Lenders price mortgages in steps, kind of like a ladder. When your credit score passes certain marks, like 700, 720 or 740, your rate can go down a little at each step. National research from Realtor.com found that going from 680 to 720 lowers a rate by about 0.11%. Going from below 640 to above 780 lowers it by about 0.32%.
Those sound like tiny numbers, but they add up fast. In September, the typical single-family home in Clarke, Oconee, Barrow and Walton counties sold for $417,500, based on Classic MLS data. With 10% down, here’s what a better score could save you:
- 680 to 720: about $1,700 if you stay 5 years, and about $10,000 over the full 30 years.
- Below 640 to above 780: about $4,900 if you stay 5 years, and about $29,000 over the full 30 years.
The catch is time. You can’t fix your credit the week before you make an offer. Paying down credit card balances and paying every bill on time are two good places to start, and the sooner you start, the better.
Not sure where your score puts you? Follow Athens Real Estate Pro on Facebook for more tips. If you have questions about your own credit and plans to buy, reach out. We can talk it through.
Sources: Classic MLS (Hive), single-family sales, Sept. 2026; Realtor.com, Oct. 1, 2026.