Credit for a mortgage
Check your credit reports before applying for a mortgage
A lender will see your credit reports within minutes of your application. If there is a wrong late payment or an account that is not yours, you want to find it months earlier, when you still have time to fix it.
Reviewed November 2026 · Written for Buy Home Tips from the sources listed below
Your credit reports are the raw records behind every credit score a lender will use. The CFPB describes a credit report as a statement of your credit activity and current credit situation, such as your payment history and the status of your accounts. Most people have more than one report, because creditors are not required to report to every credit reporting company. That is why a mortgage review should cover all three: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Where to get them
Use AnnualCreditReport.com, the site authorized by federal law. The CFPB says you can view your reports from each of the three companies there once a week for free. You can also request them by phone or mail. Be careful with other sites that promise free reports; some require you to buy a product or sign up for a service you then have to cancel.
What to review, line by line
Mortgage underwriters look closely at a few things. Review them the same way.
- Personal information. Wrong names or addresses can signal a mixed file or identity theft.
- Every open account. Confirm it is yours, the balance is right and the credit limit is reported. A missing limit can make a card look maxed out.
- Payment history. Look for late payments in the last two years in particular, and compare them with your own records.
- Collections and public records. Note who reported them, the amounts and the dates.
- Closed accounts. Make sure accounts you closed show as closed and any balance paid shows as zero.
- Inquiries. Hard inquiries you do not recognize can be a sign that someone applied for credit in your name.
How to dispute an error
The CFPB's guidance is to dispute with the credit reporting company first, explaining in writing what is wrong and why, with copies of your supporting documents. Then dispute with the company that supplied the information, such as the bank or card issuer. Keep copies of what you send and note the dates.
If the error comes from identity theft, the CFPB points to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
When to check
Six months before you plan to apply is a good first review. That leaves time for disputes, for paying down balances and for a second look. Check again about a month before preapproval to confirm fixes have stuck and nothing new has appeared. After you apply, keep watching: lenders often recheck credit before closing, and a new account or late payment in between can change the loan.
What the lender sees that you might not
Your lender will order a mortgage credit report with scores from the three bureaus. Many lenders use the middle of the three scores for each borrower, which is why one report with an error can matter even if the other two are clean. The calculator on this page shows which score counts under that common rule.
Mini calculator: which credit score counts
Mortgage lenders usually pull a score from each of the three bureaus. Under FHA’s long-standing rule the middle score counts, and with two applicants the lower of the two middle scores counts.
Lenders and loan programs can apply their own rules. Ask your lender which score they used and why.
Your credit report review
- Get reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Check your name, addresses and employers for anything you do not recognize.
- Confirm every account belongs to you and shows the right balance and limit.
- Look for late payments you believe were on time, and find your proof.
- Note collections, judgments or duplicate accounts.
- Dispute errors in writing with the bureau and the company that reported them.
- Save copies of everything you send and receive.
Questions buyers ask
How often can I get my credit reports for free?
The CFPB says you can get a free report from each of the three major credit reporting companies once a week at AnnualCreditReport.com. That is the official site; other sites that advertise free reports may try to sell you something.
Does checking my own credit report hurt my score?
No. Checking your own report is not a credit application. Hard inquiries come from lenders reviewing credit when you apply.
Do my reports include my credit score?
The free reports from AnnualCreditReport.com do not have to include a score. Your lender will pull scores when you apply, and some banks and card issuers show you a score for free.
How long does a dispute take?
The CFPB says companies that furnish information generally must investigate and respond within 30 days of receiving a dispute, and the credit reporting company must investigate the disputes it receives. Start early so a correction can appear before your lender pulls your credit.
Sources checked for this page
- CFPB: how do I get a free copy of my credit reports
- CFPB: how do I dispute an error on my credit report
- CFPB: what is a credit report
- AnnualCreditReport.com
Checked November 2026. Programs and limits change; confirm with the source before you rely on a figure.