1. Build credit lines
A new borrower needs at least two lines of credit to qualify for a mortgage. Most first-time buyers start with secured cards or credit-builder products like these.
Extra
Works like a debit card linked to your bank, then reports your spending to the bureaus as credit. We suggest the lowest-cost monthly plan.
Self
A small installment loan with fixed monthly payments reported to the credit bureaus.
2. Dispute errors online
You can challenge negative items, late payments, and incorrect information through each credit bureau’s website, then track the results there. Register with each one and file your disputes.
Always dispute an item before you set up or negotiate a payment plan for it.
3. Know which score your lender sees
Why is your Credit Karma score different from your mortgage officer’s? Two scoring models are in play. They usually move together, but they can differ.
VantageScore
Used by Credit Karma and most card apps
Great for tracking your progress month to month, but it’s not what a mortgage officer pulls.
FICO
Used by most mortgage lenders
Harder to find, so check at least one FICO score before a lender pulls your credit. Checking your own score is a soft pull and won’t hurt it.
Free ways to see your FICO score
Discover Credit Scorecard
A free FICO score based on your Experian report.
Experian Boost
Counts utility and phone bills toward your credit and shows your Experian FICO score.