By Rogelio Rodriguez
Realtor®, Vida Properties | eXp Realty
📞 720-724-8187 | 📧 rogelio@vidabroker.com
Thinking of buying (or selling) a home in the Denver Metro area in the next 3–6 months? 📆 One thing I always tell clients: don’t wait until you fall in love with a house to look at your credit.
Your credit score doesn’t just affect your loan approval—it can impact your interest rate 💸, your loan type, and even your ability to qualify for down payment assistance. So let’s break it down.
🔍 Step 1: Know Where You Stand
Before anything else, get your full credit report—for free—from AnnualCreditReport.com 🖥️. You can request reports from Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian once a year.
📝 Pro tip: Look for errors, old accounts, or collections that don’t belong to you. Disputing those can give your score a quick lift.
📊 What Makes Up Your Score (And What Moves the Needle)
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35% 📆 Payment History: Always pay on time.
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30% 💳 Credit Utilization: Keep balances under 30%.
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15% 🧓 Length of Credit History: Don’t close old accounts.
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10% 🆕 New Credit: Avoid too many hard inquiries.
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10% 🔀 Credit Mix: A healthy mix helps, but isn’t crucial.
Every case is different, but I had a buyer go from 550 to 680 in just a few months—and that change helped them qualify for a down payment assistance program that made homeownership possible. 🙌
🚫 Mistakes to Avoid While House Hunting
Even small credit missteps can delay your closing or spike your rate. Here’s what not to do:
❌ Don’t open new lines of credit
❌ Don’t co-sign for anyone
❌ Don’t make big purchases on credit
❌ Don’t assume old debts disappear just because they’re paid
Your credit is like a garden—once you start nurturing it, be patient and protect your progress. 🌱
🛠️ Tools and Resources That Actually Help
Ready to take action? Start with:
🔗 AnnualCreditReport.com – get your full reports
🔗 IdealCredit.com – for tailored credit improvement support
🔗 Work with your lender/agent – We can help you evaluate your credit game plan
🗓️ Ready to Take the First Step?
If you’re even thinking about buying in the next 3 to 6 months, now is the time to act—not when your dream home hits the market. 🏠
Book a free consult and let’s build your strategy:
👉 https://tidycal.com/team/vida-properties-exp-realty
You’re not in this alone. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or making a life move, let’s get your credit (and your confidence) ready to win. 💪
Where you live is how you live. Let’s make it happen—claro que sí.
Rogelio Rodriguez
REFERENCES
- AnnualCreditReport.com – Free credit reports from all three major bureaus.
- IdealCredit.com – Tailored credit repair and improvement support
- MyFICO: What’s in Your Score – Breakdown of FICO score components.
- ConsumerFinance.gov – Credit, lending, and borrower rights info from the CFPB.
- HUD Housing Counselors – Free/low-cost credit and homeownership counseling.
