Stop Waiting: Your Credit Score Might Already Be Good Enough
Most people sitting on the sidelines aren't there because they don't want to buy. They're there because they think they can't.
Credit scores are one of the biggest culprits. Here's the problem: 42% of Americans believe you need excellent credit to qualify for a mortgage, according to Bankrate. So when renters say they're not buying yet, "my credit isn't good enough" comes up constantly.
You might be doing the same thing. Looking at your score. Deciding it's not high enough. Convincing yourself homeownership isn't realistic right now. But you're probably wrong.
The Real Numbers
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
The typical homebuyer today has a credit score around 775 (NY Fed data). That's solid.
But here's what matters: that's not the minimum.
Look at the bottom 10% of recent buyers. Their median score? Around 660.
Some were higher. Some were lower. But they all bought homes.
There's No Magic Number
FICO is direct about this: there's no universal cutoff score. Every lender sets their own standards based on their risk tolerance.
Your score matters. But it's one factor among many. The only way to know what's possible for you is to talk to a lender. Not next year. Now.
What This Means for Winter Garden Buyers
If you've been waiting because you think your credit isn't there yet, you might be leaving money on the table.
Rents in Winter Garden keep climbing. Interest rates fluctuate. Home values continue appreciating.
Every month you wait costs you.
Next Step
Talk to a lender. Find out where you actually stand instead of guessing. You don't need perfect credit. You need accurate information.
If you want a referral to a lender who works with buyers at all credit levels, I can connect you. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just straight answers about what's possible.
Because the biggest barrier to homeownership might just be the story you're telling yourself.
Ready to find out what you actually qualify for? Let's talk.