If you've checked your credit score on an app and then been surprised by the number a mortgage lender pulled, you're not alone. Mortgage lending has historically used older versions of the FICO score that differ from what most apps show. In 2026, that started to change in a meaningful way.

What changed

In April 2026, federal housing officials announced that lenders could use VantageScore 4.0 as an alternative to "classic" FICO when underwriting loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which covers most conventional mortgages. Access expanded to all approved Fannie and Freddie lenders over the following months. The Federal Housing Administration also announced it would allow newer scoring models for FHA loans.

The key detail: the lender chooses which score to use. That means two lenders looking at the same credit history could see different numbers. It's one more reason to ask questions when you compare lenders.

How VantageScore 4.0 is different

  • Trended data. It looks at how your balances have changed over time, not just a single snapshot. Someone steadily paying down debt can look better than someone whose balances are creeping up.
  • Alternative data. It can factor in rent, utility and phone payments when those show up on your credit report.
  • Thin files. It may be able to score people with limited traditional credit, like younger buyers or people who mostly use cash.

One important caveat: rent only helps if it's actually reported to the credit bureaus. Many landlords don't report. Some rent-reporting services can add it for you, so ask your landlord or property manager what's available.

What doesn't change

Every scoring model rewards the same core habits:

  • Pay every bill on time. Payment history is the biggest factor.
  • Keep credit card balances low compared to your limits.
  • Don't open a bunch of new accounts right before applying.
  • Check your credit reports for errors and dispute anything wrong. You can get free reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.

My advice

If you're thinking about buying in the next six to twelve months, talk to a lender now, not the week you find a house. I can pull your credit, show you where you stand, and often point out a few simple moves, like paying a card down below a certain balance, that can help your score before you apply. Ask me which scoring model I'll use for your loan. I'll tell you.