 TITLE: What Kind of Mortgage Interest Rate Can I Get With a 750 Credit Score? CONTENT: How to Improve Your Credit Score Before Applying for a Mortgage\n---------------------------------------------------------------\nThere are several ways you can improve credit relatively quickly. Taking a few simple steps prior to applying for a mortgage could help increase your chances of approval and may help you lock in a favorable low interest rate.\n*   **Pay down existing debt.** Lenders will look at your debt payments as a ratio of your income when calculating how much you can borrow. This is called your DTI, or debt to income ratio, and paying down debts now can help improve this ratio for when you apply for a mortgage. Also, paying down revolving debts—like credit card balances—can help improve your credit utilization ratio and help you boost your score in a short period of time.\n*   **Keep paying bills on time.** Your payment history is the most important aspect of your credit score. Lenders view late and missed payments as signs you may not manage your finances well, which can affect their comfort level when it comes to taking you on as a borrower.\n*   **Dispute any inaccurate information.** Mistakes and fraud can happen, so if you see information you believe to be inaccurate on your credit report, make sure to file a dispute with one or all of the three main credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) as soon as possible.\n*   **Don't apply for new credit.** During the mortgage approval process, even small changes to your credit can disrupt the underwriting process and disqualify you for a loan. Any applications for new credit will appear in your credit reports, and could cause a lender to change their mind. Creditors will pull your credit reports right before issuing you a mortgage (even if they've done it before for a preapproval), so it's important to make sure not to make drastic changes leading up to your closing date.\nIf you aren't sure where your credit stands, get a free copy of your credit report and scores from Experian to understand what lenders will see when they consider your application and what areas of improvement you may have. END