Simple Real Estate Definitions FICO
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Simple Real Estate Definitions FICO


The basis of most mortgage lending is Credit Scoring. In general, the higher a person's Credit Score, the lower his offered mortgage Interest Rate.
Despite the many credit scoring models in use today, however, just 3 are relevant to American homeowners:
The Equifax BEACON® score
The Experian Fair Isaac Risk Model
The TransUnion EMPIRICA®
Generically, these scoring models generate what are commonly known as
"FICO" scores.
FICO scores are measurements of probability.  The higher a person's credit score, by definition, the less likely a person is to default on his home loan.  This is one reason why credit scoring has added importance lately -- mortgage lenders are very careful about what they're lending and to whom.
Notably, minimum FICO thresholds have been added to all types of mortgage loans.
FICO scoring has 5 main components as listed above.  Payment history and credit capacity are two of the largest pieces, but a myriad of other factors contribute to a credit score, too.  For example, the longer your reported history of managing credit, the more favorably your credit score will respond.

The myFICO.com website does a terrific job with credit education, explaining in plain language the ins-and-out of credit scoring and ways to boost your score.  It also makes a free, 20-page PDF available for download. 
Whether you're a homeowner or lifetime renter -- consider it required reading
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