How to Read a Credit Report Before Applying for a Mortgage

Before you walk into a lender's office, you need to know exactly what they'll see. This guide walks you through every section.

Start with your middle score

Mortgage lenders use the MIDDLE of your three FICO scores (2, 4, 5). Not the high, not the low — the middle. If your three scores are 720 / 684 / 672, they're using 684.

Then check DTI inputs

Your minimum monthly payments across every open tradeline feed your debt-to-income ratio. Even zero-balance cards count their minimum if you're carrying something else.

Look for dispute flags

An account currently marked 'in dispute' will be excluded from the FICO calculation used for mortgage underwriting. This can trip you up — always close out disputes before applying.

Freeze what you don't need

Freeze your reports at all 3 bureaus until the lender pulls — it stops fraud and prevents surprise inquiries from lenders you didn't authorize.