• Eliminate credit card debt as much as possible and pay down as many as you can. Having a balance on multiple cards will hurt your credit score.
• Get a copy of your credit report to see what the lenders will see. You can get these reports at minimal cost and in some states you get one free. Two of the major credit reporting companies are Equifax and TransUnion.
• Review your credit report, it may show you credit or charge cards from gasoline companies, department stores, etc. that you never use. Cancel these unused cards; this potential debt on your report will hurt your score.
• Also look at your past credit history for errors and get them corrected with the credit-reporting agency.
• Don’t fill out every credit card application you receive in the mail, every application will result in a check on your credit and this is recorded in your credit history. A mortgage company will ask why you’re trying to take on more credit card debt.
• If you have any tax liens, bankruptcies or court judgments that have been paid or dismissed and are over 7 years old then contact your credit reporting agency about getting them removed from your report.
• If you don’t have a good credit history (or none at all) then you need to establish one. Apply for a credit card at a local department store or a small loan with your bank or credit union. If you’re denied credit then you might ask a friend or relative to co-sign on a loan with you.
• Be wary of companies that say they can repair your credit. Unless there are errors on your credit history they cannot get bad debt removed from your record. Check with your state attorney general before contacting a debt repair company.

Hopefully this information has reassured you of your ability to qualify for a loan.

If you need help locating a mortgage lender or have questions, please let me know. I’m here to help.