👀 What Lenders Look for Besides Your Credit Score
Waiting might help — but it could also cost you. Here’s how to decide.
If your credit score isn’t perfect, you might be wondering:
👉 “Should I wait and work on my credit, or should I buy now and start building equity?”
The answer isn’t the same for everyone — but here’s the truth:
✅ Sometimes waiting makes sense.
✅ Sometimes buying now — even with a lower score — is the better long-term move.
Let’s break it down so you can make the smartest decision based on your situation, your goals, and the current market.
📉 When It Might Make Sense to Wait
You could benefit from waiting if:
- Your score is below 500 (FHA’s minimum threshold)
- You have large unresolved collections or recent delinquencies
- You’re about to pay off credit cards or loans that will boost your score by 20–40+ points
- You’ll qualify for a better loan program or rate by improving just slightly
💡 We can help run a simulator and show how much waiting might improve your numbers and options.
🚪 When It Makes Sense to Buy Now
You may want to move forward now if:
- Your score is 580 or higher and you qualify for FHA with 3.5% down
- You’ve been renting for years and want to build equity instead
- You’re in a market where home prices or rents are rising quickly
- You have a stable job, reliable income, and just need a chance
Buying now could help you:
- Lock in today’s price before values rise further
- Start building equity and wealth
- Refinance later when your credit improves
📘 You’re not stuck with your loan forever — you can upgrade it later.
💰 What’s the Cost of Waiting?
Waiting to raise your score could help you get:
- A slightly better rate
- A lower mortgage insurance premium
- More loan program options
BUT — you may also:
- Pay months (or years) more in rent
- Miss out on home appreciation
- Watch interest rates rise again
- Lose access to down payment assistance that’s available right now
🧠 How to Decide: Wait or Move Forward?
Ask yourself:
- Can I qualify now (even if the terms aren’t perfect)?
- Is my housing situation stable — or am I throwing away rent?
- Would homeownership improve my financial future, even with a higher rate at first?
- Do I have a plan to refinance later when my score improves?
✅ At PRMI, we’ll help you evaluate both paths — and let your numbers decide, not guesswork.
🏢 Why PRMI?
We help credit-challenged buyers:
- Buy now if you’re ready — with flexible FHA, VA, and Non-QM programs
- Build a 30–90 day credit plan if you’re close but not quite there
- Create a custom mortgage readiness strategy with real timelines and options
You don’t need a perfect score.
You just need a smart strategy — and someone in your corner.
👇 Wondering If You Should Wait or Buy Now?
Let’s walk through your numbers, your timeline, and your goals — and help you make the smartest move forward.