How To Improve Your Credit Score To Buy A House May 2026

: Aim to keep your balances below 30% of your limit on every card. For a card with a $1,500 limit, stay under $450.

Before making any changes, know where you stand. Federal law allows you to get a free report from each of the three major bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—every year at AnnualCreditReport.com. how to improve your credit score to buy a house

: The "age" of your credit history matters. Closing an old, unused card can actually lower your score by shortening your history and reducing your total available credit. : Aim to keep your balances below 30%

: If you spend heavily, make a payment before your statement closes to report a lower balance to the bureaus. 4. Optimize Your Debt Profile Federal law allows you to get a free

: Don't open new credit cards or take out a car loan right before applying for a mortgage. These "hard inquiries" can temporarily lower your score.