Fear and finger-pointing are gumming up the system according to this  Washington Post story: Credit scores remain a high hurdle for many mortgage applicants as banks stay gun-shy. Homeownership is now at 64.8 percent, its lowest level since 1995, in part because so many consumers can’t get past lenders’ severe underwriting tests.  Lenders are looking for scores no lower that 740 in many instances.

One way to be sure your credit score is high, especially if you are younger, is to be sure your monthly rental payments are included in your score. For many this can make the difference and raise your score to desirable, lendable levels.  Talk with me about this. I’d be happy to share insights on how to be sure you have a strong score.