8 Steps to Boost Your Credit Score Before a Mortgage (2027)

To raise an existing credit score before a mortgage, fix errors on your reports, pay card balances down before each statement closes, and stop opening new credit. Payment history and amounts owed make up about 65% of a FICO score, according to myFICO, so that is where the points are. A higher score can lower your loan pricing, and on an FHA loan a 580 score is what qualifies you for 3.5% down instead of 10%. Start three to six months before you apply. Starting with little or no credit? Read our guide on how to build credit before buying a home first.

Factor	% of FICO Score	Highest-Impact Tactic
Payment history	35%	Pay every bill on time, every time
Amounts owed (incl. utilization)	30%	Keep card balances low; pay before the statement closes
Length of credit history	15%	Don't close old accounts
Credit mix	10%	Don't open accounts just for the mix
New credit	10%	Stop new applications in the months before pre-approval

Source: myFICO general weights. The importance of each category varies from person to person.

1. Pull all three credit reports

Each bureau lets you check your report free once a week at AnnualCreditReport.com, the only site the FTC says is authorized for federally guaranteed free reports. Mortgage lenders typically pull all three, so check each for unfamiliar accounts, wrong late payments, wrong balances or limits, and duplicate debts. The score in a free app may not be the version a mortgage lender uses.

2. Dispute every inaccuracy

File with each bureau that shows the error and include copies of your proof. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and must send you the results in writing. The CFPB also recommends disputing with the company that reported the item. Dispute only what is wrong: the FTC says no one can legally remove accurate, current negative information, so skip any credit repair company promising otherwise.

3. Drop credit card utilization

Utilization is your card balances divided by your limits, part of the "amounts owed" category. The CFPB notes many experts recommend staying under 30% of your total limit, and the highest scores often go with under 10%. Pay down the cards closest to their limits first. FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0 look at how balances trend over time, so steady paydown over several months beats one big payment the week you apply.

4. Pay before the statement date

Many issuers report your balance around the statement closing date, not the due date, so even a card you pay in full can show high utilization. Pay it down a few days before the statement closes.

5. Don't close old accounts

Length of credit history is about 15% of a FICO score. Closing a card removes its limit, which raises utilization, and can lower your average account age over time. Keep no-fee cards open and check them for activity you don't recognize.

6. Stop new credit applications

For most people one hard inquiry takes less than five points off a FICO score, and it counts for one year (myFICO). The bigger risk is new debt, which changes your debt-to-income ratio. Skip new cards, store accounts and car loans until after closing. Shopping mortgage lenders is still smart: older FICO versions count mortgage inquiries within 14 days as one, newer versions use 45 days.

7. Add positive history if needed

For a thin file, the CFPB points to a secured card or credit-builder loan. Authorized-user status helps only if the issuer reports it. Experian Boost changes only your Experian file, and Experian says not all lenders use scores it affects. Ask your loan officer whether on-time rent from your bank statements can count. Our credit-building guide covers thin files in depth.

8. Pay every bill on time, every time

Payment history is about 35% of a FICO score, the largest factor. A payment is generally reported late at 30 days past due, and accurate negative items can stay on your report for seven years. Set autopay for at least the minimum on every account.

Which credit score will your mortgage lender use in 2027?

• Conventional loans. Since September 9, 2026, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac accept VantageScore 4.0 from all approved lenders. Classic FICO is still accepted; FICO 10T is approved but not yet eligible as of October 2026. All three bureaus are still pulled (FHFA).
• FHA loans. For case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2027, lenders may also use FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0. The middle of your three scores counts, and the 580 and 500 thresholds stay the same (HUD Mortgagee Letter 2026-11).

Ask your loan officer which model they use; the eight steps help under all of them. For minimums by loan type, see what credit score you need to buy a house and our FHA loan guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast can I raise my credit score?

A corrected error shows once the bureau finishes its investigation, within 30 days, and a lower balance shows once your issuer reports it. Late payments and collections can stay for seven years. No one can promise a point gain by a date.

Will paying off collections boost my score?

It depends on the model. VantageScore 4.0 ignores paid collections, and paid medical collections have been off credit reports since July 2022. Classic FICO may still count other paid collections. Get settlement terms in writing before you pay.

Does a higher score lower my mortgage rate?

Often. Fannie Mae's loan-level price adjustments are set partly by credit score, so a higher score can lower the cost of a conventional loan. Compare Loan Estimates from more than one lender.

Does checking my credit hurt my score?

No. Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry. Only hard inquiries from applications count.

Can my lender speed up a score update?

Yes, with a rapid rescore. Only the lender can request one after you provide proof, such as a paid-down statement; Experian says it often takes two to five days. It cannot remove accurate negative items.

Sources & further reading

• CFPB: Credit reports and scores
• CFPB: Getting and keeping a good score
• CFPB: Disputing a credit report error
• FTC: Free weekly credit reports
• FTC: Disputing errors
• FTC: Fixing your credit
• AnnualCreditReport.com
• myFICO: Credit education
• FHFA: Credit scores (updated Oct. 2, 2026)
• HUD Mortgagee Letter 2026-11
• VantageScore: Mortgage FAQs
• Experian Boost

Information reflects rules and guidance published as of October 2026. Always confirm current details with the relevant agency, lender, or licensed professional before relying on any specific figure or rule.