Five Credit Moves to Make Before You Apply

Pay balances below thirty percent of each card's limit — and ideally below ten. Utilization is the fastest-moving factor in most scoring models.

Do not close old accounts. Length of history helps you, even on a card you rarely use.

Avoid new financing. A furniture loan or a new vehicle during underwriting can change your approval overnight.

Dispute genuine errors in writing and keep the documentation. Collections reporting incorrectly are more common than most buyers realize.

Then stop optimizing and start planning. Send me your report and we will build a timeline to the score you need.