If you're planning on buying a home, it's important to have good credit. Credit is a way that banks and other lenders decide if they want to lend you money. The better your credit, the more likely you are to get a loan and the better terms you'll get. But if your credit isn't where you want it to be, don't worry – there are steps you can take to fix it.

Here are a few tips to help you improve your credit:

1. Pay your bills on time. Late payments can have a big negative impact on your credit score. Make sure you pay all of your bills, including credit card payments and rent, on time every month. This accounts for 35% of your credit score.

2. Don't max out your credit cards. If you use too much of your credit card's limit, it can hurt your credit score. Try to keep your balances low, ideally below 30% of your limit. This accounts for 30% of your credit score.

3. Keep credit card accounts open. A portion of your credit score is based on the average age of your accounts. The older your accounts the better for your score. The only time you should consider closing a credit card is if it has an annual fee that outweighs the benefits it provides. But remember, closing it can potentially lower your score. This accounts for 15% of your credit score.

4. Check your credit report. You can get a free copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). Make sure there are no mistakes on your report and dispute any errors you find. (You can get a free copy of your credit report once a year from

   annualcreditreport.com)

5. Don't open too many new credit accounts at once. Every time you apply for a new credit card or loan, it can hurt your credit score a little bit. Try to only open new accounts when you really need them.

6. Review your credit report for any errors or inaccuracies. Dispute any mistakes you find with the credit bureau and the creditor that reported the information. Delete any old/incorrect information. You can do this yourself for free but if you don't feel confident you can do this on your own, you can hire a credit repair specialist. Contact me if you'd like me to refer you to my preferred credit repair specialist.

7. Consider asking a trusted family member to add you as an authorized user on one of their credit cards. Let them know that you are not looking to spend on it, but simply want to get their positive history on your credit report to get a temporary boost in your credit score. They can send the card to themselves to avoid any worry about spending on the card. The card must have perfect payment history, an average balance of 0-6%, be 3 years old or older, and the card must report authorized user history to the credit bureaus in order to get the benefit

By following these tips and being consistent with your payments, you can improve your credit and be on your way to buying a home. It may take some time and effort, but it's worth it to have the best credit possible.