Your credit score is becoming increasingly important when it comes to securing an attractive mortgage rate. Due to the sharp rise in foreclosures, mortgage lenders have tightened their standards. In the past a person could qualify for the best rates available on a mortgage with a credit score of 680. That number is now 720, and even though it is not the only factor lenders take into account, it is definitely one of the most important. If you plan to buy a house in the next few months, it would be a good idea to order all three of your credit reports and scores. You are entitled to one free credit report every year from each of the credit reporting agencies at www.annualcreditreport.com. You will have to pay extra for your credit score but it will be worth it. It will give you an opportunity to review everything and check for errors. According to a 2004 survey, 80 percent of consumers have errors in their credit reports, and 25 percent of them have errors serious enough to cause them to be turned down from loans and jobs.
After you have all the information in front of you, you can decide whether you need to take some actions to improve your score. These range from disputing an error to paying off balances on your outstanding accounts. During this period, you should consider not closing old accounts or opening new ones and of course continuing to pay your bills on time. The bottom line is your credit score matters more than it used to when it comes to getting a lower interest rate, so you need to make sure it is in good shape. It can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan!