Maybe you'd like to buy a home someday. But there's one thing keeping you from taking the first step. Your credit.

Maybe you already know your credit score isn't great. Maybe you had a difficult period financially. Maybe you've missed some payments, have balances you're trying to pay down, or made some decisions with credit that you wish you could redo.

Or maybe you don't actually know what your credit looks like, and you're a little afraid to find out. If that's you, you're certainly not the only one. We talk with prospective homebuyers all the time who are hesitant to contact a lender because they're worried about their credit. And sometimes, if we're being completely truthful, they're embarrassed by it. Please don't let embarrassment keep you from getting information.

You Don't Need Perfect Credit to Start the Conversation

One of the biggest misconceptions about buying a home is that you should get everything "fixed" before talking with a lender.

That's usually backwards.

You don't need to walk into the conversation with perfect credit and a flawless financial history. The purpose of talking with a knowledgeable lender is to find out where you actually stand. Maybe you're ready to buy now. Maybe there are a few things you could improve first. Maybe you need six months or a year - or more - to work toward your goal.

All three are perfectly reasonable outcomes. What matters is replacing uncertainty with information.

Your Credit Score Is Important, But It Isn't the Whole Story

Credit is certainly part of qualifying for a mortgage, but lenders look at more than a single number. Depending on the loan program and your individual circumstances, they may consider your income, employment, existing debts, available funds, payment history and other financial information.

Different mortgage programs can also have different requirements. That's why a score you found through an app shouldn't automatically become your answer to: "Can I buy a house?" Let a mortgage professional help you answer that question.

Don't Try to "Fix" Everything Before Talking to a Lender

This is especially important. When buyers are worried about credit, their first instinct is often to start changing things:

• Pay off an old collection.
• Close a credit card.
• Move balances around.
• Open a new account.
• Hire a credit repair company.

Those actions can have consequences you may not anticipate, particularly when you're preparing for a mortgage.

Before making major changes specifically because you hope to qualify for a home loan, talk with a reputable lender first. They can review your particular situation and help you understand which actions may be useful and which ones may not. A plan designed around your actual credit profile is much more useful than generic advice you found online.

And Please Don't Be Embarrassed

This may be the part buyers most need to hear. Mortgage professionals look at people's finances every day. They have seen missed payments. They've seen collections. They've seen high credit card balances. They've seen people rebuilding after divorce, job loss, unexpected expenses and financial mistakes.

They're not expecting you to arrive with a financial report card covered in gold stars. Their job is to determine what financing options may be available to you and, when appropriate, help you understand what might need to change before you're ready.

And your REALTOR® doesn't need you to have a perfect financial history either.

We just need to know where we're starting.

Be Careful With Credit Repair Promises

When you're anxious about your credit, a company promising to raise your score quickly can sound very appealing.

Be cautious.

There may be legitimate steps you can take to improve your credit over time, but there isn't a magic button that makes accurate negative information disappear. Before paying someone to "repair" your credit, consider starting with a lender you trust. If you're not mortgage-ready yet, the lender may be able to identify the specific areas affecting your ability to qualify and give you a clearer idea of what to work on. That's a much more useful goal than simply trying to make a number go up.

What If the Lender Says I'm Not Ready Yet?

Then you've learned something valuable. "Not yet" isn't the same thing as "never."

Ask what would need to change.

• Is there a particular balance to reduce?
• Does your payment history need more time?
• Would additional savings help?
• Is there something on your credit report that needs to be addressed?

Now you have specific things to work toward instead of worrying about an unknown problem.

Give Yourself Time

If you're thinking about buying a home next year, talking with a lender now isn't too early. In fact, it can be extremely helpful. If something needs attention, time gives you options.

When you're ready to start looking at homes, you'll be doing it with a much better understanding of your financial position.

Start With Information, Not Assumptions

We've said this before because it applies to so many parts of buying a home: Start with information, not assumptions.

Don't decide that you can't buy a home because of a credit score you saw online. Don't wait two years because someone told you that you need perfect credit. And don't avoid talking with a lender because you're embarrassed about something in your financial history.

The first step toward buying a home doesn't have to be looking at houses. Sometimes the first step is simply finding out what needs to happen before you can.