Credit Ratings - What You Need To Know - CREDIT SCORE

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CREDIT SCORE: Credit ratings - what you need to know

This is a general guide to what is called "A-B-C-D" credit.

These grades are typical of the requirements used by many lenders, but are not absolute grades. Individual lenders typically have similar but somewhat different specifications. Keep in mind that late payments, called "lates", are generally tracked within the previous 12-month period. Please keep in mind these are "general" guidelines. Some lenders assign different grades or use different grade definitions based upon their own method of evaluation.

A Credit
Considered the best credit rating. FICO scores are generally 640 and up with no lates on mortgage and no more than one 30-days-late on revolving or installment credit. No bankruptcy within past 2-10 years. Maximum debt ratio is 36-40% while maximum loan-to-value ratio is 95-100%. This type of credit will demand the best interest rate available!

B+ to B-
General good credit with FICO scores from 590 - 629. Two or three 30-days-late on mortgage and two to four 30-days-late on revolving or installment credit. Cannot have any 60 day lates. Must be 2-4 years since bankruptcy discharge. Maximum debt ratio averages 45-50% while maximum loan-to-value ratio is 90-95%. This type of credit will obtain rates 1-2% higher than current market rate.

C+ to C-
Fair credit with FICO scores from 570-580. Three to four 30-days-late on mortgage are allowed. Installment or revolving credit can have four to six 30-days-late or two to four 60-days-late. Must have 1-2 years since bankruptcy discharge. Maximum debt ratio runs around 55% with maximum loan-to-value ratio averaging 80-90%. This type of credit will generate rates 3-4% higher than current market.

D+ to D-
Overall poor credit history with FICO scores from 570 and lower. Two to six 30-days-late on mortgage or one to two 60-days-late, with isolated 90 days late. Revolving and installment lates show poor payment record with pattern of late payments. Possible current bankruptcy or foreclosure allowed with all unpaid judgments to be paid with loan proceeds. Must have stable employment. Maximum debt ratio averages 60% with max loan-to-value of 70-80%. This type of credit will result in high interest rates (12-14%), but borrower can always refinance after one year of "on-time" mortgage payments to bring rate down.