@whatsamortgage_: If you’re trying to fix your credit to buy a house, make sure you avoid these two huge mistakes. Mistake #1: When paying off collections or old debts, do not just ask for a completion letter. A completion letter only shows that you paid the debt. It does NOT automatically improve your credit score the way most people think. What you want to ask for is a deletion letter or “pay for delete.” That means the creditor agrees to remove the derogatory account from your credit report after the debt is paid. A typical agreement might say: “If you pay this balance by this date, we agree to delete the derogatory account from your credit profile.” That deletion is what can help improve your credit profile when trying to qualify for a home loan. Mistake #2: Do not pay credit repair companies just to dispute everything on your credit report. A lot of people see their scores temporarily go up because disputed accounts can sometimes be excluded from scoring models. But here’s the problem… When you apply for a mortgage, lenders usually require disputes to be removed before final approval. Once those disputes come off, your score can drop again, and now you’re right back where you started. That’s why temporary score boosts from disputes can become a major problem during the home buying process. If your goal is homeownership: • Focus on cleaning up your credit correctly • Try negotiating deletions when possible • Avoid temporary “quick fixes” • Build long-term credit habits lenders actually want to see The goal is not just getting your score up temporarily. The goal is getting approved for the home. Follow for mortgage and real estate tips.

Minh Nguyen | Mortgage Broker

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Tuesday 26 May 2026 14:10:13 GMT