While married couples don?t inherit each other?s credit scores, one partner?s weak rating could sink the family?s financial goals.
If one of you has a less-than-perfect number?anything under the mid-700s on the FICO scale?it can affect your ability as a couple to qualify for joint accounts, like credit cards, mortgages, or auto loans, says Rod Griffin, director of public education at Experian.
For example, lenders might not approve you together for as large of a mortgage as you?d like or may only extend you one with a really high rate. And if you can?t handle those terms, ?you might find yourself completing an apartment lease application while you work to rebuild your spouse?s credit history,? says Griffin.
Read More At Time.
