In 2026, mortgage guidelines have become more flexible. While a was previously a strict floor for conventional loans, many lenders now use a holistic risk assessment that considers your full financial picture, including rent history and savings. Phase 1: The First 30 Days (Quick Wins)
Improving your credit for a home purchase is a marathon, not a sprint. While some actions can boost your score in , more significant repairs often take 6 to 12 months or longer.
: Pull your free reports from AnnualCreditReport.com . One in five reports contains errors that could drag your score down. Dispute any inaccuracies immediately; the process typically takes 30 days .