How to make sure you have the highest credit score possible

To maximize your credit score, you should avoid applying for any new credit cards or consumer loans. Don’t go to the discount store and take them up on the “No interest, no payments for one year” offer — and avoid financing a car!

After you buy your home and get your mortgage you can do all of these things, but before then it’s a bad idea. Buying things on credit hurts your credit score, and leaves less money for your down payment. Lenders also look at this figure to decide how much money they will lend you, and how much interest they will charge you on the loan. That’s why it’s best to wait until after you’ve bought your home to go shopping for furniture and appliances. There is also another reason to wait. Once you’ve bought your home, you can get a loan for up to 100% of your home’s value to buy anything you want. If you learn to play by the rules of the lenders’ game, you can get the best credit score possible, which improves the odds that you can get the home of your dreams.