Many people consider a house to be the largest purchase they will ever make. Understanding your credit score can ease the stress associated with such a big financial decision. You can achieve your mortgage goals by building a solid foundation of credit and good financial habits.

You may be able to secure a favorable mortgage if you practice good credit habits prior to buying a house. Your dream home can become more affordable. You’ll also be confident in your financial and credit standing. Here are some tips to help you prepare your credit for buying a home.

What’s on your credit report?

Your credit report is part of your financial story that you tell to lenders and banks. The information contained in your reports is provided to lenders, and this information determines your score. Make sure that the information is accurate and reflects your credit history. You can get free access to your credit reports weekly at annualcreditreport.com.

You should carefully review your credit report to ensure that you are familiar with the information and the account details. You can easily dispute something that you think is inaccurate by using that particular bureau’s dispute center. You will need to do this for each credit bureau separately if you find errors on other credit reports. In some instances, the error may only be present on one credit bureau report.

You should be aware that your credit report might not reflect your most recent account activity, as lenders update information on accounts monthly. It may not be necessary to file a dispute – it could just take some time for your report to update. If you recently made a payment, it might not appear in your report right away, but the credit report should be updated within a month or so.

Credit management: Build confidence

A mortgage broker might suggest that you look into a credit repair service if you want to improve your credit score before you buy a home. Be aware that a credit repair company cannot do anything for your credit you can’t already do yourself. They just have the experience and know what should be done. By managing your own credit information, you can save money and gain confidence.

As you begin the process of buying a home, it can seem like you are filling out mountains of paperwork. Lenders tend to be very thorough when it comes to a large purchase like this. It is important to keep your credit report accurate and personal information current. This will help you avoid clerical delay. Checking your credit reports and being aware of the information contained in them will give you more confidence when you are securing financing. It can also help you decide what steps to take, if any, to improve your credit.

Reduce your debt

Your credit score can be positively impacted by lowering your balances. It also shows lenders that your budget is able to support a mortgage payment. Credit utilization is an important factor in determining your credit score. This is the percentage of credit you are using. If you can, pay down your credit card debt before applying for a mortgage or prequalifying.

What you can afford

You will be pre-approved for a specific amount of money by your bank, but there is no need to borrow that much. A budget is important. It is also important to stick to the budget. It can be emotional to buy a house, but knowing your numbers and sticking to your budget will help you make a good financial decision.

Some people are quick to point out the dangers of daily spending, such as $5 lattes or other “unnecessary”, everyday habits. The long-term impact of getting big decisions right, such as home purchases, is much greater. A home purchase that exceeds your budget could result in tens or even hundreds of thousands of additional dollars plus interest. That’s a lot more lattes.

Avoid taking on more debt

Your home buying team may instruct you to refrain from applying for any new credit while you are closing on your home. This is for a good reason. The mortgage application is a snapshot of your current financial situation, including all assets and debt. Your lenders may be concerned about your ability to pay back the original mortgage if you apply for a new one.

Applying for a new credit card can also temporarily lower your score. Your credit score could be a factor in determining your mortgage interest rate. A small change in interest rates can cost thousands of dollars over the life of a mortgage. It’s better to wait until you have a good credit score before applying for a loan or credit card.

Your credit score is only one part of the equation

A good credit score will help you to get a low-interest mortgage. Credit scores required to purchase a house will vary between lenders and mortgage types. The credit score that you receive from the app, site or service may not match the score your lender uses.

It is important to communicate regularly with your mortgage lender during the entire application process. Your credit score will only be one factor that lenders consider when assessing your financial status. The lender may ask for a variety of financial data, including, but not limited to: your income, checking, savings, and brokerage accounts; current loans, and more.

It is crucial to know your credit score. Remember that your score depends on the information contained in your credit report, so be sure to review it regularly. It’s important to do this even if you have already purchased your home. This should be a part of your regular personal financial maintenance.