Credit score is one of the first things buyers worry about when they start thinking about a mortgage — and for good reason. It affects what programs you qualify for, what interest rate you receive, and in some cases how your entire application is evaluated. But the relationship between credit score and mortgage qualification is more nuanced than most people realize, and it’s changing.
This guide covers what you actually need to know: the minimums by program, how lenders use credit scores, what the difference between a credit score and a credit report really means, how your score affects your rate, and what’s shifted in the way conventional loans evaluate credit. [Read more…]
Freddie Mac’s Bulletin 2026-1 brings a meaningful change for buyers and homeowners in the greater Seattle area. Starting with applications dated April 12, 2026, high balance conforming loans are no longer eligible under the Home Possible program. For homebuyers in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, this change directly affects your low-down-payment options on higher-priced homes.
When you 
How Much Home Can I Actually Afford?
