Improve your credit score
before your mortgage —
we show you exactly how.
The three fastest moves: pay down revolving balances below 30% of your limit, remove any errors on your Equifax/TransUnion reports, and stop applying for new credit 6+ months before your mortgage application.
Why does my score
matter so much?
On a $500,000 mortgage, one credit tier can mean thousands per year. We find it, plan it, and time it.
Your score determines your rate
Moving up one credit tier can cut your rate by 0.50–1.50%. On $500,000, that is thousands a year.
No bureau hit to get started
We can estimate your options from a soft check, before any hard pull touches your file.
We rank moves by impact for your file
Card balances and errors move fastest. Late payments and inquiries fade over months. We rank the moves for you.
Apply at exactly the right moment
We time your application to land in the best credit tier you can reach.
How do I go from my score
to a mortgage?
File first, plan second,
application last. That order matters.
We review your credit file
We check Equifax and TransUnion and find what is holding your score back.
You get a ranked action plan
Pay down cards, dispute errors, avoid new credit: in the order that helps fastest.
We shop your improved file
When your score moves, we re-shop 100+ lenders and lock the better rate.
We can help across
every credit situation.
Tap any situation below to see how we approach it.
If you’re…Your score is below 620 and you need to buy soon
Your score is below 620 and you need to buy soon
B-lenders and some private lenders work with scores under 620, often with more down. Refinance to A-rates after 12–18 clean months.
See bad-credit optionsIf you’re…You have a collection account on your bureau
You have a collection account on your bureau
Many A-lenders want collections paid before funding; some accept older ones. We tell you what your lender needs.
Get a credit planIf you’re…Your credit cards are near or at their limits
Your credit cards are near or at their limits
Using more than 30% of a card's limit drags your score. Paying below 30% before the statement date can help within one billing cycle.
Model my utilizationIf you’re…You have missed payments in the past 12 months
You have missed payments in the past 12 months
Recent missed payments hurt most. Many lenders want 12 clean months. We match you to lenders that fit your history.
Plan my recoveryIf you’re…You are new to Canada with thin or no Canadian credit
You are new to Canada with thin or no Canadian credit
Some lenders accept international credit or proof of paid bills. A secured card helps you build Canadian credit faster.
See newcomer optionsIf you’re…You want to improve before your mortgage renewal
You want to improve before your mortgage renewal
At renewal you can switch lenders with no penalty. A small score gain before then can mean a lower rate.
Plan my renewalHow much can one credit
tier save me?
The rate difference between a B-lender file and an A-lender file is real money — on every payment, for every year of your term.
- Credit score619
- Example rate~5.89% fixed
- Mortgage balance$500,000
- Monthly payment~$3,170
- 5-year total interest~$138,000
- Lenders available~15
- Credit score700+
- Example rate~4.39% fixed
- Mortgage balance$500,000
- Monthly payment~$2,740
- 5-year total interest~$102,000
- Lenders available100+
Illustrative only — your score, rate, and savings will differ. We review your actual file before recommending any moves. See the score ranges lenders use.
Common questions,
clear answers.
Score timelines, collections, inquiries, and what lenders actually look at — answered plainly.
How long does it take to improve a credit score?
Meaningful gains take 3–6 months of clean behaviour; rebuilding from a major hit (collections, missed payments) can take 12–24 months. Utilization improvements — paying card balances below 30% before the statement cuts — can show in as little as one billing cycle.
What's the fastest way to raise my score before a mortgage?
Pay down revolving balances below 30% of each card's limit — ideally before your statement date, not just the due date. Clear any small collections. Stop applying for new credit in the 3–6 months before your application. These three moves, done in order, move the needle faster than anything else on your file.
Should I pay off collections before applying?
Usually yes — many lenders require collections paid before funding. But the right strategy depends on the lender, the age of the collection, and the amount. In some cases, paying can reset the clock and briefly affect your score. We review your file and tell you exactly what your target lender needs.
Will checking my own credit hurt my score?
No. Checking your own credit is a soft pull and never affects your score. You can get your report free from both Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada — check both regularly, as errors are common and each bureau may hold different information.
How long do late payments and inquiries stay on my credit report?
Late or unpaid accounts can stay on your report for up to 6 years. Lender inquiries stay for 3 years at Equifax or up to 6 years at TransUnion. Their effect on your score shrinks as they age, so recent, clean behaviour matters most — a two-year-old missed payment hurts far less than a two-month-old one.
Can I still get a mortgage while I rebuild my credit?
Often yes. A B-lender or private mortgage can fund your purchase now while you repair your score, then you refinance to A-lender pricing once your score recovers — typically after 12–18 months of clean history. We model the full cost of waiting vs. going now so you can choose with real numbers.
We’ll try to beat your rate.
If we can’t, we pay you $500.¹
¹ Rate Beat: eligible Big-6 bank written offers only · same product, term & amount · $500 paid to you or your nominated charity at closing · conditions apply
Mortgage help by city
Credit improvements help everywhere, but the rate tier you can reach, how long to wait, and which lender to target depends on your local market. We match you to the right lender for your score and your city.