How You Can Boost Your Credit Score Before Buying A Home

CENTURY 21 Mertz & Associates February 24, 2026

If you plan to buy a home using a mortgage, there are a lot of tasks you need to complete to ensure your finances are ready. Our real estate agents know that it only takes a few simple moves to boost your credit score so that you qualify for the best possible rates. Follow this guide to help you maximize your credit score before purchasing a home.

Request a Copy of Your Credit Report – Before you start looking at Lewisburg homes for sale, request a copy of your credit report from each of the three main credit bureaus. Look over each report to confirm that the information is correct and that there's no erroneous or incorrect information that might lower your credit score. If you spot any incorrect or outdated info, dispute the information with the credit bureau. It can take a few weeks for the credit bureau to review your dispute and make a decision, so complete this step as quickly as possible.
Increase Your Amount of Available Credit – The amount of available credit you have plays a significant part in determining your credit score. For example, if your total credit card limits equal $20,000 and you owe $19,000, your credit score will be lower due to your low amount of available credit. To optimize your credit score, utilize 30 percent or less of your available credit. You can accomplish this goal by paying down your credit card balances or asking your credit card companies to increase the limit on your cards. Another option for lowering your credit card utilization is paying down the balances with a personal loan. If you decide to explore this route, make sure you take out any new loans at least a few months before you start shopping for a home mortgage, as loan inquiries can affect your credit score. Take steps to ensure you don't add new debt to your credit cards.
Pay All Your Bills on Time – Even a few late payments can ding your credit score. Make it a priority to make all your debt and loan payments on time so that you have a solid payment history.
See If You Can Add Your Utility Bills to Your Credit Report – Experian, one of the major credit bureaus, has a program that lets you add your utility and phone bill payments to your credit report. If your credit history is limited, adding these payments can help you quickly establish a stronger credit history.

Not only does your credit score influence your ability to get approved for a mortgage, but it affects your interest rate and the affordability of your mortgage payment. It's smart to spend a little time and effort improving your credit so that your score is as high as possible. Ready to start shopping for your new home? Contact us to get started.