Credit score rules for mortgages are changing in 2026, which may help first-time homebuyers.

If you’re preparing to buy a home, you probably know that one of the most important criteria that lenders will consider is your credit score. But are the credit scores they look at the same ones that ...

Subprime mortgages, for those with low credit scores, carry high interest rates. Learn how they work, risks, and potential impacts on your financial future.

Mortgage lenders use your credit score as one of the factors when determining what rate you will receive. “Your credit score plays a critical role in determining your mortgage rate because it is ...

The minimum credit score required for a conventional loan is 620, while other types of mortgages require scores between 500 and 700. A higher credit score usually translates to a lower interest rate.

Even a single 30-day late payment can drop your credit score by 50 to 100 points. Late payment marks stay on your credit ...

There isn’t a set credit score you need for a mortgage if you’re buying a property or remortgaging. However, a better score can make it easier to get a mortgage and help unlock more options for ...

Finding home loans with bad credit isn’t for the faint of heart—or at least, it’s not something that should be done without serious homework. But there’s good news if you’re a first-time homebuyer ...

There’s a lot to learn and keep track of when you’re preparing to buy a home. You’ve likely spent hours looking at houses, talked with real estate agents and mortgage brokers, and saved every spare ...

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac use FICO scores to determine borrower eligibility for conforming loans, which make up most mortgages. Mortgage lenders have traditionally used three different FICO scores to ...

Mortgage lenders typically evaluate a borrower’s creditworthiness using FICO Scores 2, 4, and 5. These scores are the ones used by Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — the three major credit bureaus.