12 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score to Get a Home Loan

When it comes to buying a home in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, one of the most important numbers lenders look at is your credit score.A stronger score can open the door to better mortgage rates, lower monthly payments, and more loan options.

If you're dreaming of homeownership, here are 12 proven ways you can start boosting your credit today.

1. Know Where You Stand

Before you can improve your credit, you need to know your starting point.Request a free copy of your credit report from all three major bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — and review them carefully for errors.

2. Dispute Any Errors

Mistakes happen — and they can hurt your score.If you find inaccuracies (like incorrect late payments or accounts that aren’t yours), dispute them immediately with the credit bureau.

3. Pay Your Bills on Time

On-time payments are one of the biggest factors in your credit score.Set up automatic payments or calendar reminders to make sure you never miss a due date.

4. Pay Down Credit Card Balances

High credit card balances can hurt your credit utilization ratio, which measures how much of your available credit you're using.Aim to keep utilization below 30% — even better if you can get it under 10%.

5. Avoid Opening New Accounts

Each time you apply for credit, it triggers a hard inquiry, which can temporarily ding your score.If you're planning to buy a home soon, it’s best to avoid new credit cards, car loans, or other credit inquiries.

6. Don’t Close Old Accounts

Older credit accounts help build your credit history length.Even if you don't use an old card much, keep it open and active with small purchases paid off monthly.

7. Pay More Than the Minimum

Paying just the minimum keeps you in debt longer.Try to pay extra toward your balances each month — it will lower your debt faster and positively impact your score.

8. Ask for a Credit Limit Increase

If your income has increased or you’ve been making consistent payments, you might qualify for a higher credit limit.A bigger limit (without increasing your balance) can help improve your utilization ratio.

9. Become an Authorized User

If you have a family member with great credit, ask if they’ll add you as an authorized user on their credit card.Their good payment history can help boost your score without you needing to use the card.

10. Settle Any Collections

Collections can be major red flags for mortgage lenders.If you have accounts in collections, try negotiating a "pay-for-delete" agreement to have the account removed once paid.

11. Keep an Eye on Your Credit Monthly

Use a free credit monitoring service to track your progress.It’s motivating to see your score rise — and you’ll be alerted quickly if any issues pop up.

12. Work with a Loan Expert Early

At Clarity Home Lending, we don't just process loans — we help guide you.Our team can review your credit early, identify ways to boost it, and even connect you with credit resources to get mortgage-ready faster.

Ready to Make Dallas-Fort Worth Your Home?

Improving your credit score doesn’t have to be overwhelming — and you don’t have to do it alone.At Clarity Home Lending, we’re here to walk you through every step, from credit prep to closing day.

When you're ready to talk about your homeownership goals, reach out — we’re just a phone call or email away.

This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always consult with a financial advisor regarding your unique situation.