How to Check Your Credit Score Before Buying a Home

Buying a home is exciting—it’s one of those big life milestones that feels like a mix of adrenaline, nerves, and possibility. But before you scroll Zillow until 2 a.m. or start driving through neighborhoods imagining where your kids will ride their bikes, let me hit you with some real talk: your credit score is step one.

I’ve been in real estate for over a decade, and I can’t tell you how many buyers have fallen in love with a house… only to have their dreams crushed because their credit wasn’t where it needed to be. And here’s the kicker—it’s not always “bad credit” that’s the problem. Sometimes it’s just a forgotten bill, a medical collection, or even an error on the report that throws everything off.

If you take nothing else away from this article, remember this: checking your credit before you shop for a home saves you time, money, and heartbreak. Let’s walk through exactly how to do it, and why having the right agent in your corner makes all the difference.

Why Your Credit Score Matters More Than Ever

Here’s the truth: the housing market is competitive. Sellers want strong buyers. Lenders want to minimize risk. And your credit score is the number that tells them how reliable you are.

  • A higher score = lower interest rates = thousands saved over the life of your loan.

  • A lower score = higher interest rates (or sometimes no loan at all).

I had a client last year—let’s call her Sarah—who was sitting at a 659. Not terrible, but not great. We connected her with a lender who gave her a few targeted action steps. Within three months, her score was at 704. That bump saved her about $180 a month on her mortgage payment. Multiply that over 30 years? That’s nearly $65,000 in savings.

That’s why this matters.

Step 1: Understand What Your Credit Score Actually Is

Your credit score isn’t some magical number that comes out of nowhere. It’s calculated based on:

  • Payment history (35%) – Do you pay on time?

  • Amounts owed (30%) – How much debt are you carrying?

  • Length of credit history (15%) – How long have you had credit?

  • Credit mix (10%) – Do you have a variety (cards, loans, etc.)?

  • New credit (10%) – Have you opened a bunch of accounts recently?

Here’s the range most lenders use:

  • Excellent: 750–850

  • Good: 700–749

  • Fair: 650–699

  • Poor: 600–649

  • Very Poor: below 600

Notice I didn’t say “perfect.” You don’t need 800+ to buy a house. Many buyers close successfully with scores in the 600s—but the higher your score, the more options (and savings) you’ll have.

Step 2: Where to Safely Check Your Credit Score

Now, where do you actually look this up?

  1. AnnualCreditReport.com – This is the official, government-authorized site where you can get a free report from each of the three bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) once a year.

  2. Credit card or bank apps – Many banks and credit card companies now show your score right inside their app for free.

  3. Lenders – If you’re serious about buying soon, a lender can pull what’s called a “hard inquiry” and give you the actual score they’ll use.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful with sites that market themselves as “free credit score” providers but push credit cards or loans in exchange. They’re not always giving you the FICO score lenders will use, and they’re usually more interested in selling you products.

Here’s my advice: check it yourself first, then loop in a lender when you’re ready.

Step 3: How to Read Your Credit Report

Looking at a credit report can feel like reading a foreign language, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Here’s what to focus on:

  • Late Payments: Even one missed payment can knock your score down.

  • Collections: Old medical bills or forgotten accounts can haunt you.

  • Credit Utilization: If your credit cards are maxed out, your score suffers—even if you’re making minimum payments.

  • Errors: Believe it or not, mistakes happen. I had a client who had someone else’s account listed under her name—it took a dispute letter to clear it, but it instantly raised her score.

👉 Tip: If you see something wrong, don’t panic. Disputing errors is free and often pretty straightforward.

Step 4: What to Do if Your Score Needs Work

Here’s where most people get discouraged, but improving your credit is absolutely doable.

Quick Wins

  • Pay down credit cards to below 30% of their limit.

  • Don’t apply for new credit cards or loans right before buying.

  • Make every payment on time, no excuses.

Long-Term Wins

  • Keep older accounts open (closing them can shorten your history).

  • Diversify if possible (a car loan and a credit card look better than just one).

  • Stick to a budget that keeps you from running balances back up.

One client of mine, a young couple buying their first home, was sitting at a 620. The lender told them to focus on just two things: paying down a $3,000 credit card and setting up autopay so they never missed a due date. Six months later, they were at 680—and ready to buy.

Step 5: Why This Matters Before Talking to an Agent

Here’s the deal: you can absolutely talk to an agent before checking your score (in fact, I encourage it). But having this information upfront makes the process smoother.

  • Sellers want strong offers—and that means pre-approval.

  • Pre-approval requires your credit score.

  • Without it, you’re basically house-hunting blind.

Think of it like training for a marathon. You wouldn’t just show up on race day without ever checking your pace or endurance, right? Same thing here.

Step 6: How the Right Agent Helps

Now, let me be clear: your agent isn’t pulling your credit score. But the right agent is going to…

  • Connect you with trusted lenders who will explain your options (without judgment).

  • Help you time your home search to match your financial readiness.

  • Strategize with you—whether that means buying now or waiting a few months to improve your score.

I’ve walked buyers through every kind of credit situation. Some were ready to buy tomorrow, others needed a year to prepare. The point is—you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Final Thoughts: Take Control Before You Shop

Checking your credit score before buying a home isn’t glamorous. It’s not like scrolling listings or touring open houses. But it’s one of the smartest things you can do to set yourself up for success.

When you know your numbers:

  • You can budget realistically.

  • You avoid heartbreak from falling in love with a house out of reach.

  • You give yourself leverage in a competitive market.

So, here’s your homework: check your credit today. Then, let’s have a conversation. Whether your score is a 600 or an 800, I’ll walk you through the next steps, connect you with the right lender, and help you map out a plan that makes sense for you.

Because buying a home isn’t just about finding the right house—it’s about being ready when you do.

Call to Action:
📲 Ready to take the first step? Reach out to me for a free buyer consultation. We’ll talk through your goals, review the home-buying process, and make sure you’re financially prepared to compete—and win—in today’s market.

Ready to take the next step? Reach out to Reliance Real Estate Team today!

https://www.reliancerealestateteam.com/contact/

414-659-6965 / jsingsheim@kw.com