Buyer education - keep this one
Credit-Ready in 6 Moves
Your credit profile is one of the biggest levers you control before applying. These six moves - done in the right order - raise your score, widen your program options, and strengthen your position before you apply. None require a hard inquiry.
1
Pay revolving balances below 30% usage
Utilization - balance divided by limit - is the second-biggest FICO factor. Getting each card below 30% (ideally below 10%) can produce a noticeable score lift within one billing cycle after the new balance reports.
Why it matters: lenders read high utilization as strain on your budget, even if you pay on time every month.
Target: below 30% per card AND in total
2
Dispute errors on all 3 bureau reports
Pull your free reports from AnnualCreditReport.com - all three bureaus. Look for accounts that are not yours, incorrect late-payment notations, or wrong balances. Dispute through each bureau's portal; resolutions take 30-45 days.
Why it matters: lenders can pull whichever bureau scores lowest - a single uncorrected error can cost you a program tier.
Errors on one bureau do not auto-fix the others
3
Do not close old accounts
Closing an old card removes available credit (raising utilization) and shortens your average account age. Both lower your score. Keep old cards open and use them lightly - a small monthly charge paid in full is enough.
Why it matters: your oldest account often anchors your whole credit history - closing it can undo years of standing.
Age of accounts is 15% of your FICO score
4
Go quiet on new credit
Every new credit application creates a hard inquiry and a new account that shortens your average age - both lower your score. In the 6-12 months before applying for a mortgage, avoid opening anything new unless absolutely necessary.
Why it matters: a fresh account also adds a new monthly obligation lenders count against your debt-to-income ratio.
New credit and inquiries = 10% of your FICO score
5
Automate on-time payments
Payment history is the single biggest FICO factor. One 30-day late payment can drop your score significantly and stays on your report for seven years. Set up autopay for the minimum on every account, then pay the full balance separately so nothing slips.
Why it matters: underwriters look at your last 12-24 months of payment history closest of all - recent lates weigh heaviest.
Payment history = 35% of your FICO score
6
Get a soft-pull review with us first
A soft-pull review lets us see your full profile - score, tradelines, derogatory items - with zero score impact. We identify the highest-value moves for your specific file and tell you exactly where you stand for program qualification.
Why it matters: the five moves above are general - a soft pull tells you which ones actually move YOUR number.
Soft pull = zero score impact, full picture
What actually moves your FICO score - factor weights
The six moves above map directly onto these five factors - focus your energy where the weight is heaviest first.
Payment history (35%) On-time payments are the most powerful single factor
Utilization (30%) Keep balances low relative to limits - Move 1 above
Age of accounts (15%) Longer history helps - do not close old cards
Credit mix (10%) A blend of revolving + installment accounts is healthy
New credit (10%) Recent applications and new accounts temporarily lower scores
Ready for your free soft-pull review?
Scan the code or reach out. We pull your full profile with zero score impact and tell you exactly what to focus on for your target purchase timeline.
Equal Housing Opportunity. {{lo.company}}, NMLS #{{lo.nmls}} (Company NMLS #{{compliance.companyNmls}}).
This material is educational only and is not a commitment to lend, an offer of credit, or a fee quote; all
loans are subject to underwriting approval. FICO score factor weights shown are general industry-standard
approximations for educational purposes; actual score calculations depend on the individual's full credit
profile and the scoring model used by each lender.
This co-marketed material is shared by each party at its fair-market-value cost consistent with RESPA Section 8; no party pays for referrals and none are required.