Buying your first home is exciting—until your credit score throws a wrench in the works. 

The truth is, small missteps can cost you big when it’s time to qualify for a mortgage. 

Here are 5 credit mistakes every first-time homebuyer should steer clear of:

1. Ignoring Your Credit Report

If you haven’t pulled your credit in the last 6 months, do it now. Errors happen, and catching them early could be the difference between approval and denial.

2. Making Big Purchases Before Closing

Buying a new car or furniture before your loan closes? Bad move. New debt can mess with your debt-to-income ratio and delay or even kill your deal.

3. Closing Old Credit Cards

 It feels smart to “clean up” your credit, but closing old accounts actually shortens your credit history—something lenders don’t love.

4. Opening New Credit Lines

Every new application dings your score a little. Stack up a few, and suddenly your “good” score takes a hit right when you need it most.

5. Missing a Single Payment

Just one late payment can knock your score down and stay on your report for years. Set reminders, automate it, do what you gotta do.

Buying your first home should be a milestone, not a minefield. 

Keep your credit clean, ask questions, and team up with a loan officer who’s got your back.