How can you improve your credit score?

It is very difficult to change your score in the time between when most people decide to buy a home or refinance their mortgage and when they apply. So the short answer is, you really can't "on the spot."  However, if there are errors on your report and you can get a letter from the creditor regarding their error, I do have a service that repair your credit in a matter of days.  However the best plan is to follow some simple rules to better manage your credit well before you decide to apply for a mortgage loan.

Make sure that the information each of the three credit reporting bureaus has on you is consistent and up to date. Order a copy of your credit report about once a year, and dispute any inaccuracies.

Note: Theoretically, if a series of credit reports is requested on your behalf during a limited amount of time, your score goes down until time passes without any inquiries. Changes in the law though have made "consumer-originating" credit report requests not count so much. Also, a series of requests in relation to getting a mortgage or car loan is not treated the same as a number of credit card requests in a limited time. This is because the credit bureaus, and lenders, realize that people request their own credit reports to keep up with what's on them, and smart consumers shop around for the best mortgage and car loans.

The two main components of your credit score are your payment history and the amounts you owe. Bankruptcy filings and foreclosures, which can stay on your credit report for as many as 7 years, can significantly lower your score.  These and other negative items do have less of an impact the older they get.

Late payments work against you. It's extremely important to pay bills on time, even if it's only the monthly payment.  Dont "max out" your credit lines. Since the size of the balance on your open accounts is a factor, lower balances are better, with good target of 50% of your limit or lower.