Worried that past credit mistakes might keep you from buying a home? David breaks down how credit scores actually work for mortgages, sharing practical steps to improve your score and explaining why that forgotten $12 water bill from three apartments ago might be more important than you think. He also covers major changes coming in 2025 that could give millions of Americans a fresh start by removing medical debt from credit reports.

Quote

"Time with credit score is everything. The sooner you begin, the better your results. Don't bury your head in the sand—it's all fixable."

Key Highlights

• Could your rental payments actually boost your credit score? Discover how to leverage your biggest monthly payment to improve your creditworthiness
• What if you could "borrow" decades of credit history instantly? Learn about the authorized user "magic trick" that raised the host's score by 40 points in two weeks
• Is a 760 credit score the same as an 820 for home loans? Understand how mortgage lenders actually view your score in 20-point tiers
• Why are you losing thousands by waiting to check your credit? The truth about hard pulls and why timing is crucial
• Could the 2025 medical debt removal boost your score by 20+ points? New regulations affecting $49 billion in medical debt

Referenced Episodes

• Credit Score Deep Dives: Episodes 3, 8, 56, 61, 64, 90, 199
• PMI Episodes: 198 ("PMI is a Privilege"), 216 ("PMI is a Privilege and Still Not the Devil")
• Credit Professional Interview: Episode 164

Important Tips for First-Time Buyers

1. Start Early: Credit improvements take 60-90 days to reflect. Begin working on your score 1-2 years before buying.
2. Check Real Reports: Use AnnualCreditReport.com, not Credit Karma. Credit professionals have never seen a report without mistakes.
3. Strategic Credit Use: Keep card utilization at 7% (not 0% or 100%) for optimal scores.
4. Medical Debt Relief: New 2025 CFPB regulations remove $49 billion in medical debt from credit reports.
5. Down Payment Strategy: Don't wait to save 20% if it means years of extra rent. A good credit score can make PMI more affordable.

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David Sidoni, the "How to Buy a Home Guy," is a seasoned real estate professional and consumer advocate with over 18 years of experience helping first-time homebuyers navigate the real estate market. His podcast, "How to Buy a Home," is a trusted resource for anyone looking to buy their first home. It offers expert advice, actionable tips, and inspiring stories from real first-time homebuyers. With a focus on making the home-buying process accessible and understandable, David breaks down complex topics into easy-to-follow steps, covering everything from budgeting and financing to finding the right home and making an offer.

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