Five practical moves — from utilization fixes to error disputes — that can lift your score before you apply.
Your credit score is the single biggest lever on your mortgage rate — and small moves can shift it surprisingly fast. Here are the five strategies we give our own clients before they apply.
1. Lower utilization below 30 percent. Balances relative to limits drive a large share of your score. Paying cards down — not necessarily off — before statement dates can add points within a billing cycle or two.
2. Dispute genuine errors. Roughly one in five reports contains a mistake. Pull all three bureaus, challenge what isn't yours, and follow up until each bureau responds.
3. Don't close old cards. Length of history and total available credit both help you. Keep seasoned accounts open with a small recurring charge.
4. Pause new applications. Every hard inquiry dings you slightly, and new accounts lower your average account age. Hold off on car loans and store cards until after closing.
5. Become an authorized user selectively. Being added to a family member's long-standing, low-balance card can help — only if their payment history is spotless.
Most clients see meaningful movement in 60 to 120 days. Bring us your starting point and we'll map the fastest path for your timeline.