If you’ve been thinking that, it might be the right time to buy a home you should start taking a look at your credit. It’s the one most important factor, next to income verification, that will determine whether you will be able to qualify for your mortgage and buy your home.

It begins before you even find a mortgage provider you need to know what your credit report says about you and what your credit score is. Your mortgage lender is going to pull this information before they make any commitment to you. Without a good credit score, you may have difficulty qualifying for a mortgage.

Now’s a good time to work on improving any blemishes on your credit report. If at all possible now is the time to repair it. If you have overdue debts get it brought up to date. Don’t make any major purchases because they could affect your credit score and you might not be able to qualify for that all important mortgage.

According to The Journal there are three ways to quickly improve your credit score listed below.

1 Pay on Time - the most important factor to a potential lender is if you pay your bills on time and in full.
2. Use a Variety of Credit - A variety of credit, which includes bank loans, credit cards, etc. shows you are capable of handling different types of payments.
3. Keep Accounts Open - It is a bad idea to open a credit card to take advantage of a discount then close it right away. The longer your credit history, the higher your credit rating will be.

Owning a home is usually the biggest financial investment you’ll ever make. It can be a bit scary, but it also fills you with a sense of pride. Finally, you are a homeowner; you have made an investment in your family and your future. Remember, it all begins with a healthy credit score.