You can get a better mortgage interest rate. You simply have to improve your credit score.

The majority of consumers have never seen their credit report. Most don't even know what it contains. They have a vague idea of the status of their credit -- good versus bad -- but are totally unaware of what their lenders are looking at.

It is increasingly important that you review your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) at least once a year. This is free. All you have to do is go to www.annualcreditreport.com for more information on obtaining your free credit report.

Most people will have inaccurate information reported on their reports at least once in their lifetime. A few will have it happen several times. Many people are only aware that they are a victim of identity theft after reviewing their credit reports and finding fraudulent information. Identity theft is constantly rising, so you should check your report to protect your finances.

The lower your credit score, which is based on the information in your credit report, the higher your interest rate will be. The good news is that raising your credit score is quite easy. All it takes is time and a little dedication.

The main way to improve your credit is to pay your bills on time. If you miss one payment, your credit score will suffer greatly. The good thing is that time heals. The further the missed payment is in your past, the better your report and score. I advise that you have at least 12 months of on-time payments on your report before you apply for a mortgage. This establishes a pattern of better financial management.

You should also work to pay down your amount of debt. Not only will this improve your score, but will improve your application with your lender. The more debt you have, the smaller the mortgage you will get. Focus on paying down all credit card debt to start with. You want to have as little as possible. I recommend that you have, at the most, 25% of your available credit in credit card debt.

You should also avoid applying for credit in the months before you start looking for a mortgage. Mortgage lenders want to see that you aren't searching for loans and making large purchases right now. Your credit score is impacted by every credit inquiry made by a lender. Too many inquiries will lower your score quickly.

The best way to get the lowest interest rate on a mortgage is to take your time and make sure you have your finances in order before you apply. Do your research and shop around. Take your time. Make sure that you have looked over your credit report and know where you stand. If you go in not knowing what type of credit you have, how do you know what type of rate you deserve?

In addition to a lower mortgage rate, improving your credit score can improve all of your interest rates when you apply for credit. It can also lower your insurance premiums and look good when you apply for a job. Your credit report is a vital part of your finances, so make sure that you take the time to manage it as well.