Mortgage lenders often pull scores from all three bureaus and use the middle one, and many mortgages still rely on classic FICO versions that can differ from the score in your banking app. In the six months before applying, focus on correcting errors, lowering card balances, and not opening new accounts.
- Ask your loan officer which scores and minimums they use.
- Lower card balances before statement dates.
- Do not open new accounts or co-sign loans before closing.
Why your mortgage score may look different
Many conventional mortgages have used classic FICO versions (often called FICO 2, 4 and 5) from Experian, TransUnion and Equifax, and lenders typically take the middle of the three scores. Regulators have begun allowing other models for some loans, so ask your loan officer which ones apply to you. The score shown in a free app is often a different model.
Six to three months before
- Pull all three reports and dispute any errors early, since investigations take time.
- Ask your loan officer for the minimum score and any concerns about your file.
- Make a plan for collections and late payments with your loan officer before paying anything off.
Three months before to application
- Pay card balances down before each statement date.
- Keep older cards open.
- Avoid new cards, car loans or financing at checkout.
- Keep large deposits documented; lenders often ask where funds came from.
During the application
Do your rate shopping within a short window; FICO treats multiple mortgage inquiries in that window as one. Until closing, avoid any new credit. If a corrected item needs to show up quickly, ask your lender about a rapid rescore; only lenders can request one.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my app score higher than the lender’s?
They are usually different scoring models or versions, and the lender may be using a different bureau.
Will paying off a collection raise my mortgage score right away?
Classic FICO versions still count paid collections, so paying alone may not change those scores. Discuss the order of steps with your loan officer first.
Sources
- AnnualCreditReport.com — official site for free credit reports
- myFICO — What’s in my FICO Scores?
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681i — FCRA: dispute investigations
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws and lender practices change; check the official sources above for current details.
Accurate, verifiable records may legally remain. We do not guarantee removal or any specific score. You may also dispute errors directly with the credit bureaus for free.
