 TITLE: Is Refinancing Harder When You’re Self-Employed? CONTENT: Get Your Credit Ready to Refinance Your Mortgage\n------------------------------------------------\nA good credit score goes a long way toward helping you refinance. Here's how to get yours in shape.\n*   **Review your credit report.** Get a copy of your credit report and check it for accuracy. If you spot what you believe to be incorrect or fraudulent information, file a dispute with the credit reporting agencies right away. Since an outstanding dispute can make it harder to get approved for a mortgage, be sure to get any disputes on your credit report resolved before you apply.\n*   **Check your credit score.** If necessary, work on improving your score before you apply to refinance your mortgage. You can help improve your credit score by reducing your credit utilization ratio, paying down debt and making all your payments on time.\n*   **Avoid applying for new credit.** Don't apply for any credit cards or loans in the months before you try to refinance. Whenever you apply for new credit, it generates a hard inquiry into your credit history, which can temporarily lower your credit score. In addition, lenders may view applications for a new credit as a sign that you're having financial trouble and need credit to stay afloat. END