Credit score for VA Loan: Minimum, Requirements, 2022 – Cain Mortgage Team

What is the average credit score for a VA home loan?

You may wonder what the average credit score for a VA loan is. According to a recent study from Ice Mortgage technology, the average credit score for VA loans in 2022 is sitting at 723. Keeping in mind the 640 credit score requirement, this minimum is fairly borrower-friendly and an accommodating benchmark.

Interestingly, borrowers who use traditional loans have higher credit scores on average than those who use the VA program in South Carolina. The average applicant for a conventional purchase loan stands at 756.

VA loans are unique and offer more flexibility to applicants than conventional government programs. The average debt to income ratio is also higher for VA loans when compared to traditional mortgages.

What’s the minimum credit score for a VA loan?

Credit score requirements are vital in the mortgage industry. Regardless of the loan you’re seeking, you’ll typically need to meet a lender’s minimum credit score to secure financing. These cutoffs vary from a lender, loan type, and specific financial situation.

The excellent news is VA loans feature more flexible and forgiving credit guidelines. While the VA doesn’t enforce a minimum credit score, they require the borrower to become an acceptable credit risk.

To get the best rates and terms for a conventional loan, you need a minimum of 740 FICO scores but excellent terms still exist for clients with a 630 credit score value . It’s important to know that everyone on the loan application must meet the credit score requirement. If you qualify for a VA loan, some of the benefits of a VA loan are no down payment, no mortgage insurance, and no loan limits for qualifying veterans.

Veterans Affairs encourages lenders to offer loans to all qualified veterans who apply. The underwriting department decides whether a veteran is worthy based on several factors, not just their credit score.

Conversely, medical events or past blemishes could be disregarded with a low credit score compared to a higher credit score and recent late payments. Some lenders may work with bankruptcies or foreclosures to offer you loan options that suit your circumstances. So, don’t assume you don’t qualify for a VA loan, contact a local Mortgage Consultant to check your eligibility.

The VA approval system likes down payments. So, while VA loans don’t have down payment requirements, someone with a low credit score could obtain an approval with a down payment.  Keep this in mind if you have a low credit score and ask your local Mortgage Consultant if this is an option. 

VA loan credit score requirements 2022

VA loans are mortgages for military service members and their spouses. These loans include no down payment, low interest rates, no mortgage insurance, and low closing costs.

Your credit score doesn’t just determine your eligibility but also is an essential item to determine your interest rate for your mortgage. Mortgage rates aren’t the same for everyone. In most cases, the lower your credit score is, the higher your interest rate.

For example, a borrower with a 780 credit score may qualify for an interest rate half a percentage lower than someone with 650 credit. Although this increase seems small, it adds up when you consider it is added to your monthly payment for the life of your loan. Therefore, the lower your interest rate, the more money you can save.

The VA loan is among the easiest loans to get an approval. However, if your credit score is preventing you from getting an approval, there are ways to improve it.

VA loan credit score under 620

Some mortgage programs have minimum credit score requirements imposed by the government agency that mandates the program. For example, applicants for the FHA loan must have at least 580 to qualify, unless the borrower wants to put down a larger down payment.

Veterans Affairs doesn’t establish minimum requirements, but most lenders require a minimum credit score of 640. Nonetheless, there are mortgage lenders that will approve candidates with lower credit scores. The Department of Veteran Affairs doesn’t mandate any requirements, so if a lender lowers its standard, it’s at their discretion.

On the VA eligibility page, the borrowers must meet satisfactory credit, sufficient income, and a valid COE to qualify for a VA guaranteed home loan. Homebuyers with a credit score below 620 should work with a lender to find out whether they qualify and how to bump their credit score. A handful of VA lenders will allow poor credit scores, even below 580, to get approved for a loan.

Your credit score fluctuates, for better or worse, and improving your score can be a long road. Paying your bills, staying on budget, and avoiding high balances on credit cards can help you achieve homeownership. However, that doesn’t mean that you’re out of luck if you have bad credit.

Contact the Cain Mortgage Team to find out about your eligibility!

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