always important, especially when you’re anticipating buying a house, car or other large purchase that requires financing. It’s even more important to have a good credit score now with the credit crunch we are currently going through. Banks are tightening lending due to the rising number of foreclosures and delinquencies which means they are getting pickier about who they lend money to. To make sure you continue to qualify for financing – and at the best rates possible – you must have good credit.
So, what is considered a good credit score? According to Fair Isaac, also known as FICO, a credit score above 700 is considered good, a score above 750 is considered great, and anything over 800 is considered excellent. FICO scores can range from 300 to 850. The national average is approximately 680 and only 13% of people have a score above 800.
A good credit score is important because it determines what interest rate you will get when you apply for a loan, or if you even qualify for that loan. In this credit crunch, many people that would have qualified for a mortgage or car loan a few years ago are no longer qualifying. For example, you used to be able to qualify for a mortgage with a score of 500, now some mortgage lenders are requiring a score of 620 or higher to even qualify for a mortgage loan. GMAC recently announced that you will need a score of 700 or higher to qualify for an auto loan.
Even if you do qualify for a loan, you may be paying a higher interest rate. Credit card companies are taking a closer look at your payment history and how much debt you have outstanding when determining whether to extend credit and at what rates. People who have the highest credit scores will get the lowest interest rates and the best terms. What interest rate you qualify for determines how much total you will pay for a loan.
To give you an example of how a higher score can save you money, let’s look at someone applying for a 30-year fixed mortgage of $300,000. Someone with a score of 680 would pay 6.586% or $1,913 per month. Someone with a score of 720 would pay 6.302% or $1,857 per month, while someone with 760 or higher would only pay 6.08% or $1,814 per month. So a lower credit score could cost you over $1,000 per year.
You can reduce the impact of the credit crunch by taking steps to improve your credit score, or by keeping it in good shape if you have a good score already. The biggest factors that make up your score include your payment history, how much debt you’re carrying and how long your credit history is. You can improve your credit by paying your bills on time, keeping your credit card balances low, and by avoiding applying for new credit.
By: Krissi Ann
Posts Tagged ‘Auto Loan’
Tips on Getting Approved For a Poor Credit Car Finance Loan
November 30th, 2009
Most people think it’s impossible, but it’s not. There are ways of getting approved for a poor credit car finance loan. This article will show you how:
Add Up Your Current Debts
The amount of money you pay each year toward debts shouldn’t exceed 30% of your annual income. This includes your car payment. Before applying for an auto loan, add up the total amount you pay toward your debts each year, including the amount you plan to pay on your car. If this amount exceeds 30% of your annual income, you’ll need to take measures to lower your debt-to-income ratio. This means that you’ll either have to pay off some debts before applying for a car loan, or you’ll have to reduce the amount you’ll borrow.
Clean Up Your Credit Before Applying
Obtain copies of your credit reports from the three main reporting agencies. Check each report for errors or inaccuracies. Keep in mind that it takes these companies up to 30 days to follow through on disputes. Make timely payments on your other credit accounts in the months prior to applying. Even a few months of timely payments will improve your chances of approval. Finally, avoid applying for other forms of credit. Inquiries on your credit report temporarily lower your credit score.
Make a Down Payment
If you have bad credit, lenders are going to want to make sure that, even if you don’t pay your loan, they can resale the car and get their money back. For this reason, it’s important that you take out a loan for less than the car’s appraised amount. For example, if the car you’re buying is worth $15,000, you’ll want to borrow less than that amount. Usually that means making a significant down payment. Making a down payment makes you less of a risk to a borrower, therefore improving your chances of being approved.
By: L. Sampson