Hey there — if you’re thinking about buying your first home (or even just eyeballing the market), I’ve got some excellent news for you. Significant changes are happening with how lenders view credit scores — and if you play it smart, you could stand out as a stronger borrower. Let’s unpack exactly what’s shifting, why it matters, and what you can do right now to stack the odds in your favor. What’s Changing in Mortgage Scoring For the bulk of home loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the “GSEs”), the game just changed. Traditional model = FICO Historically, lenders underwriting GSE-eligible loans have relied almost exclusively on versions of the FICO Score. That means your payment history, credit utilization, length of history, and credit mix have been the go-to inputs. New kid on the block = VantageScore 4.0 Now, lenders can also use the VantageScore 4.0 model, created by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The regulator (Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA) announced that GSE-backed mortgages may now accept VantageScore 4.0 scores alongside the traditional FICO requirements. VantageScore+2Freddie Mac+2 Why this matters But — yes, there’s a caveat. Even though the GSEs can accept VantageScore 4.0, not every lender has switched over or will automatically use it. Many still rely on older FICO versions or internal decision rules. So your mileage may vary. luminate.bank+1 Mini Real-World Example Let’s bring this to life with a quick scenario — meet Alex (name changed to protect the world). Alex is 29, renting