“Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Bankrate is always editorially independent. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to … Read more
Your FICO® ScoreÎ falls within a range, from 740 to 799, that may be considered Very Good. A 742 FICO® Score is above the average credit score. Borrowers with scores in the Very Good range typically qualify for lenders better interest rates and product offers. In statistical terms, just 1% of consumers with Very Good … Read more
You can buy a house with a 5% down conventional loan, and, despite PMI, it could be less expensive in the long run than saving up 20%. Are you among the many aspiring homeowners who have been told that you need a whopping 20% down payment to buy your dream home? If so, youre not … Read more
When we submit a mortgage application together, the most common thing that proves challenging is getting the right paperwork to prove your deposit. It’s more complex than you might think! Here, we explain why, and how to make the process as smooth as possible. Proving your deposit does 2 things: When applying for a mortgage … Read more
Do you have a 15- or 30-year fixed-rate loan that you’d like to pay down faster? You might find that making extra payments on your mortgage can help you repay your loan more quickly, and with less interest than making payments according to loans original payment terms. Making a large, lump sum payment on your … Read more
A blacklist is an organized list that records the details of individuals who have engaged in misconduct. And there are so many blacklists all over the world (may or may not include Raymond Reddington’s blacklist). However, the most popular is the United States of America (USA) No Fly List, a database (also known as the … Read more
Each of the three major credit bureaus, TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian, provide a consolidated report to help you screen prospective tenants. But, which one is the best? Weâve outlined the main differences among these services, plus one tenant screening method thatâs fast, easy, secure and free for landlords and rental agents. Each of the three … Read more
This is a great question, and it’s good to hear that you’re taking steps to get your finances in order and take care of these collection accounts. Unfortunately, I don’t think what the collector is suggesting will work. The credit bureaus are unlikely to remove the paid collection account if it is legitimately incurred. They … Read more
The current average mortgage rate for someone with a good credit score (700) was 7.42% as of January 3, 2025, according to Curinos data. Your credit scores can directly impact your eligibility for a mortgage and the interest rate you receive. You may need a score in the high 700s (or higher) to get the … Read more
While credit score requirements vary based on loan type, lenders generally require a credit score of at least 620 to buy a house with a conventional mortgage. The minimum credit score needed to buy a house can range from 500 to 700, but will ultimately depend on the type of mortgage loan youre applying for … Read more