I'm worried about my credit score? What parts of my report matter most for mortgages?

What parts of my credit report matter most for mortgages?

You want to know which parts of your credit report affect your mortgage approval most. Lenders focus on several key areas when reviewing your credit for a home loan.

Your credit score gets the most attention—typically FICO scores from all three bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion). Lenders commonly use the middle score if all three differ. Payment history carries the most weight in your score, so late payments on credit cards, auto loans, or other debts can impact your mortgage rate and approval odds. Credit utilization also matters—how much of your available credit you're using across all cards.

Check your credit reports for accuracy in these areas: account balances, payment histories, and any accounts you don't recognize. Look for recent late payments, high credit card balances, or errors that could lower your score. Debt-to-income ratio calculations use the minimum payments shown on your credit report, so verify those amounts match your actual monthly payments.

People commonly work on paying down credit card balances, disputing errors with the credit bureaus, or avoiding new credit applications before applying for a mortgage. Share your credit reports with your lender and they can walk you through which factors matter most for your specific loan program.