165: New Ways Buyers Can Improve Their Credit Score in 2026

Your credit score plays a major role in your home buying journey, but many buyers don't realize there are simple ways to strengthen it before applying for a mortgage. In this episode, Christian Nossum is joined by mortgage expert Dan Keller and agent Joanna Beecher to break down how credit scores work, what factors have the biggest impact, and practical strategies to improve your score. They discuss payment history, credit utilization, rental and utility payment reporting, common credit myths, and the mistakes to avoid when preparing to buy a home. Whether you're planning to purchase in the next few months or just starting to think about homeownership, this episode offers actionable advice to help you build stronger credit and secure better loan terms. If you enjoy listening to the Awesome in Seattle Podcast, please leave us a review. We'd love to hear from you!