Mortgage companies often grade your loan based
on certain credit related items such as payment history, amount
of debt payments, bankruptcies, equity position, and your credit
score. Below is a guide to help you estimate your credit grade.
This is only a guide as many companies have exceptions that may
result in more strict or more lenient guidelines.
A General Guide to B, C & D Credit Grades
Quality Level
Credit
Score
Debt
Ratio
Max LTV Ratio
History for Credit Type
Delinquencies:
Typical Additional Requirements
# of
times
# of
days
Within
last
A+ to A-
670+ to 660
28/
38
To 95%
Mortgage
Installment/
Revolving
0-1
30
24 mo
Good/excellent credit during last 2 to 5 years. No
bankruptcy within the last 2 to 10 years.
0-1
60
B+ to B-
620
50
75-85
Mortgage
Installment/
Revolving
2-3
30
12 mo
No 60-day mortgage lates. 24 - 48 mos since bankrupt
discharge. Higher number of rolling lates may be allowed.
2-4
30
0-2
30
C+ to C-
580
55
75
Mortgage
Installment/
Revolving
3-4
30
12 mo
12 - 24 mos since bankrupt discharge. High "rolling"
lates allowable.
0-2
60
4-6
30
12 mo
2-4
60
D+ to D-
550
60
65-70
Mortgage
Installment/
Revolving
2-6
30
12 mo
Bankruptcy discharge within last 12 months. Judgements
to be paid w/ loan proceeds. Not in foreclosure.
1-2
60
Poor payment record with limited 90 day, isolated
120 day
E
520
65
50-65
Mortgage
Installment/
Revolving
Poor payment record with a pattern of 30, 60, and
90+ lates
Possible current bankruptcy, foreclosure Stable current employment
The figures shown here are estimates. When
trying to figure your credit grade, keep in mind the following
principles:
•
Other Things Being Equal
When your have bad credit, all of the other aspects of the loan
need to be in order. Equity, stability, income, documentation and
assets play a larger role in the approval decision.
•
Worst Case Scenario
When determining your grade, various combinations are allowed, but
the worst case will push your grade to a lower credit guide. Late
mortgage payments and bankruptcies are the most important.
•
Going Once, Going Twice
Credit patterns are very important. A high number of recent inquiries
and more than a few outstanding loans may signal a problem. A "willingness
to pay" is important, thus late payments in the same time period
is better than random late payments as they signal an effort to
pay even after falling behind.