A lot of people think that a low credit score puts an end to property buying. But in fact there's no need to despair if your credit score doesn't quite cut it. If you look like a risky borrower your loan will generally cost you more. So what can you do to change that? To boost your credit score you need to pay your bills on time. That makes up 35% of your score. Decrease your credit card debt and that's another 30%. Don't open a load of credit accounts in a short period of time as that will count against you. If you haven't been able to come up with a 20% down payment for your property, look into an Adjustable Rate mortgage or a Federal Housing Administration mortgage. They require smaller down payments and have lower interest rates, though you will also need to pay for private mortgage insurance each month. State and local housing agencies can offer several home affordability programs. Another option is to get your mortgage from your local community bank or credit union. They often accept lower credit scores depending on the local real estate situation. So make sure you've checked out all the potential options before you start your property hunt.
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