A “credit score” is a numerical index which represents an estimate of an individual's financial creditworthiness. Today’s credit reports contain both your credit history and your credit scores. Mortgage lenders are required to pull information from Transunion, Equifax and Experian all of which have their own scoring models (as a consumer, you are entitled to one free credit report per year from each credit bureau). Thus the scores will be different for all three, ranging from a low of 300 to a high of 850, with the later being the best. While scores are not generally considered for FHA and VA mortgages, all other mortgage programs do require the use of credit scores as an integral part of the loan pre-approval process. Credit scores are like the Holy Grail of the mortgage pre-approval process as they dictate both the mortgage product(s) and interest rate(s) available to each applicant. Beyond that, credit scores also impact the rates consumers pay for personal loans, car loans, credit cards, etc. For assistance with credit counseling, please visit the HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies or one of our preferred certified credit counselors.