CLASSES & JOBS

When talks of purchasing a home make their way into a new marriage, they are often met with a tremendous amount of excitement. Dreams of cooking special meals in the large kitchen, images of frolicking in the creek just out back or talk about future holidays with your ever-growing family are just the tip of the iceberg. What often happens is that the reality of the situation is overshadowed by the magic of it all.

One of the biggest mistakes a couple can make is failing to check their own credit prior to applying for their mortgage. Forget about the old-wives tales about points being taken from your credit score if you check it. The truth is that you are entitled to one free copy of your credit report from each of the three big credit reporting companies. This type of credit check is called a “soft pull,” and it doesn’t show up on your report. If you take the time to check your credit report, you will be able to remove any discrepancies prior to applying for a mortgage. You could ultimately save an interest rate percentage point or two by cleaning up your credit report!