Buying a house or apartment usually requires taking out a mortgage. However, many people ask themselves: how to increase creditworthiness and obtain better financing conditions? It is worth approaching this topic consciously – with just a few simple steps you can significantly improve your situation before applying for a loan.Below you will find practical tips and the most important aspects banks pay attention to.
What is creditworthiness and how to check it?
Creditworthiness is the assessment of your ability to repay a loan within a specified time. Banks analyze income, expenses, credit history and additional liabilities.
Each inquiry in the credit bureau (BIK) is treated as a credit check. If many appear in a short period of time, it may be seen negatively. Therefore, it is worth planning your creditworthiness checks in advance and verifying them in moderation.
What increases creditworthiness?
– Stable source of income: Banks evaluate most favorably those with secure and regular income. An employment contract for an indefinite period is considered the safest, but stable income from your own business, rental, or other legal sources also increases creditworthiness. The more predictable and consistent the income, the higher the loan amount the bank may offer.
– Transparent financial history: Regular repayments, no delays, and financial order matter greatly. Even small fines, unpaid transport tickets, or overdue micro-loans can negatively affect your credibility in the eyes of the bank. Make sure all obligations are settled and your credit history is clean and without unpleasant surprises.
What lowers creditworthiness and how to reduce financial burdens?
– Credit cards: Even if you do not use them, the bank considers the limit as a potential liability. If you have a credit card with a limit of several or several dozen thousand PLN, the bank assumes you may use it at any moment, which lowers your creditworthiness. It is best to cancel the card completely or – if needed – reduce the limit to a minimum.
– “Buy now, pay later” options: These solutions became very popular in recent years, but unfortunately they are not neutral for your credit profile. For a bank, every “buy now, pay later” is a small loan affecting your budget. Even if paid on time, the credit bureau may treat it as a liability. Before applying for a mortgage, it is worth paying off all such transactions and avoiding them for a while.
– Additional workplace benefits: Although perks such as fitness cards for partners, additional insurance or meal subsidies sound attractive, in practice they can lower your creditworthiness. Some of them are deducted from your salary, reducing the real bank account income. Since the bank evaluates your actual income, sometimes it is worth temporarily resigning from certain benefits to show higher earnings.
Is it possible to get a mortgage while running a business?
Yes — individuals running a sole proprietorship can also obtain a mortgage, but banks analyze their situation differently than for those employed under a contract. The key factor is income stability and tax settlement method, as they influence how the bank interprets your net income.
If you use lump-sum taxation, the bank may recognize only part of your revenue as actual income (typically 20% to 50%, depending on your industry). In the case of flat-rate tax or general rules, the situation is better because you can show real costs and profit, thus the actual net income.
Remember that you can change your tax form only once a year – in January. So if you plan to buy a property and apply for a mortgage next year, talk to your accountant or financial advisor in advance. Sometimes switching to a form that is “clearer” for banks can increase your creditworthiness by tens of thousands of PLN.
Additionally, banks usually require that the business has been operating for at least 12 months, and in some cases even 24 months – as proof of stability and financial reliability.
Is it worth taking a mortgage with a partner?
It depends, though it is often a very good solution. When evaluating a mortgage application, the bank considers the income and expenses of both applicants, which can significantly increase the total creditworthiness. However, a joint mortgage also means full financial transparency. The bank will analyze both parties’ obligations: other loans, credit card limits, leasing contracts or installment plans. This means that even if one person has an excellent credit history and the other has delays or many active loans, it may affect the final decision. A joint mortgage means not only greater credit capacity but also shared responsibility – both individuals are jointly liable for repayments. It’s worth thinking it through and ensuring both parties are ready for this commitment.
When buying a home or apartment with Novisa Development, you can take advantage of expert support from mortgage advisors who have been cooperating with the company for years. They will help you assess your creditworthiness, tailor the best bank offer and maximize your financial capabilities.
