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Get your credit mortgage-ready.

Before you apply, it pays to know exactly where your credit stands and to fix problems early. These are the official places to pull your reports and scores, dispute errors, guard against identity theft, and — if your credit file is thin — build history responsibly. Handpicked and organized for future homebuyers.

How to use these before you apply
  1. Pull your reports first. Start with AnnualCreditReport.com — the only federally authorized source for free reports from all three bureaus. Review each one for errors before a lender ever sees them.
  2. Check the score lenders actually use. Mortgage lenders pull specific FICO versions, not the free "educational" scores from many apps. myFICO shows mortgage-relevant scores.
  3. Dispute errors early. If something is wrong, disputes take time — start well before you plan to apply. The CFPB and bureau links below walk you through it.
  4. Protect your file. Freeze or monitor your credit and guard against identity theft so a surprise doesn't derail your approval.
  5. Thin file? Build responsibly. If you have little credit history, the credit-building options below can help — but compare rates, fees, and terms carefully. These are commercial products, not endorsements.

We receive no compensation from any website or product listed here. Inclusion is not an endorsement — always review each provider's own rates, fees, and terms before signing up.