Want the lowest mortgage rate you can get? Credit-scoring changes mean home buyers need a new strategy.

fannie mae and freddie mac are rolling out a new credit-scoring model, fico 10t, starting in 2025. it changes how lenders calculate risk — and that means the old strategies for getting the best mortgage rate may not work anymore. the new model weighs things like rent payments and bank account balances differently, which could help some borrowers and hurt others. the key shift: fico 10t looks at your credit trend over time, not just a snapshot. someone with a 700 score who's been paying down debt for two years could look better than someone with a 720 who just maxed out a card. lenders will also start factoring in rental payment history if you give them permission, which could boost scores for people with thin credit files. to get the lowest rate under the new system, you'll want to keep balances low for several months before applying, not just a few weeks. and if you're a renter, start documenting on-time payments now — that data could shave a quarter point off your rate in 2025.