How Can You Improve Your Credit To Get a Mortgage?

By Kyle Koller

Producing Branch Manager of UMortgage West - The #1 Producing Team at UMortgage

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you should know that credit score plays a huge role in getting approved for a mortgage. The good news is that perfect credit isn’t necessary. With the right strategies, it’s possible to boost a score and unlock better loan options. Free apps like Credit Karma, Mint, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion provide access to credit reports and scores. A soft pull can also be done to check where the score stands. Here’s everything you need to know to improve your credit score before buying a home:

1. Payment history. A major factor in credit health is payment history. Lenders look at how long credit has been established and whether payments are made on time. Consistently paying bills on time builds trust with lenders and strengthens creditworthiness. One of the biggest mistakes is missing a payment, as even a single late payment can negatively impact a score.

2. Pay on time. Setting up auto-pay is one of the best ways to ensure payments are never missed. This simple step provides peace of mind, especially during vacations or busy times when due dates might slip through the cracks. Auto-pay prevents late payments from damaging credit and keeps accounts in good standing.

3. Credit limit extension. Increasing a credit limit can also improve a score without taking on new debt. For example, a $1,000 credit limit can be raised to $2,000 or more by contacting the creditor. This reduces the utilization ratio without additional spending. The goal isn’t to take on more debt but to create a better balance between available credit and usage. Keeping spending habits the same while increasing the limit helps maintain a lower ratio.

Fixing credit before buying a home starts with the right plan. The right steps can help secure mortgage approval and better loan options. FHA loans work well for buyers with credit scores in the 600s, and expert guidance can help improve scores even more. A free credit strategy consultation can provide clear steps to move forward. If you have questions or need guidance, please reach out. You can call or text me at (801) 687-2018 or send an email to kkoller@umortgage.com. I look forward to hearing from you.