1. Strengthen your credit score. Improve your chances by pulling your credit reports and ensuring you're not being unfairly penalized for old, paid or settled debts. Get your credit report and score, free and with no obligation,at annualcreditreport.com . Stop applying for new credit a year before you apply for financing. And keep the moratorium in place until after you close on your home. 2. Before you home shop, calculate the mortgage payment for the home in your intended p