 TITLE: Can I Buy a House With a 700 Credit Score? CONTENT: How to Improve Your Credit Score Before Applying for a Mortgage\n---------------------------------------------------------------\nEven if your credit score is high enough to meet the minimum requirements, it's still wise to work on improving your credit score before applying for a mortgage loan.\nTo start, check your credit report and credit score to see where you stand. Both can give you an idea of which areas could impact your chances of getting approved and how to address them.\nOther ways to get your credit ready for a mortgage include:\n*   Stop applying for new credit.\n*   Limit large purchases on your credit cards.\n*   Pay down credit card debt to reduce your credit utilization rate.\n*   Make sure you pay your bills on time and get caught up on any past-due payments and collection accounts.\n*   Avoid closing old credit card accounts.\n*   Search for and dispute inaccurate information on your credit reports.\nSome of these steps can take some time to start reflecting on your credit score. But if it means shaving even a fraction of a percentage point off your interest rate, making the effort can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. END