On a mortgage, credit isn't about approval or denial — it's about price. Here's what actually moves your score, how it maps to your rate, and how to improve before you buy.
Right now, the gap between ≥ 740 and < 680 is 0.33 percentage points — which is real money on every payment for 30 years.
See what that means for a payment in the mortgage calculator.
A FICO® score comes from five factors. The first two are most of the weight — and the most within your control.
Whether you pay on time, every time. One missed payment can sting for years — automate at least the minimum so you never slip.
How much of your available credit you're using. Staying under 30% — and ideally under 10% — is one of the fastest levers you can pull.
The average age of your accounts. Keeping old cards open, even unused, quietly works in your favor.
A healthy blend of revolving (cards) and installment (loans) accounts. Don't take on debt just for variety — it's a minor factor.
Recent applications and new accounts. Each hard inquiry can ding you a little, so space out applications before you buy.
Credit rewards consistency, not tricks. Here's a grounded path if you're buying within the year.
You're entitled to free reports — review all three and dispute anything wrong. Removing an error can lift a score quickly.
Pay balances down before the statement closes, or ask for a limit increase. Utilization updates with each cycle, so the effect shows up fast.
Every on-time payment adds up. Avoid new applications and let your accounts age while balances stay low.
Consistency compounds. Many buyers move up a full rate tier within a year — and that follows you for the life of the loan.
Checking your own credit hurts your score.
Checking your own report is a soft pull and never affects your score.
Carrying a balance helps your score.
Paying in full is best. You build credit by using cards and paying them off — interest charges don't help your score.
Closing an old card boosts things.
It usually hurts — it can shorten your history and raise your utilization.
You only have one credit score.
You have many, from different bureaus and models. Mortgage lenders use specific FICO® versions.
Check your Experian FICO® score for free and find out exactly where you land — no credit card, no impact on your credit.
The whole journey, start to keys — what to do, in what order, and what it really costs.
Estimate a real monthly payment using live rates, adjusted for your credit tier.
Current national averages and the 30-year rate broken out by FICO® band.
