A 700 credit score typically means you won’t be turned down for important milestones like getting a mortgage or a job. You’re also likely to be fine when a landlord checks your credit to assess whether they should rent an apartment to you.
A 700 score likewise tends to come with the perks we’ll describe next.
Ideal Financing Options
A good credit score opens up various financing options. These includepersonal loans,home loans, auto loans, and the best credit card offers.
A good credit score can also save you thousands of dollars in interest payments. The Federal Funds Rate is a benchmark rate set by the Federal Reserve. This rate dictates the price at which banks can borrow money from the government. Borrowers with a credit score of 700 or higher tend to be offered rates closer to Federal Reserve rates.
Therefore, typically, the higher your credit score, the less you pay on debt expenditures. This can account for thousands of dollars in savings over the loan term.
Those with a lower credit score usually receive rates further above the federal funds rate.
More Buying Power
Good credit and a lower interest rate can increase buying power on a big-ticket item like a mortgage. You can put the money you save on interest payments toward more house (or car, or whatever you desire).
Let’s use mortgages as our example since the interest rate on a mortgage affects the monthly payment. According to ConsumerAffairs, a .25% change in interest affects your home buying power.
Perhaps you have $1,620 each month to spend on a housing payment. With a $50,000 down payment and 8.25% interest rate, you could afford around $266,000 worth of house.
By shaving .25% off your interest rate, bringing it to 8%, you could buy a home that costs closer to $271,000 with $50,000 down and still keep your monthly payment at $1,620.
This savings and increased buying power transfers over to anything you finance. From student loans to car loans, a 700 credit score can help you reap the benefits of lower interest rates.
For a score with a range between 300 and 850, a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. A score of 800 or above on the same range is considered to be excellent. Most consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750. In 2023, the average FICO® Score☉ in the U.S. reached 715.
In other words, a 700 credit score will still qualify you for better deals on credit cards, personal loans, mortgages and other types of credit, but it won't give you access to the same types of terms someone with very good credit, or a credit score above 740, would have.
So yes, 700 ought to be a good enough credit score to buy a house. In fact, says DiBugnara, “a credit score of 680 or above will likely give borrowers access to 95 percent of financing options available.”
To reach an 800 credit score, you'll want to demonstrate on-time bill payments, have a healthy mix of credit (meaning accounts other than just credit cards), use a small percentage of your available credit, and limit new credit inquiries.
As you can see, a 700 credit score puts you in the “good” or “prime” category for financing, making 700 a good credit score to buy a car. While it's always a good idea to get your credit score in its best possible shape before buying a car, if you're already around the 700 range you will be good to go.
Highlights: While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.
You will likely need a credit score of at least 580 for a $50,000 personal loan, along with enough income to afford the monthly payments. Other common loan requirements include being at least 18 years old, having a valid bank account, and being a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or visa holder.
What credit score is needed to buy a $300K house? The required credit score to buy a $300K house typically ranges from 580 to 720 or higher, depending on the type of loan. For an FHA loan, the minimum credit score is usually around 580.
The house you can afford on a $70K income will likely be between $290,000 to $310,000. Aside from your gross monthly income, lenders look at your credit report, down payment, monthly debt payments (including car payments and personal loans), and your estimated mortgage rate, among other things.
What is the average credit score? The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024. Credit scores, which are like a grade for your borrowing history, fall in the range of 300 to 850.
What is a good credit score for your age? You might consider your score to be good if it meets or exceeds the average for your peers, but that isn't the best gauge. Following NerdWallet's general guidelines, a good credit score is within the 690 to 719 range on the standard 300-850 scale, regardless of age.
If you are already at 700, then it will take you a few months to get to 750 with consistent good credit behavior – like paying your bills on time, maintaining a low credit utilization rate, not applying for multiple new credit accounts at once, and keeping old credit cards open even if you don't use them much.
A credit score of 700 or better is typically needed for a card that offers a $5,000 credit limit. This means that these cards usually require you to have good or excellent credit. You will normally need a high income and little to no existing debt to get a limit that high, too.
Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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