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Loans Serivces

Is Residential Asphalt the Best Building Material?

A residential asphalt is a form of building material that has been designed to be stronger and more durable than other forms. In fact, asphalt has stood up to decades of harsh weather and usage because of its durability. Many homeowners and commercial businesses are choosing residential asphalt for their driveway, walkways, and parking lots because it is a tough, durable, and cost-effective material to work with. In addition, there are many reasons why this material is so beneficial to a structure.paving

One of the most common reasons why asphalt is chosen as a material for structures is because of its ability to withstand a variety of climate conditions. When the temperature and humidity are high, most types of asphalt will crack under stress. If an asphalt repair job is needed on a structure, finding a company that can work with the particular issues and concerns of the structure will make the project easier to complete. The same is true when it comes to repairing or replacing any part of a structure. When a company has experience repairing and replacing these types of materials, they will know exactly what to do to make sure the structure is repaired or replaced in a timely manner.

Another reason why people choose this material for their asphalt repair projects is because it is available in a wide array of colors. In addition, it can be used for a wide variety of other purposes, including exterior house painting, driveway repairs, and new construction. There are a lot of advantages to using this material, but the biggest one is cost. If a structure has to be replaced or repaired, the use of asphalt is often the most affordable option, especially when compared to other types of materials that require extensive amount of labor in order to install and repair.

One advantage of using asphalt for repair or replacement projects is the material’s energy efficiency. When it is used for both interior and exterior applications, this building material can save a structure a considerable amount of money on heating and cooling costs. Some asphalt materials have a high level of reflective properties that help reduce heat transfer from the summer to the winter. It also reduces internal temperatures from building elements and allows them to retain cooler air. This energy efficiency feature can significantly reduce the need for cooling and heating expenses.

Resdential asphalt is also highly durable. It is made with a thick, durable coating that will resist damage from inclement weather and vandalism. In the case of inclement weather or damage, it is easy to replace just the damaged asphalt instead of having to replace the entire building. When compared to other building materials such as vinyl or concrete, asphalt is more resistant to both heat and moisture. A resdential asphalt structure can be anticipated to last for decades.

When people are considering asphalt repair or replacement, they should think about all of the benefits that come with using this material rather than traditional building materials. This is an excellent choice for repairing or replacing structures because it is eco-friendly. It is also a cost-effective option that is ideal for do-it-yourselfers and small businesses. Resdential asphalt is a low maintenance material that will not require additional protection from chemicals or water damage.

Aesthetics are important to many people. And resdential asphalt is an attractive building material with a beautiful color. It is extremely decorative and its beauty can be enhanced by the proper paints or staining. In addition to being decorative, asphalt is an excellent material for landscaping, especially when used as a driveway. Asphalt is a tough and durable material that can withstand heavy vehicle traffic and stays looking new.

Asphalt is resistant to fire, is highly flexible and has a low impact resistance. If you are considering asphalt repairs or replacement, you might want to call a professional company. There are many things to consider before repairing your structure. If you are not sure if it will be a good idea to repair your structure yourself, contact a local contractor. They will give you a free estimate and help answer any questions that you may have. Resdential asphalt is a great choice for many projects.

Financial Tips

How to Get a Mortgage With a 600 Credit Score

If you want to get a mortgage but your credit score needs work, you might think homeownership is out of reach. But you don’t need perfect credit to get a home loan. It’s possible to get a mortgage with a 600 credit score.

Check out some of the home loan programs with flexible credit requirements — and how you can improve your credit score to get better terms:

Can I buy a house with a 600 credit score?Mortgage loans for a 600 credit scoreHow to improve your credit score

Can I buy a house with a 600 credit score?

A 600 credit score is high enough to get a home loan. In fact, there are several mortgage programs designed specifically to help people with lower credit scores. However, you’ll need to meet other lending requirements too. For instance, the lender will check your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), verify employment, and go over your credit history. You might have to make a down payment as well.

A lower credit score also means you’ll have higher borrowing costs because there’s more risk for the lender. These costs usually come in the form of mortgage insurance premiums and higher interest rates.

Mortgage loans for a 600 credit score

If you’re looking for a home loan with a 600 credit score, check out these programs:

FHA home loan

FHA home loans are mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration. The government backing removes some of the risk for lenders, so people with lower credit scores and smaller down payments may qualify.

If you have a credit score of 580 or more, you’ll only need to put down 3.5% of the home’s purchase price, while a score of 500 to 579 requires at least 10% down.

You’ll have to pay two types of mortgage insurance with an FHA loan as well: an upfront premium and an ongoing fee — known as an annual mortgage insurance premium — that’s baked into your monthly payment. Depending on how big of a down payment you make, you’ll have to pay these mortgage insurance premiums for either 11 years or the life of the loan.

VA home loan

Backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA loans are geared toward veterans, service members, and surviving spouses. You’ll pay no money down and no mortgage insurance, though you’ll be required to pay an upfront funding fee between 1.4% and 3.6% of the loan amount.

There’s no minimum credit score requirement for VA loans. The lender sets its own minimum, which means it’s possible to get this type of loan with a 600 credit score.

USDA home loan

USDA home loans are no-money-down mortgages guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To get one, you’ll need to meet income requirements and buy a home in a USDA-designated rural area. Borrowers are also responsible for paying mortgage insurance in the form of an upfront guarantee fee and an annual fee.

Like VA loans, every lender sets its own credit score requirements. So it’s possible to get a USDA-backed mortgage with a 600 credit score, as long as you find a lender willing to work with you.

Non-qualified mortgages

A non-qualified mortgage loan, also known as a non-QM loan, is a home loan that doesn’t satisfy the requirements to be a Qualified Mortgage. Non-QM loans are ideal for borrowers with fluctuating incomes — such as self-employed workers — and people who can’t meet stringent conventional loan requirements.

Non-qualified mortgages are usually offered by banks that set up and service their own unique mortgage programs, such as interest-only home loans. You can shop around for lenders that offer these loans or work with a mortgage broker who can make recommendations.

How to improve your credit score

If you can pause your mortgage search for a few months and work on improving your credit, you may be able to qualify for conventional financing. Or you might get better loan terms that help you save money.

Here are some ways to boost your credit score:

Make on-time payments

Payment history is one of the most important factors that influences your credit scores, so focus on paying all of your bills on time. To avoid missed or late payments, set up automatic payments or schedule a reminder on your phone a few days before the bill is due. Make sure you have money in your checking account before the payment is processed too.

Tip: If you’re in danger of missing a payment, contact the service provider or lender right away. They may be able to move the due date or work out a payment plan for you while keeping your account in good standing.

Pay down debt

Paying down outstanding balances lowers your credit utilization ratio, which is the amount of credit you’re using compared to your available credit. A lower credit utilization signals less risk for a lender. In turn, it can help improve your credit scores.

Tip: Aim to keep your credit card balances to 30% of the credit limit or less, and pay off loan balances where possible.

There’s another bonus to paying down your credit card debt: It improves your debt-to-income ratio, which measures how much of your monthly income goes toward debt payments. With a higher credit score and lower DTI ratio, you improve your chances of qualifying for a home loan.

Don’t close credit card accounts

Credit scores are also based on the length of your credit history, so the simple act of keeping credit card accounts open can help keep your credit healthy.

You might have been tempted to close an account if you don’t use it much or it comes with a high annual fee. But you can keep the account active by connecting the card to a small recurring bill and setting up payment reminders.

Tip: Additionally, your card issuer might be able to downgrade the account to a card with lower fees. Just make sure you ask about changes to your perks and rewards, and make sure the issuer will report the new card to the credit bureaus as the same account.

Limit new credit applications

Every time you apply for new credit, whether it’s for a credit card or loan, the lender reports a hard inquiry to the credit bureaus. Plus, the new account can bring down the average age of your credit history and increase your outstanding debt. All of these factors can bring down your credit score, so always keep this in mind before opening a new account.

Get a credit-builder loan

A credit-builder loan is designed to help you build credit as you make payments. They’re typically available at smaller financial institutions, such as community banks and credit unions.

If you qualify, you don’t get the money upfront. Instead, the lender holds it in a savings account and collects payments from you (with interest) throughout the loan term. You get the money once the loan is paid off, usually within six to 24 months.

Become an authorized user

With this option, a trustworthy friend or relative adds you to their credit card account. You get your own copy of the credit card and can make purchases with it, but you’re not required to make payments. The account activity will be reflected on your credit reports along with the primary account holder’s.

An account in good standing will positively impact your credit, but the opposite is true too. Any late payments or high balances may negatively affect your credit.

Regularly check your credit reports

Your credit scores are based on the information in your credit reports, so it’s a good idea to make sure they don’t contain mistakes. You’re entitled to a free credit report with TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com. If you find an error or signs of identity theft during your review, you can resolve it with the credit bureau.

The post How to Get a Mortgage With a 600 Credit Score appeared first on Credible.