Three Credit Moves That Save Buyers Thousands

When it comes to buying a home, your credit score does more than determine approval — it shapes your pricing, your options, and in many cases, your lifetime cost. The good news? Small, intentional credit moves can save you thousands over the life of a loan.

1. Pay Down Revolving Debt First.High credit card balances are one of the quickest ways to drag down a score. Paying down revolving balances to below 30% of the credit limit — or ideally 10% — can have a bigger impact than paying off an installment loan.

2. Don’t Close Old Accounts.Length of credit history makes up about 15% of your score. Even if you don’t use a card often, keeping older accounts open shows stability and can boost your average account age.

3. Limit New Credit Inquiries.Opening several accounts right before applying for a mortgage can hurt your score and raise questions with underwriting. If you know a home purchase is on the horizon, keep credit activity minimal.

Credit improvement doesn’t have to take years — often, buyers see results in weeks.

The difference between a 699 score and a 740 score could mean a lower rate, lower mortgage insurance, and thousands saved over the life of the loan.

Sometimes the smartest move isn’t waiting for the market — it’s fine-tuning your credit.