Va home loans with no minimum credit score

Here at National VA loans we often get the question, What are the VA loan credit requirements?  The good news is when it comes to the VA mortgage loan there is no minimum credit score requirement. That’s right the VA handbook mentions nothing about a required credit score for a VA home loan.

However that being said borrowers, must meet an adequate credit risk. So what does adequate credit risk mean? In a nutshell, it is a FICO score where lenders feel comfortable lending money. In a perfect world, VA lenders should have understanding and flexibility when issuing mortgage loans to hard-working people. After all, we are all just trying to provide for our families and provide the best possible life and environment possible. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is that is not how things work in our world of ours.

Minimum Credit Score for VA Home Loan

The number two question that is quite frequently asked, is what if my spouse has bad credit? The only acceptable co-borrower on a loan is a spouse or another veteran. Another important question to have answered; is, that both parties on the mortgage have to meet both VA and lender requirements. See here for more VA Loan Requirement Guidelines.

An example of this, married couples pursuing a VA home loan, each obliged on the mortgage note. There may be a multitude of reasons why a husband or wife does not meet specifications. Not having enough income for the purchase of their home on his or her own. Sometimes, adding a second income of the spouse will do the job for the purchasing power. In our current state of the economy, lenders are looking for debt-to-income ratio and often wanting a score of 620 from both individuals involved.

The problem can be solved by different solutions. First of all, see if you can get pre-approved for the loan amount without your spouse’s income. This would be a simple solution but not all prospective borrowers will be that lucky. On the other hand, co-borrowers combating credit issues may just want to dive in headfirst and this could be the best route to take.

There are a number of different factors that contribute to lowering a credit score. Correcting issues means, increasing that credit score! In your credit report, there are always corrections that need to be made and they can be fixed quickly, while other corrections could take time. If you want your score increased it means discipline and with discipline, there is satisfaction in the end! Always, remember the saying, “hard work and discipline pay off.”

Not all situations are the same and in some cases, your credit score may not be the main determining factor. Although these cases are rare there are veterans that do get home loans with less than perfect credit. That being said the question should not be how to get VA loan with bad credit but rather how do I improve my credit to get a VA loan.

If you would like to learn more about your credit score and determine if you can get pre-approved for a VA home loan call 855-956-4040 to speak with a VA Loan Specialist.

VA loans are a great financial perk for America’s veterans, active-duty service members, returning service members and associated spouses. Not only do these loans tend to have low rates, but they also provide many financial options like refinancing equity or buying a house with no money down. But what is the minimum credit score needed to qualify for a VA loan in the first place? Keep reading to learn more about the minimum credit score for VA loans and other important considerations.

What Is A VA Loan?

A VA loan is a government loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This type of mortgage loan option is available to veterans, service members, and qualified surviving spouses. A VA loan acts as a thank you to service members and their families for their dedication to serving their country.

VA loans have several different benefits including no down payment for home purchases, no loan limit (in most cases), great interest rates and the ability to convert your home equity into cash.

Congratulations! Based on the information you have provided, you are eligible to continue your home loan process online with Rocket Mortgage.

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Is There A Minimum Credit Score For VA Home Loans?

The short answer is no, there is currently no minimum credit score required for a VA loan. While the Department of Veterans Affairs doesn’t have a credit score minimum set, mortgage lenders do. Lenders have the ability to set their own credit score minimums depending on what they are comfortable offering. Borrowers can expect to need a credit score of at least 580, but that number can vary from lender to lender.

Who Sets VA Loan Credit Score Requirements?

As mentioned above, the VA itself does not have a set minimum credit score requirement, but they do trust private lenders to properly vet the borrower to understand their financial stability. The VA’s role in the loan process is to fund and manage the program and be sure it runs smoothly; they do not issue the loans themselves, that is left to the mortgage lenders.

Let Our Experts Do the Work

Quicken Loans is a VA-approved lender. Our Home Loan Experts do most of the work so you don’t have to when it comes to getting your Certificate of Eligibility.

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What Are Rocket Mortgage’s VA Home Loan Credit Score Minimums?

All mortgage lenders are in charge of their own credit score minimums when it comes to VA loans. Rocket Mortgage® requires their borrowers to have at least a 580 median FICO® Score.

Rocket Mortgage will also be looking at your mortgage payment which includes insurance, taxes and homeowners association dues divided by your gross monthly income. Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) will also be considered as this is a good indicator of how well the borrower manages their current debt.

Can I Get A VA Loan With Bad Credit?

It is still possible to get a VA loan with bad credit, but ultimately the credit score minimum is in the hands of the mortgage lender you end up working with to obtain your loan. Keep in mind, there are many other factors that also help determine if you qualify for a VA loan, like DTI, eligibility and income.

How To Improve Your Credit Score

Before you start working on improving your credit score, it’s important to understand what’s actually on your credit report. Once you have that report and have reviewed everything on it, you can get started on what you need to work on. Here are a couple of ways you can start improving your credit score today:

• Pay your bills on time. This is an easy way to boost your credit score. There’s always time to turn your credit score around by paying your monthly bills in a timely manner. Setting up autopay is a great way to stay on top of your monthly payments so you don’t forget. Setting reminders in your phone calendar is also another simple way to remember what you need to pay monthly and when.
• Keep your credit utilization in check. Credit utilization refers to the portion of your credit limit that you’re using during a certain period of time. This is actually the second most important factor when calculating your credit score. The best tip to remember with credit utilization is to not let your credit balances carry over month to month. Paying your credit card balance in full each month will in turn help improve your credit score.
• Limit your applications for new lines of credit. When applying for a new credit card, mortgage or any other loan, you will experience a hard inquiry which actually damages your credit score.
• Track your progress. While you continue to work on improving your credit score, it’s also smart to track your progress along the way. There are many credit monitoring services that can show how your credit score is changing over time, as well as any other changes to your credit report. If you are working hard on improving your credit score, tracking the progress will give you a better idea as to what’s working and what isn’t.
• Consolidate your debts. If you’re currently dealing with a lot of outstanding debts, it might be worth your while to take out a debt consolidation This will leave you with only one payment to make and if you’re lucky enough to get a low interest rate, you might be able to pay off your debt even quicker. Consider this another solid option towards paying down debt while also improving your credit score.

The Bottom Line: VA Loans Have More Flexibility When It Comes To Credit Score Minimums

While VA loans don’t have a set minimum credit score, it’s essential to understand what your mortgage lender is looking for in terms of credit score, as well as other important VA loan qualifications. However, it’s important to remember that VA loans are designed to help borrowers who may not have the most desirable credit history, therefore lenders will work hand in hand to assist those who are seeking to obtain this type of loan.

If you’re ready to get started with a home purchase, apply online today.

Guide to VA Loans

Discover a more affordable loan option for United States Veterans, Service Members and spouses.

Read the Guide to VA Loans

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