How Can Late Mortgage Payments Affect Your Credit?
A good credit score is important for more reasons than just obtaining new credit. These days, it can factor into everything from landing a new job to getting the best deal on your insurance policies. As a homeowner, there are many more reasons to keep up with your credit score and maintain a healthy credit history. It's more important than ever to avoid late payments on your mortgage . Here are some ways that missing or paying your mortgage late can affect your credit. Late Payments = Dropped Score A 100 point drop for one late mortgage payment? It’s true. A single 30-day-late mortgage payment can cause your score to drop by as much as a hundred points. Credit scoring algorithms vary based on many factors, and in some instances, the damage may be even greater and last for years. The Costs Accumulate At the time, a single missed payment will cost you only a late fee, but the expense really adds up on your next loan or missed opportunity. Low credit scores typically mean a h...