 TITLE: What Is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? CONTENT: Improve Your Credit to Score a Lower Rate\n-----------------------------------------\nAn ARM can provide a lower interest rate than a fixed-rate mortgage. But if your credit isn't in great shape, your rate will still be higher than what you could qualify for with a better credit score.\nCheck your credit score to find out where you stand, and get a copy of your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com to determine which areas you may need to address. If you're not in a hurry, take some time to work on improving your credit before you start the mortgage preapproval process. It can take time to build your credit, but doing so could save you thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars over the life of your mortgage loan. END