Credit Score
Also known as FICO Score
A three-digit number summarizing your creditworthiness, based on your borrowing and repayment history.
In plain English
Your credit score (commonly a FICO Score, ranging roughly 300–850) reflects your payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, and more. Lenders use it to set your interest rate and decide whether to approve your loan.
Raising your score even modestly before applying can lower your interest rate — and over a 30-year loan, that adds up to significant savings.
Where you'll run into it
Guides and tools on TheBuyingPath that cover credit score in context.
Related terms
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