Free credit tools for home buyers from The Rate Update with Dan Frio

FREE VANTAGESCORE
Credit Scores & MoreA Rate Update resource · Credit help for home buyers
Credit Scores and More
  • 1. FREE SCORE
    • Start Here: Get Mortgage-Ready in 5 Steps
    • Opt Out of Prescreened Offers (Do This First)
    • What Is a Good Credit Score?
    • 10 Credit Score Myths
    • Credit Sesame vs. Credit Karma
  • 2. MORTGAGE SCORES
    • Credit Score Needed to Buy a House
    • Which Score Do Lenders Use? FICO vs. VantageScore
    • What Is the Most Accurate Credit Score Site?
    • UltraFICO Score Explained
  • 3. BUILD CREDIT
    • The Best Way to Monitor Your Credit
    • Boost Your Credit Score Fast: 7 Tips
    • How to Fix Your Credit in 4 Steps
    • Best Credit Repair Options
    • The Real Problem With Credit Reports
    • Credit Advice From a Lending Veteran
  • 4. BUDGET
    • Budgeting Tools: Solvit (60 Days Free) & YNAB
    • What Home Buyers Need to Know About Credit Scores
  • 5. READY TO BUY
    • Compare 30+ Mortgage Lenders (The Rate Update)
    • First-Time Home Buyer Guide (The Rate Update)
    • 5-Day HELOC for Homeowners (The Rate Update)
    • Protect Your Home From Deed Fraud
  • BLOG
Credit Scores & MoreA Rate Update resource · Credit help for home buyers
Credit Scores and More
  • 1. FREE SCORE
    • Start Here: Get Mortgage-Ready in 5 Steps
    • Opt Out of Prescreened Offers (Do This First)
    • What Is a Good Credit Score?
    • 10 Credit Score Myths
    • Credit Sesame vs. Credit Karma
  • 2. MORTGAGE SCORES
    • Credit Score Needed to Buy a House
    • Which Score Do Lenders Use? FICO vs. VantageScore
    • What Is the Most Accurate Credit Score Site?
    • UltraFICO Score Explained
  • 3. BUILD CREDIT
    • The Best Way to Monitor Your Credit
    • Boost Your Credit Score Fast: 7 Tips
    • How to Fix Your Credit in 4 Steps
    • Best Credit Repair Options
    • The Real Problem With Credit Reports
    • Credit Advice From a Lending Veteran
  • 4. BUDGET
    • Budgeting Tools: Solvit (60 Days Free) & YNAB
    • What Home Buyers Need to Know About Credit Scores
  • 5. READY TO BUY
    • Compare 30+ Mortgage Lenders (The Rate Update)
    • First-Time Home Buyer Guide (The Rate Update)
    • 5-Day HELOC for Homeowners (The Rate Update)
    • Protect Your Home From Deed Fraud
  • BLOG

Author: Dan Frio

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Credit Scores
UltraFICO graphic over a person holding a credit card, asking whether tradelines still work

UltraFICO Score: How Your Bank Account Can Help Your Credit

UltraFICO Score: How Your Bank Account Can Help Your Credit Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. The UltraFICO Score lets you add your bank account history to your credit profile. If you have little credit history, or […]

September 30, 2026 / Dan Frio / 0 Comments
Credit Scores
What is your credit score

Why Are There Different Credit Scores? FICO vs. VantageScore, and the One Your Lender Uses

Why Do I Have Different Credit Scores? FICO vs. VantageScore, and the One Your Lender Uses Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. Quick answer: You have different credit scores because FICO and VantageScore use different formulas, each […]

September 30, 2026 / Dan Frio / 0 Comments
Credit Scores

What Is a Good Credit Score? FICO and VantageScore Ranges Explained

What Is a Good Credit Score? FICO and VantageScore Ranges Explained Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. A “good” credit score depends on what you’re applying for. A score that gets you a credit card may not […]

September 30, 2026 / Dan Frio / 0 Comments
Credit Monitoring

Credit Sesame vs. Credit Karma: Which Free Credit App Is Better?

Credit Sesame vs. Credit Karma: Which Free Credit App Is Better? Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. Credit Sesame and Credit Karma are the two best-known free credit apps. Neither asks for a credit card, and neither […]

September 30, 2026 / Dan Frio / 0 Comments
Credit Monitoring Credit Scores

Where to Get Free Credit Scores and Credit Monitoring

Where to Get Free Credit Scores and Credit Monitoring Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. You don’t have to pay to see your credit score or your credit reports. Here are the best free sources, what each […]

September 30, 2026 / Dan Frio / 0 Comments
Credit Repair

Dovly Review: Can an AI Credit Repair App Raise Your Score?

Dovly Review: Can an AI Credit Repair App Raise Your Score? Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. Dovly is a credit repair and credit-building app that uses AI to review your credit report, find items that may […]

September 30, 2026 / Dan Frio / 0 Comments
Build Credit

Self vs. Credit Strong: Which Credit Builder Is Right for You?

Self vs. Credit Strong: Which Credit Builder Is Right for You? Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. If you have no credit, thin credit, or you’re rebuilding after a rough patch, a credit-builder account is one of […]

September 30, 2026 / Dan Frio / 0 Comments
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Recent Posts

  • 10 Credit Score Myths That Cost Home Buyers Money
  • Which Credit Score Site Is the Most Accurate? A Mortgage Lender’s Answer
  • Best Credit Repair Options: DIY, Counseling or a Credit Repair Company
  • How to Fix Your Credit in 4 Steps (Explained)
  • The Real Problem With Credit Reports: Errors (and How to Dispute Them)

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Recent Posts
  • 10 Credit Score Myths That Cost Home Buyers Money
    October 23, 2026
  • Which Credit Score Site Is the Most Accurate? A Mortgage Lender’s Answer
    October 23, 2026
  • Best Credit Repair Options: DIY, Counseling or a Credit Repair Company
    October 19, 2026
about us

With over 30 years in the lending industry, we’ve helped thousands of people understand and improve their credit — and built this site to give you the same tools and guidance. Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this site are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you sign up or make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.

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Ready to buy? From The Rate Update

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  • First-time home buyer guide →
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