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Can Your Credit Score Help You Buy a Home? Absolutely!

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 PA License - AB067198

Buying a house can be a long and winding road of ups and downs. But being prepared and knowing the steps can help you weather the emotional storms that invariably come along.

Knowing how your credit score is calculated can be helpful to establishing a good strong score which will help you obtain a mortgage for the best rate.

The riskier you are to lend money to, the higher the rate of interest will be on that mortgage which can make the cost of the loan prohibitive.

1) Payment history, paying your bills on time makes up 35% of your score. Set an alarm in your calendar so that you do not miss any payment dates. This is the largest contributor to your credit score.

2) The amount of debt you are carrying makes up 30% of your score, too much debt will affect your score negatively, lenders want to know you can repay what you are borrowing.

3) The length of the credit you have available, those accounts you opened a long time ago and used all contribute to your score, up to 15%, so it is good to use these every now and again to pay for something small and pay it off. This also is why you do not want to close old accounts as it will negatively impact your score. Always talk to your loan officer before you close an account. It may be better to keep it open and leave the card at home.

4) Amount of new credit makes up 10% of your score, now I am not sure what they actually term "NEW" credit, but if you are constantly applying for new credit cards this is seen as a negative.

5) The mix of your credit makes up the final 10%. This is the blend of your debt, credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages a varied mix is seen as a positive, too much of any one can be a negative. Again another reason not to apply for every single credit card offered.

If you are looking to buy a Main Line or Chester County home, contact Nick Vandekar, Selling the Main Line and Chester County with Realty ONE Group Advocates, office 484-237-2055, cell or text 610-203-4543, email Nick@VandekarTeam.com, I have contacts with multiple loan officers and can definitely connect you with a lender who can help you get approved and ready to buy a home. Reach out today.

Posted by

Nick Vandekar
Nick is a Tredyffrin Easttown Residential and Commercial REALTOR selling The Main Line, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties.

Giving you the confidence to make
the right decisions.

225 W Uwchlan Ave
Downingtown , PA 19335
Office 484-237-2055
SellingTheMainLine.com
Mobile: (610) 203-4543 [call or text me]
Email Me

 

My Blog

   

If you are buying or selling on or around
Tredyffrin Easttown or along the Main Line, 
I can help you, contact me.

Comments(18)

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Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

Thanks for sharing a great information on credit scores!!!

The length of the credit you have available, those accounts you opened a long time ago and used all contribute to your score, up to 15%, so it is good to use these every now and again to pay for something small and pay it off. This also is why you do not want to close old accounts as it will negatively impact your score. 

Mar 19, 2025 03:46 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Nick - aligning with the right mortgage representation can save a buyer a lot.  Time and stress can rob you from a smooth transaction so are two things that should be avoided in a real estate transaction.  Choose wisely.  

Mar 19, 2025 04:13 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Nick, Choosing the right mortgage partner can save buyers time, money, and stress. A smooth transaction starts with smart decisions!

Mar 19, 2025 04:38 AM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker
Great information, thanks for sharing.  I hope you have a great day.
Mar 19, 2025 04:40 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Nick... well done; many prospective buyers don't fully grasp how much their credit score impacts their ability to purchase a home, their interest rate, and even their homeowner insurances rates. 

Mar 19, 2025 04:51 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

This is a good overview of the things that make up a credit score!

Mar 19, 2025 05:50 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Such a good discussion about the credit score, it's one of the most important things when it comes to purchasing a home.

Mar 19, 2025 06:00 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Nick,

Great explanation of how to achieve a good credit score! Many don't understand how not making one payment on time can negatively affect your score. Well done!

Mar 19, 2025 06:03 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Nick. The road to homeownership begins long before one decides it is time to buy. Your credit score takes time to build, must be maintained and is not a quick fix if you mess it up. Charter your course well before you begin the journey. Enjoy your day. 

Mar 19, 2025 06:20 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Sham Reddy CRS it is surprising how many people do things without asking a professional is this good or bad?

Michael Jacobs always good idea to get professional help.

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 that is always a good idea.

Richard Weeks thanks for stopping by.

Nina Hollander, Broker and even getting a job as well.

Mar 19, 2025 06:31 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Kat Palmiotti thank you. I appreciate the compliment.

Brian England I do not think consumers think enough about it.

Dorie Dillard Austin TX the thought is, it is only once...how bad can it be. But as you say it affects your score and can cost you far more in higher rates.

Wayne Martin cash is not always king, it might help you stay on a budget, but it is not your friend when you need a mortgage or a loan of any type.

 

Mar 19, 2025 06:34 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Nick and excellent blog about credit scores and what it takes to buy a home.  Can I reblog this sometime?

 

Mar 19, 2025 12:23 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Nick, some buyers have no idea what their credit score is, or think it is higher than it truly is.   YEP, the higher the better.

Mar 19, 2025 12:24 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Will Hamm thank you, absolutely you can share it.

Joan Cox very true.

Mar 19, 2025 12:29 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

You’ve broken down credit scores in such a relatable way, Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543—thank you! It’s so refreshing to see clear steps on how to boost that score and make home-buying feel less daunting. I appreciate you sharing these insights; they’re a game-changer for anyone looking to navigate the mortgage maze!

Mar 19, 2025 04:25 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Lew Corcoran I am a simple person and like things to be understood easily, so I like to make things as simple as I can so everyone can understand them.

Mar 20, 2025 08:00 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 this is good information.  #2 available credit is the one that we have the most control over, and can quickly increase a credit score.

Mar 22, 2025 02:23 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I think that when George Souto endorses an article about credit and loans, it is definitely a good post 

Mar 22, 2025 05:48 PM