Your mortgage score just got a new referee.

What happened

For decades, a mortgage sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac needed one kind of score: Classic FICO. That just changed.

On September 9, 2026, Fannie and Freddie opened VantageScore 4.0 to every lender they approve. Lenders no longer need special written permission. Before this, the rollout was limited to about 50 lenders.

FHA loans are next. On September 10, FHA set January 1, 2027 as the start date for two newer models, VantageScore 4.0 and FICO Score 10T. Lenders can use them alongside the old Classic FICO.

There's more coming. The head of FHFA, the agency that oversees Fannie and Freddie, says it is "seriously considering" pulling credit reports from two bureaus instead of all three. It's also studying whether a single report could be enough.

What it means for you

VantageScore 4.0 is built partly on rent, phone and utility payment data. If your credit file is thin, that could help you. But nobody can promise your number goes up. Different models can give you different scores from the exact same report.

Also, the lender picks the model, not you. Some lenders will jump in fast and some won't. So two lenders could look at you in two different ways.

One thing hasn't changed at all. Every model reads the same data from your credit reports. If there's a mistake on your report, it drags you down no matter which score is used.

What to do

• Before you apply, ask the lender which score model they use.
• Get your free reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com and check every account.
• If something is wrong, dispute it in writing with the bureau and with the company that reported it.
• Shop around. A lender using a different model could see you in a different light.

Buying a home in the next year? Get a free credit review at credora.co before you sit down with a lender.

This post is general information, not legal advice. CredOra is not a law firm. Results vary and are not guaranteed.