Getting Your Credit in Shape to Get a Mortgage

Louisiana REALTORS® • July 11, 2024

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments you will ever make. Getting a mortgage is a critical stage in this process, and getting a mortgage  with favorable terms depends in large part on your credit score. Lenders use your credit score to determine your creditworthiness, which affects the interest rates and terms of the loans they offer. Preparing your credit before applying for a mortgage can save you hundreds of dollars over the course of the loan.


Understanding Credit Scores

Your credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, typically ranging from 300 to 850. The higher your score, the better your creditworthiness in the eyes of lenders. Credit scores are calculated based on several factors:


  • Payment History (35%): Your record of on-time payments.
  • Credit Utilization (30%): The amount of credit you're using compared to your credit limits.
  • Length of Credit History (15%): The average age of your credit accounts.
  • Credit Mix (10%): The variety of credit types you have, such as credit cards, loans, and mortgages.
  • New Credit (10%): The number of recent credit inquiries and newly opened accounts.


Steps to Improve Your Credit Score

Review Your Credit Reports

Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are the three main credit bureaus. Start by acquiring your credit reports from each. Every bureau is required to provide you with a free report once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com. Carefully check these reports for mistakes, such as inaccurate account information or fraudulent activity, and raise any discrepancies that you find.

 

Make Payments On Time

Your credit score is mostly influenced by the payment history you have provided. It's important to always pay your payments on time. For peace of mind, set up automated payments or reminders so you never forget a deadline. Your credit score can be severely impacted by even one late payment.

 

Cut Down on Credit Usage

The ratio of your outstanding credit card balances to your credit limits is known as credit usage. To raise your score, try to keep your utilization below 30%. Reduce your balances or ask for an increase in your credit limit, if at all possible (but avoid piling on extra debt).


Don't Create New Credit Accounts

Opening new credit accounts to increase your available credit may seem appealing, but doing so will temporarily drop your score because of hard queries and a decline in the average age of existing accounts. Create new accounts only when it is absolutely required.

 

Keep Your Old Credit Accounts Open

Keep older accounts open even if you don't use them much since your credit history matters. Your credit score may suffer if you close old accounts because doing so can decrease your credit history and lower your total amount of available credit.


Mix Up Your Credit

A variety of credit kinds, such as retail accounts, installment loans, and credit cards, can all help raise your score. However, only take on additional credit types if you can responsibly manage the payments and it makes sense for your financial condition.

 

Reduce Debt Wisely

Prioritize paying off high-interest debt in order to save money on interest and expedite the reduction of your total debt. To speed up your debt repayment, think about applying the avalanche or snowball methods, which pay off high-interest debt first and smaller balances last, respectively.


Keep an Eye on Your Credit

Use credit monitoring services to keep an eye on your credit record and score. Frequent monitoring keeps you updated on any changes to your credit score and warns you of any unusual activity that might have an impact on it.


Timing Your Mortgage Application

Work on raising your credit score well in advance of when you intend to apply for a mortgage, as it takes time. Try to start half a year or more in advance. You have this window of time to make adjustments and observe how they improve your credit score.

 

It's crucial to improve your credit before applying for a mortgage in order to get the best potential loan conditions. You can raise your creditworthiness and chances of acceptance by being aware of the elements that affect your credit score and taking proactive measures to raise it. Your REALTOR® and your lender can also provide helpful ways to make sure that your credit is in a place to get you the most favorable terms for your mortgage. 

RESOURCES FOR BUYING A HOME
By Louisiana REALTORS® September 4, 2026
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Spot aims to make reimbursement simple and fast. Most claims are processed within 48 hours, helping you recover costs quickly. Does Spot cover follow-up care after an emergency? Yes. If the condition is covered under your policy, Spot also helps reimburse eligible follow-up visits and treatments after the initial emergency care. Key Takeaway When emergencies happen, Spot Pet Insurance is there to help — helping to give pet parents financial relief and peace of mind during stressful moments. With plans that cover eligible costs for accidents, illnesses, and emergency treatments, Spot helps you focus on what matters most: getting your pet the care they need, when they need it. With customizable plans, fast claims processing, and up to 90% reimbursement, Spot makes it easier for pet parents to handle the unexpected — because caring for your pet shouldn’t come with financial worry. Follow this link to learn more about pet insurance, or get a free quote today! 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By Louisiana REALTORS® August 25, 2026
Louisiana REALTORS® CEO Norman Morris issued the following statement after SpaceX announced plans to invest $100 billion in a new launch facility in Vermilion Parish. The project is expected to create 3,000 direct jobs and more than 8,100 indirect jobs across Acadiana. “SpaceX’s investment is an extraordinary economic win for Louisiana. We congratulate Governor Jeff Landry, Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois, Vermilion Parish leaders, and everyone who helped bring this historic project home. The housing and infrastructure improvements needed to support more than 11,000 new job opportunities should generate a huge economic boost to the Acadiana and Gulf Coast region. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, each typical Louisiana home sale generates approximately $88,600 in economic activity. Even if only half of the new SpaceX related jobs lead to a home purchase, the impact would generate nearly half a billion dollars across our state's economy. That improves our tax base and school systems, and ripples through our economy touching builders, bankers, hardware stores, appliance dealers, contractors and so many more. “Housing is not downstream of economic development; it is an essential infrastructure. Louisiana REALTORS® and our partners stand ready to help turn these new jobs into homes, stronger communities and lasting roots in Louisiana. Economic development creates jobs, but housing turns those jobs into homes. Let’s make Louisiana home again, together.” Economic-impact estimates are illustrative calculations by Louisiana REALTORS® using employment projections from Louisiana Economic Development and the National Association of REALTORS®’ estimated economic impact per typical Louisiana home sale. They are not forecasts or recurring annual-impact figures. Enjoy the video below from the Louisiana Department of Economic Development .
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