About Credit Reporting
Potential homebuyers are constantly hearing about their credit. What their FICO score is, whether it's high enough. But where does this three-digit number come from? Who determines it? We have some answers for you.
What Is a FICO Score?
Your FICO score comes from an algorithm that uses a person's credit history to arrive at a number that reflects how creditworthy they are. The Fair Isaac Corporation debuted this formula in the 1950s and it has since become the most widely accepted credit score in the U.S. There have been a number of changes made to the original algorithm over time, making the scoring system fair to both lenders and consumers.
The FICO Factors
While we don't know the formula used to calculate the FICO scores, we do know it is based on 5 factors: the timeliness of your payments (which accounts for 35% of your score), the total debt you carry (counts for 30%), the age of your credit (15%), how frequently you apply for loans (10%), and the type and variety of debt you have (10%).
It's also important to note what doesn't affect your FICO scores. While credit applications can affect the score, "soft" credit checks do not. The score is not based on sex, race, marital status, religion, nationality, or age. Information about where you live, your job, salary, or the interest rates on your credit accounts is not factored into the score either.
All three major credit bureaus in the U.S.—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—calculate credit scores using FICO's algorithm and information they have collected about people's credit history.
What Are Credit Bureaus?
Credit Bureaus collect and maintain consumer credit information. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are the main credit bureaus operating in the U.S. as publicly traded, for-profit companies. Also known as Credit Reporting Agencies (CRAs), these bureaus compile information about your credit history—receiving it from lenders and pulling information from public records. They then sell this to other businesses as a credit report on each consumer. CRAs also apply the FICO equation to their reports to generate your credit score, so lenders can determine your creditworthiness.
Keep in mind that credit bureaus are not the ones making the decisions to grant you credit or determining your interest rate. Rather, they give lenders you do business with the tools and information to make those decisions.
Regulating the Bureaus
The U.S. government has introduced legislation in the form of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to monitor practices at credit bureaus. This act regulates how CRAs, including Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, can and must operate. Because of the sensitive information these bureaus have access to and share about American citizens, they are strictly monitored by the Federal Trade Commission.
FHA Loan Articles
September 13, 2023FHA rehab loans are a specialized type of mortgage loan offered by the Federal Housing Administration that allows borrowers to finance both the purchase or refinance of a home and the cost of needed repairs.
September 8, 2023Borrowers considering an FHA loan should be familiar with some basic loan terminology. These loans are popular among first-time homebuyers and those with lower credit scores because they often offer more flexible eligibility requirements and lower down payment options.
August 27, 2023The Federal Housing Administration has specific credit requirements and guidelines for borrowers looking to buy or refinance homes with an FHA loan. In addition to what FHA guidelines state, lenders may have more stringent requirements that may vary from one lender to another.
August 23, 2023Mortgage APR (Annual Percentage Rate) and a loan's interest rate are two different things, although they are closely related. Understanding the difference is an important part of a borrower's analysis of the true cost of their mortgage.
August 19, 2023FHA refinance loans allow homeowners with existing FHA loans to refinance their mortgages. These loans are designed to help borrowers take advantage of lower interest rates, reduce their monthly mortgage payments, or access equity in their homes for various purposes.
August 14, 2023FHA loans typically require a minimum down payment of 3.5% of the purchase price of the home with the right credit score. This means that if you're buying a house for $240,000, you would need to make a down payment of at least $8,400.
