Why the Fenton Farmers Market Is One of My Favorite Parts of SummerBy Marissa Mayberry, The Pink Realtor If you’ve lived in Fenton for any length of time, you already know that Thursdays
Credit Scores
Dated: March 5 2024
Views: 195
What To Know About Credit Scores Before Buying a Home
If you want to buy a home, you should know your credit score is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage. Lenders review your credit to see if you typically make payments on time, pay back debts, and more. Your credit score can also help determine your mortgage rate. An article from US Bank explains:
“A credit score isn’t the only deciding factor on your mortgage application, but it’s a significant one. So, when you’re house shopping, it’s important to know where your credit stands and how to use it to get the best mortgage rate possible.”
That means your credit score may feel even more important to your homebuying plans right now since mortgage rates are a key factor in affordability. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the median credit score in the U.S. for those taking out a mortgage is 770. But that doesn’t mean your credit score has to be perfect. The same article from US Bank explains:
“Your credit score (commonly called a FICO Score) can range from 300 at the low end to 850 at the high end. A score of 740 or above is generally considered very good, but you don’t need that score or above to buy a home.”
Working with a trusted lender is the best way to get more information on how your credit score could factor into your home loan and the mortgage rate you’re able to get. As FICO says:
“While many lenders use credit scores like FICO Scores to help them make lending decisions, each lender has its own strategy, including the level of risk it finds acceptable. There is no single “cutoff score” used by all lenders and there are many additional factors that lenders may use to determine your actual interest rates.”
If you’re looking for ways to improve your score, Experian highlights some things you may want to focus on:
- Your Payment History: Late payments can have a negative impact by dropping your score. Focus on making payments on time and paying any existing late charges quickly.
- Your Debt Amount (relative to your credit limits): When it comes to your available credit amount, the less you’re using, the better. Focus on keeping this number as low as possible.
- Credit Applications: If you’re looking to buy something, don’t apply for additional credit. When you apply for new credit, it could result in a hard inquiry on your credit that drops your score.
Bottom Line
Finding ways to make your credit score better could help you get a lower mortgage rate. If you want to learn more, talk to a trusted lender.
Gary Morris
Married for 50 years in June 2025 to Sharon. Father of 3 grown children, with 11 grandchildren, life long resident of Fenton, Michigan. U.S. Army veteran serving in the Military Police. Father was....
Latest Blog Posts
Should You Buy First or Sell First? A Guide for Homeowners Making a MoveIf you're planning to move, one of the biggest questions you'll face is: Should you buy your next home first, or sell
🌷 March Home Maintenance Tips to Get Your Home Spring-ReadyAs winter fades and spring approaches, March is the perfect time to give your home a little attention. A few simple maintenance tasks
The Benefits of a Home Warranty for Both Sellers and BuyersWhen buying or selling a home, there are a lot of moving parts — inspections, appraisals, negotiations, and financing. One tool that
IDX provided courtesy of Realcomp II Ltd., via REMAX Platinum and The Originating MLS(found above), © 2026 Realcomp II Ltd. Shareholders. The information being provided is for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Provided through IDX via MiRealSource. Courtesy of MiRealSource Shareholder. Copyright MiRealSource.
The information published and disseminated by MiRealSource is communicated verbatim, without change by MiRealSource, as filed with MiRealSource by its members. The accuracy of all information, regardless of source, is not guaranteed or warranted. All information should be independently verified.
Copyright 2026 MiRealSource. All rights reserved. The information provided hereby constitutes proprietary
