Image: Bigstock

If you are in the market to buy a home or may be thinking of doing so in the future, there are steps you can take now to improve your credit score — and your interest rate — before you seek a mortgage loan.

Freddie Mac highlights “5 Tips to a Better Credit Score,” on its blog. Two tips to consider: check your credit score will all three of the U.S. credit bureaus and think twice about transferring your credit-card balances to a lower interest card.

In other headlines:

Mortgage applications jump 11.3% in last week of August – HousingWire

Over 10-Year View, Home Sales Are Strong – National Association of REALTORS®

HUD proposes new rules for FHA loans – HousingWire