Just received an update from a MAJOR investor that credit scores less than 620 are going to be priced SIGNIFICANTLY higher beginning Monday, January 12, 2009.
This is significant for folks who are purchasing, and using USDA or FHA/VA financing tools. The "hits" for scores between 600 and 620 today are .25. Meaning that it costs us almost a quarter of a discount point more to do a loan with those scores. In most cases, this means we can still get a rate of 5% for these folks.
According to the news bulletin, the new cost for doing a government loan with a credit score between 600 and 620 will be 1.25%. Now that could mean that someone with a 617 score (I have a borrower right now with a middle of 617 and no lates in the last 5 years) would suffer... because their BEST RATE (with new pricing) is 5.5%!
Because of the rate spread loan rules in NC, this means that many people with credit between 580 and 600 (that cost goes to 2.0%) - might not be able to get financing! If you are considering a new mortgage, or you would like to refinance, let us look at your credit first, and see what might need to be done to improve your score! Steve and Eleanor Thorne
Wow, Eleanor! This is huge news. I am glad that you blogged this and are keeping your clients up to date with the day to day changes in the market. Clients need great advisors like you more than ever in 2009!