Green Valley Homes | Search Green Valley AZ Real Estate and Homes for Sale | Russ Fortuno, Tierra Antigua Realty
Register Login (520) 333-0446
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Home
  • Green Valley Homes
    • Green Valley
    • Quail Creek
    • Sahuarita
    • Tubac
  • Quail Creek Homes
  • Area Information
    • Dining Out
    • Golf
    • Green Valley Recreation
    • Mover’s Guide
    • Visitor’s Information
  • Buyers
  • Sellers
  • About
  • Blog

Your FICO score

Your FICO Score

What it is, and how it affects your mortgage

Are you about to apply for a mortgage loan in order to buy a home? If so, you may be curious about your FICO credit score and how it might affect your financing.

Here’s a look at how FICO scores can affect your mortgage and ways that you can boost your score to ensure your mortgage application is approved.

What is a FICO Score?

The Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) is the country’s leading producer of credit scoring information and the primary source most lenders will check to assess how much risk you present. FICO combines information from credit bureaus such as TransUnion, Experian and Equifax and produces a score ranging from 300 to 850. The the better your credit history, the higher your score, and the lower the risk you present to lenders. If you have a score above 750 you can expect that most lenders will offer you a mortgage and likely a very good interest rate.

If you have a score below 620 or 630 you may find it challenging to get approved and below 500 it will be almost impossible.

How does your FICO Score affect your mortgage?

Your FICO score affects you in two main ways. First, your FICO score helps determine whether or not you’re approved for a mortgage. Second, interest rates offered by various lenders will change based on your FICO score. For example, an individual with a score of 800 and very clean credit presents much lower risk than someone with a score of 620, and thus a higher score generally means a lower rate.

How can you boost your FICO Score?

If you find that your credit score is a bit low and you’re concerned that it will have a negative effect on your mortgage application there are a few steps you can take. First, get a full copy of your FICO score and credit history so you can see who is reporting to the credit bureaus and what information they are providing. You may find that there are mistakes or old items that have not yet been removed, which you can then challenge to have taken off of your credit report.

While your FICO score can certainly impact your mortgage and your interest rate, you shouldn’t let a low score hold you back from applying.

How to obtain your credit report and FICO Score

Federal law allows you to obtain a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit reporting companies. You can order your free report here. Note that the free credit reports do not contain your FICO score. To obtain credit reports that include your FICO score, you can order those at myFICO.com for a fee.

Applying for a home loan soon? Give me a call at (520) 333-0446 for a referral to one of my trusted lending partners.

New Listing

NOTIFICATIONS

  • Email Alerts for New Listings
  • Save Your Favorites
  • Schedule Showing Requests
  • Price Change Notifications
  • Plus More…

Sign Up

What’s Your

HOME WORTH?

Find Out

Client

TESTIMONIALS

"It’s hard to know where to start. Russ walked on water for us. He must memorize every listing the morning it lists. He knew exactly what we wanted and found our perfect house the morning it came on the market. We came from northern Washington and had already checked several other communities before deciding on this area, and Russ refined our search to meet our needs. Russ was prompt, quick to respond to our phone calls, always kept us in the loop, and just a pleasure to work with. He was on top of every detail and brought us to closing a day early. Yay Russ!"
- C. C., Sahuarita AZ
"I left the area early in the selling process, Russ handled everything for me and kept me informed about what was happening. He answered all of my questions promptly and did all of the extras that needed to be done. I put my trust in him and he didn’t fail me. I do recommend him for handling the sale of your home, and for finding you one to buy."
- J.A., Sahuarita AZ
"Russ has done excellent work for us. I have purchased several homes over the years and he is the best I have worked with. We chose Russ on a recommendation from a family member. He didn’t try to sell us on him or his firm. No “fluff talk”, pestering, unnecessary calls, emails or text. Instead, he showed us properties we were interested in and some that we were not aware of. Never felt the least bit of pressure. He was very patient, pleasant and responsive. He has a very relaxed yet professional style. He explained everything in a manner that was easy to understand and we felt very secure throughout the process. He is the best ever. In our mind he is the gold standard of what a Realtor should be."
- N.L., Green Valley AZ
View All

Listing Notifications

Sign Up! New listings delivered to your inbox!
Sign Up Now

Stay Connected

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Phone

agent photo

Russ Fortuno, Associate Broker

I'm a Southern Arizona native and year-round Green Valley resident. Whether you’re buying or selling a home in the Green Valley or Sahuarita area, you’ll experience unsurpassed service and professionalism at all stages of your real estate transaction. I welcome the opportunity to assist in your next home sale or purchase.
Meet Russ

Tierra Antigua Realty

18745 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Ste. A105
Green Valley, AZ 85614
(520) 333-0446
Contact Russ

© 2025 Russell E Fortuno PLLC, All Rights Reserved. ADRE BR658088000   •   Privacy