In the process of buying a home, you always want to check your credit four to six months in advance. And when getting your credit report, get one from all three credit bureaus – Experian, Transunion and Equifax. You need the copies in advance because you need time to correct errors or to clean up problems. But if you don’t have time, some lenders offer “rapid rescoring” programs that claim to eliminate debts that hurt your credit reports. You settle your debt with creditors and then the credit bureau changes your score overnight so you are set with the loan you want. The cost is minimal and some lenders just absorb the fees. It can mean a huge difference in what you pay per month for the life of the loan. So, if you haven’t given it the full four to six months, ask your lender if it offers a rapid rescoring program.