| As part of the loan application   process, virtually all lenders will want to see a copy of your credit report.   The report will list all your long-term debts (credit cards, mortgage payments,   automobile and student loans, etc), as well as your payment history. If you   don't have a copy of your credit report, most lenders will generally require you   to pay for a copy when they process your loan application. | 
                    
                    
                      | Obtain your credit report before you start shopping for a new home. Listed below are the three major credit reporting agencies. | 
                    
                    
                      | Most real estate experts   agree that it is a good idea to obtain a copy of your credit report several   months before you apply for a loan. This is so you have a chance to resolve any   problems with your credit before your bank sees it. U.S. Federal law ensures   that you have access to your credit report, which may be obtained from your   local credit bureau or any of several national firms that specialize in credit   reports. | 
                    
                    
                      |  For most   people, problems with their credit report are likely related to late payments on   a debt. If you were late one month in paying off your credit card, but otherwise   have a good payment history, chances are most lenders won't be too concerned.   But if you have a history of late payments you'll need to document the reasons   why. A slow payment history won't necessarily get you turned down for a loan,   but you may have to pay a higher rate of interest or otherwise prove to the   lender that you can repay your loan in a timely fashion. | 
                    
                    
                      |  Many people are surprised to learn that credit reports can often   contains errors or inaccurate information. If this is the case with your credit   report, you'll need to contact the reporting agency or creditor to have the   problem resolved. This can sometimes be a slow process, so make sure to give   yourself time to clear up the mistake. | 
                    
                    
                      |  There's no getting around it, a bankruptcy on your credit   report is not a good thing. But that doesn't mean you still can't obtain a loan.   Even though a bankruptcy may stay on your credit report for seven to ten years,   lenders will often consider the circumstances surrounding a bankruptcy (family   illness, injury, etc.). Moreover, if you have reestablished good credit since   the bankruptcy, a lender will be more inclined to approve your   application.  |