7 Practical Steps to Quickly Improve Your Credit Score Before Buying a Home

Your credit score plays a major role in your ability to qualify for a mortgage and get favorable loan terms. Fortunately, there are steps you can take—often in a matter of weeks—to improve your score and strengthen your homebuying position.

Below are seven proven strategies, along with detailed instructions to help you put them into action.

1. Pay Down Credit Card Balances Strategically

Why it matters: Your credit utilization ratio (credit used vs. total available) makes up about 30% of your FICO score. High utilization = lower score.

✅ How to do it:

• List all your credit cards and their current balances.

• Calculate your utilization: Divide the balance by the credit limit. (E.g., $500 balance on a $1,000 limit = 50% utilization.)

• Target high-utilization cards first, especially any over 30%.

• Don’t close paid-off cards—keeping them open helps your utilization ratio.

• If possible, make an extra payment mid-cycle to reduce your balance before your statement closes (this is often when the balance is reported to credit bureaus).

2. Make Every Payment On Time

Why it matters: Your payment history makes up 35% of your FICO score. One late payment can drop your score by 50–100 points.

✅ How to do it:

• Set up autopay on all credit cards, loans, and bills—at least for the minimum amount due.

• Use calendar reminders a few days before each due date if you prefer manual payments.

• Contact your lender immediately if you’ve missed a payment—sometimes they will remove a late mark if you’ve been a good customer.

• Keep all accounts current for several months to rebuild history after a late payment.

3. Ask for a Credit Limit Increase

Why it matters: A higher credit limit lowers your utilization ratio—without paying anything down—as long as you don’t increase spending.

✅ How to do it:

• Log into your credit card account or call the customer service line.

• Look for a “Request credit line increase” option.

• Request a modest increase (10%–30% is usually safe).

• Ask if the increase will trigger a hard inquiry. If so, consider whether a temporary dip is worth it.

Pro Tip: This works best if you’ve had the card for 6+ months, made on-time payments, and haven’t requested a recent increase.

4. Become an Authorized User

Why it matters: Being added to someone else’s well-managed credit card account can help your score by importing their positive history into your report.

✅ How to do it:

• Ask a trusted family member or close friend with excellent credit, a low balance, and a long account history.

• They should contact their credit card company and request to add you as an authorized user.

• Ensure the card issuer reports authorized users to credit bureaus—most do, but it’s worth confirming.

• You don’t need to use the card or even have access to it to benefit.

5. Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report

Why it matters: Mistakes—like outdated accounts, incorrect balances, or unauthorized activity—can hurt your score unnecessarily.

✅ How to do it:

• Go to AnnualCreditReport.com to download your free credit report from all three bureaus.

• Look for:

  • Incorrect balances

  • Late payments that shouldn’t be there

  • Accounts you don’t recognize

• Dispute inaccuracies online:

  • Experian Dispute Center

  • Equifax Disputes

  • TransUnion Disputes

• Attach documentation (e.g., payment confirmations) to support your case.

• Bureaus typically resolve disputes within 30 days.

6. Pay Off Small Balances on Multiple Cards

Why it matters: Having multiple cards with small balances can hurt your score due to the way scoring models penalize multiple “open” revolving balances.

✅ How to do it:

• List all credit cards, including those with small balances ($20–$200).

• Focus on paying off the smallest balances completely and keeping them at $0.

• Use the “debt snowball” method: Pay off the lowest balance first, then roll that payment amount into the next card.

Pro Tip: Once paid off, leave the account open—don’t close it. That helps your credit age and utilization ratio.

7. Avoid Opening New Credit Accounts Before a Mortgage Application

Why it matters: Applying for new credit triggers hard inquiries and reduces your average account age—both of which can temporarily lower your score.

✅ How to do it:

• Don’t open new credit cards, auto loans, or financing plans (e.g., store cards, buy-now-pay-later offers) in the months leading up to a mortgage application.

• Hold off on “pre-approved” offers until after your loan is closed.

• If you must apply for new credit, check if the lender does a soft pull (which doesn’t affect your score).

Final Thoughts: Start Early, Stay Consistent

Boosting your credit score doesn’t require magic—just smart, consistent action. Most of the strategies above can begin to show results in 30 to 60 days, depending on your credit profile.

By taking these steps early, you'll not only improve your chances of mortgage approval—you’ll also position yourself for better interest rates, lower monthly payments, and greater financial confidence.

Want help connecting with a lender who can guide you through credit requirements? Let’s talk—I have trusted partners who specialize in helping buyers prepare for homeownership.

Ruben Sanchez

REALTOR® | Team Lead

(714) 656-6325

ruben@trxg.net

DRE 02091617 | NMLS 2096373

ΓEA⅃ Brokerage