What’s in your credit report?

If you’re thinking about purchasing a home in the future, there’s no time like the present to obtain your credit report and score. With all the security breaches that have occurred in the past year, you’ll definitely want to check to see if you have any errors in your report or someone has been using your credit —before you apply for a home loan.

The truth is, knowing your credit score is an important part of preparing for any big purchase. In fact, monitoring your credit is simply a good idea any time.

Getting a copy of your report and score is simple. Each credit reporting agency is required under federal law to provide consumers with one free credit report annually. This will help you keep an eye out for any errors. You can also access your credit score. Your credit score is a three-digit number designed to reflect the quality of your credit. It can take some time to correct any errors in your credit report, so the earlier you do this, the better.

Before you start your home search, you’ll also want to get pre-approved for a home loan. That way, you’ll know how much home you can afford and you’ll be able to start making offers on homes in your price range. Most buyers will accept offers only from home buyers who have been pre-approved for financing. We can help with that!

Once you have your financing lined up, it’s time to find a real estate agent who can help you find the best home for you and your family. It’s estimated that 88 percent of all buyers purchase their homes through an agent. The advice and assistance of a knowledgeable real estate agent can be invaluable in the home-buying process.

The opinions expressed in this blog are solely my own and do not express the views of my employer.