The Credit Score Playbook
What actually moves your score before a mortgage, what doesn't, and the mid-process mistakes that blow up closings.
The two levers that matter most
- Payment history (~35% of your score). One late payment can undo months of work. Autopay the minimums on everything, always — you can pay extra manually.
- Utilization (~30%). The share of your credit limits you're using. Getting cards below 30% of their limits helps; below 10% helps more. This lever moves fast — often within a statement cycle.
Where the bar actually is
You don't need an 800. FHA financing commonly works from the low 600s (sometimes upper 500s with more down), CAFA Platinum starts at 620, and the Capital Advantage programs at 640. Knowing your target program tells you your target score — which turns "fix my credit" into a specific, finishable project.
Quick wins (in rough order of speed)
Pay down card balances
The fastest legitimate score improvement there is. Prioritize cards closest to maxed out.
Dispute genuine errors
Pull free reports from all three bureaus at annualcreditreport.com. If something is genuinely wrong — not just unflattering — dispute it directly with the bureau for free.
Become an authorized user
A family member with an old, clean, low-balance card can add you as an authorized user, lending you some of that history.
Then: time
Negative marks fade in influence as they age. Six months of on-time payments and low balances does more than any trick.
The "do not touch" list once you're in process
From pre-approval to closing day, your credit gets re-checked. Between those two moments:
- 🚫 No new credit cards (yes, even the store card offering 10% off)
- 🚫 No new car loans or leases
- 🚫 No co-signing for anyone
- 🚫 No closing old cards (it can raise utilization and shorten history)
- 🚫 No large unexplained deposits — every dollar needs a paper trail
Educational content only. Fairway is not a credit repair organization and this content is not credit repair advice. For personalized guidance, consult a qualified professional.
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