Getting mortgage pre-approval is one of the first steps toward buying your dream home. Pre-approval boosts the likelihood that the seller will accept your offer and gives you a detailed quote for your homebuying budget. 

But homebuyers often hesitate because they think that pre-approval hurts their credit score. Will it? 

The truth is that it will temporarily lower your score, as is true whenever a creditor pulls your credit report. But the benefits of getting pre-approved outshine the slight dip in your score.

Does a Pre-approval Impact My Credit Score?

A pre-approval usually requires a hard credit inquiry, although a soft inquiry is all that is needed for a pre-qualification. A hard inquiry can lower a borrower's FICO score by about

Removing negative marks from your credit report isn't just for raising your credit score. It's also the key to getting approved for a home loan with a favorable interest rate. Use these strategies to eliminate negative information from your credit report.

Did you know that there are loan programs specifically for those with less-than-perfect credit? Contact Legacy Home Loans to learn about your mortgage options and how you can qualify while rebuilding your credit!

How to Remove Negative Marks on Your Credit Report

Submit a Dispute to Credit Bureau

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a Federal law that says you have a right to an accurate report and can dispute any errors. The easiest way to that is online, but you can also mail your

If you have bad credit, it may seem like buying a house is out of reach - or at least a couple of years away. But, in reality, struggling credit may not be as much of a roadblock as you may think! 

If you have less than ideal credit and have the goal of buying a home, then this blog is for you! Read on to find out more about loan programs for low-credit home buyers as well as how you can improve your score to qualify for a lower interest rate.

The Truth About Bad Credit and Mortgages

Technically, there isn’t a specific minimum credit score to qualify for a conventional loan. Lenders will set their own requirements since they are the ones that are loaning the funds. As you can imagine, they prefer higher scores as that means less risk.