NJ Mortgage Lender Offers Solid Guidance on Pre-Mortgage Credit Management
by Lawrence Montani, GMH Mortgage Services LLC
NJ mortgage company helps first-time buyers and experienced home owners improve their financial situation to qualify for the best possible mortgage product, including fixed rate loans, adjustable rate loans, FHA loans, refinancing, and more.
Shrewsbury, NJ, May 6, 2008 - If you're applying for a mortgage, don't max out your credit card accounts during the process. It may sound like obvious advice, but the majority of home buyers overlook how certain activities can impact their credit score, according to Lawrence Montani, Team Montani leader at GMH Mortgage Services LLC.
"Overcharging is the fastest way to bring down your credit score as much as 50 to 100 points," says Montani, a mortgage professional for more than 20 years. Along with over-charging, Montani offers potential homebuyers four useful tips for getting their credit in shape:
1. Don't consolidate debt onto one or two credit cards. This makes it look like you are "maxed out" on certain cards. It's better to hold off on any debt consolidation until after your closing.
2. Don't apply for new credit. "Every time you have your credit score examined by a potential creditor, you lose points," says Montani.
3. Avoid unnecessary activity that might be a "red flag" to creditors. Montani counsels clients to avoid opening new accounts, co-signing a loan, and even updating your name or address with the major credit bureaus. "The less activity on your reports throughout the loan process, the better," he advises.
4. Do continue to use your credit as normally as possible. According to Montani, "If your regular patterns of credit usage change, it could negatively impact your FICO score."
Clearly, buyers have to consider credit issues as early as possible if they're thinking of buying a home or refinancing an existing loan.
The most important things to remember - before, during and after the loan application process - says Montani, is to manage your credit wisely, and check your credit reports at least once a year. "You should always have an idea of your credit score, because it's the single most important factor that determines if you will qualify for a loan."
GMH Mortgage Services LLC and Team Montani lead the way as one of New Jersey's most respected mortgage bankers, with more than 80% of its loans written for repeat customers and the friends and family they refer. Team Montani is known for its refreshingly different approach to mortgages - combining experience with responsiveness to eliminate much of the stress generally associated with the mortgage process.
Lawrence Montani is a member of Team Montani at GMH Mortgage Services LLC. Reach him at (732) 389-9898 ext. 114 or www.teammontani.com.
To learn more about buying a home, visit our Seminar Registration page and attend an upcoming Home Buyer Seminar, where you’ll learn from industry professionals about how smooth the home buying process can be.
