Prepare Your Credit Profile Before You Apply for a Mortgage.
Learn how credit, debt-to-income considerations, account activity, documentation, and pre-closing decisions may affect the homebuying process.
Homebuyer Readiness Lessons
Use these lessons to build your knowledge one question at a time.
Mortgage Credit Scores Explained
Explore a clear, consumer-focused lesson covering this topic, common questions, practical considerations, and related rights.
FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional Basics
Explore a clear, consumer-focused lesson covering this topic, common questions, practical considerations, and related rights.
Debt-to-Income Ratio Basics
Explore a clear, consumer-focused lesson covering this topic, common questions, practical considerations, and related rights.
Credit Mistakes to Avoid Before Closing
Explore a clear, consumer-focused lesson covering this topic, common questions, practical considerations, and related rights.
How Inquiries Affect Mortgage Shopping
Explore a clear, consumer-focused lesson covering this topic, common questions, practical considerations, and related rights.
Preparing Credit Before Preapproval
Explore a clear, consumer-focused lesson covering this topic, common questions, practical considerations, and related rights.
Collections and Mortgage Underwriting
Explore a clear, consumer-focused lesson covering this topic, common questions, practical considerations, and related rights.
Homebuyer Credit Checklist
Explore a clear, consumer-focused lesson covering this topic, common questions, practical considerations, and related rights.
Clear Information. Honest Expectations.
Maximum FICO Score provides consumer-focused education designed to help people understand credit information before making decisions.
Get Started- No guaranteed score increases, removals, or approvals.
- Accurate and verifiable information may remain on a credit report.
- Consumers may dispute possible inaccuracies directly at no cost.
- Educational information is not legal, tax, lending, or financial advice.
Homebuyer Readiness FAQs
Is one credit score used for a mortgage?
Should I open new credit before closing?
Does this page provide lending advice?
Ready to Better Understand Your Credit Situation?
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Educational disclosure: This page provides general educational information and does not constitute legal, financial, tax, lending, or credit advice. Maximum FICO Score cannot guarantee any specific credit-score increase, item removal, or loan approval and cannot remove accurate, verifiable information. Consumers may dispute inaccurate information directly with the credit reporting agencies at no cost. Results vary by individual credit profile. FICO® is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation.