Competition = Low Mortgage Rates

What is a BEACON Mortgage Score?

The BEACON® Mortgage Score is a brand of FICO credit score rating issued by Equifax, the largest credit-reporting agency in Canada, designed specifically to help mortgage lenders make the best possible risk decisions when addressing both current homeowners and those aspiring to own. The score identifies up to 25 percent more of the high-risk mortgages and home equity lines-of-credit that later became seriously delinquent then that of the general risk BEACON score.

BEACON Scores are the first thing mortgage brokers look at when determining what mortgage rates and products are available to the consumer. These credit scores can range from 300 (worst) to 850 (best). The average Canadian adult over 30 has a beacon score of around 680. Banks lend based on this score. The better the score the better the term and rate you will receive. A mortgage agent can assist you in determining where you fit with the lenders as well as guide you in improving your beacon score.

Can I Clean-up my Credit?

If your credit history is less than perfect, you should definitely take a few small steps to improve your credit standing before applying for a mortgage.

The following steps will help you get one step closer to cleaner credit and even closer to owning that new home:

• Pay off high-interest debt before you focus on saving a down payment because there are mortgage options that allow you to buy with little or no money down.
• Pay off credit cards and get rid of any unnecessary ones to avoid over spending and unwanted debt. Try to pay with cash and do not apply for anymore credit accounts.
• Try to pay down installment loans such as vehicle payments.
• Hire a credit counselor or seek advice on managing your debt.
• Wait at least six months before applying for a mortgage if you have made a late payment in the past.
• File a short explanation letter with your lender if your credit suffers from one specific event.

Calculating FICO Credit Scores

It is not just about making payments consistently and on time, there is a little bit more to the calculation of your credit score or beacon score as referred to in the mortgage industry. The payment history you have established only accounts for about one third of your actual beacon score. The pie chart below shows the actual breakdown of the beacon score.

Balances owing are a huge factor in the overall credit report. And, the longer you have had a good credit history will increase your score. But watch out, credit card accounts where the balances are at or above the credit limit will dramatically hurt your Beacon score.

Should I Increase My Down Payment?

Coming up with enough money for a down payment can be difficult for many potential home buyers, so they often settle for simply putting the minimum 5% down.

However, it is better to put down as much as possible towards the purchase price because the more you put down, the less money you have to borrow and as a result your mortgage payments are lower and easier to manage financially.

If you are able to put down 20% of the purchase price, then you are not required to purchase mortgage insurance thus saving yourself more money over the life of your mortgage.