Why Mortgage Lenders Use Different Credit Scores — And What That Means for You
If you've ever checked your credit score using a free app or your credit card dashboard, you might assume that's the same score a lender will use when you apply for a mortgage. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
When it comes to buying a home, mortgage lenders don’t use the same scores you see on Credit Karma or most consumer credit platforms. Instead, they pull what's called a mortgage-specific credit score — and it can be very different from the one you're used to seeing.
So, What Score Do Mortgage Lenders Use?
Mortgage lenders typically use older versions of the FICO Score, specifically:
FICO Score 2 from Experian
FICO Score 4 from TransUnion
FICO Score 5 from Equifax
These versions are more conservative than the newer models, and they weigh certain factors differently — which means your mortgage score could be 20–40 points lower than what you see elsewhere.
Why This Difference Matters
That point gap isn’t just a minor detail. It can directly impact:
Whether you get approved or denied
What interest rate you're offered
The loan programs you qualify for
Imagine thinking you're in the clear with a 680, only to find out your actual mortgage score is a 640. That could be the difference between getting a great rate—or not getting the loan at all.
What's Different About Mortgage Scores?
While all credit scores look at your credit history, payment habits, and balances, the models used in mortgage lending put more weight on certain things:
Missed payments (especially older ones) can hurt more
High credit utilization is more punishing
Authorized user accounts might carry less weight
Recent credit activity isn’t rewarded the same way
That’s why relying on a general-purpose score can give you a false sense of security.
How to See Your True Mortgage Score
If you're planning to buy a home—or even just thinking about it—the smartest move you can make is to check the exact scores that lenders will see.
That’s exactly what we provide at My Mortgage Score. We give you access to your real, mortgage-specific credit scores, so you can prepare with confidence, not guesswork.
✅ Check your mortgage score now and get ahead of the game: www.MyMortgageScore.com
📩 Questions? Reach out to us anytime at mymtgscore@pcbscore.com