Credit scoring is getting a major upgrade. Fannie Mae has started accepting VantageScore 4.0 for mortgages, and FICO Score 10T is rolling out soon.

What’s New?  

  • New models use alternative data like rent, utilities, and telecom payments.

  • They analyze trended data (your behavior over 24 months) instead of just a snapshot.

  • Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payments are now being considered.

  • Paid medical debt gets less negative impact.

These changes aim to help people with thin credit files get better access to loans, especially home mortgages.

Quick Tips to Boost Your Score  

  • Pay all bills on time (including rent & utilities).

  • Keep credit card utilization under 30%.

  • Check your free credit reports weekly at AnnualCreditReport.com.

  • Build consistent positive history.

The national average FICO score is currently around 715. With these updates, your score could change — for better or worse — depending on your habits.