Quote from Algorithm:
This thread is pure ET gold. The minority with a clue being drowned out by the clueless majority.
Look, one of the simplest lessons in financial life is that those that know how to and can prove they know how to build and manage their credit will prosper. A FICO score is the measure of this ability, PERIOD, pure and simple. Any FICO below 700 is basically shit ( unless you are just starting out in building credit). Now there are going to be loads that say this statement is crazy, but I bet they also have FICO's under 700.
A bankruptcy and foreclosure both will KILL YOUR FICO. Never put your FICO in jeopardy, PERIOD. Only as a last resort is bankruptcy an option (it is way overused in the US and that's why those with superior FICO's get offers for the keys to the kingdom). Also when credit is extended to those with a bankruptcy, it's usually VERY LIMITED and VERY EXPENSIVE credit. Shit FICO's get shit rates.
So what happens in mortgage default..... you lose your house and kill your FICO. That's it, plain and simple. If you can make it in this world without credit then don't worry about a FICO score, but for most this isn't an option (substantial wealth accumulation requires credit of some sort).
Also what another poster listed about employers and credit checks, ABSOLUTELY TRUE! Especially if that employment requires things such as expense reporting or responsibility for a corporate card.
Good Luck!