Direct answer: Pull and compare your reports, document only genuine errors, protect every existing payment, keep balances and cash needs visible, and avoid surprise applications or account changes. A mortgage provider may check credit during the application and again shortly before closing, so discuss any new loan, card, balance transfer, or account closure with the lender or a HUD-approved housing counselor before acting.

Days 60–46: review the facts

  1. Request all available reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.
  2. Compare names, addresses, account ownership, balances, limits, payment status, dates, collections, and inquiries.
  3. Mark what is unfamiliar, what is unfavorable but accurate, and what you can support as inaccurate or incomplete.
  4. Save dated copies so you can explain exactly what changed later.

Do not assume a consumer-facing score is the score a mortgage lender will use. Prepare the underlying reports, cash flow, and documents—not a screenshot of one number.

Days 45–31: stabilize payments and obligations

Build a master list of every payment due before and during the expected closing window. Confirm the due date, minimum amount, payment method, cash coverage, reminder, and confirmation step. If an automatic payment depends on a low bank balance, add an earlier cash check.

Review revolving balances and statement dates, but do not drain emergency or closing cash to chase a utilization target without discussing the full plan with the lender. There is no single utilization percentage that guarantees mortgage approval or pricing.

Days 30–16: handle genuine errors carefully

If you identify a factual error, create an evidence packet and use the CFPB's current dispute process. A reporting company generally has 30 days to investigate, with 45 days in some circumstances. That timing is one reason to start early, but a dispute is not guaranteed to finish before your target date.

Tell the lender about an active dispute. Mortgage underwriting rules and provider requests can vary, and an unresolved dispute may require explanation or follow-up. Never dispute accurate information solely to try to change a score.

Days 15–1: verify and preserve

  • Recheck every upcoming payment and recent confirmation.
  • Update the document packet requested by the lender.
  • Keep records supporting deposits, transfers, debt payments, and explanations.
  • Ask before financing furniture, a vehicle, a phone, repairs, or another large purchase.
  • Avoid moving money or changing accounts in a way you cannot document.
“Open nothing, close nothing” is too absolute. The safer rule is: do not make an unplanned credit or account change during the mortgage process. If a change is necessary, discuss it with the mortgage professional first and document the decision.

Your 60-day checklist

  1. Pull and save all three reports.
  2. Separate genuine errors from accurate negative information.
  3. Protect each due date with a repeatable payment system.
  4. Discuss new applications, closures, transfers, and payoff decisions before acting.
  5. Organize income, asset, debt, identity, and explanation records.
  6. Recheck the file and payment calendar before the application and closing.

When to get human guidance

A HUD-approved housing counselor can help you understand the homebuying process. A qualified attorney may be appropriate for unresolved identity theft, lawsuits, collection disputes, or legal deadlines. Your mortgage loan officer or underwriter is the source for provider-specific document and timing requirements.

Authoritative sources

Written by and reviewed by the DueSmart Editorial Team under the DueSmart editorial policy. This is general education—not mortgage, legal, financial, or credit-repair advice. Provider rules, deadlines, underwriting, and personal facts vary. No score, rate, approval, or closing outcome is guaranteed.