Before you start calculating budgets or scrolling through listings, take a breath. Buying a home isn’t just a financial decision. It’s an emotional one, too. It’s about where you’ll sleep, gather, celebrate, grow, rest, recover. This is your life we’re talking about. So let’s begin with the heart.

Your credit score is more than a three-digit number. It’s a snapshot of how you’ve managed debt, bills, and financial obligations over time. To a lender, it’s your reputation in the world of borrowing. The higher the score, the lower the risk. And the lower the risk, the better the loan you’re likely to qualify for. Sounds simple, right? But like most things in real estate, the reality is a little more nuanced.

Your credit score is more than a three-digit number. It’s a snapshot of how you’ve managed debt, bills, and financial obligations over time. To a lender, it’s your reputation in the world of borrowing. The higher the score, the lower the risk. And the lower the risk, the better the loan you’re likely to qualify for. Sounds simple, right? But like most things in real estate, the reality is a little more nuanced.