Mortgage lenders use older versions of FICO scores that are different from the scores you see on free monitoring sites like Credit Karma.
Most lenders use: FICO Score 2 (Experian), FICO Score 5 (TransUnion), and FICO Score 4 (Equifax). These are the FICO Classic 04 model versions.
Your mortgage FICO scores may differ from your free monitoring score by 20-50 points. This is normal and expected.
Which Versions
Lenders pull the FICO Classic 04 versions: Experian FICO 2, TransUnion FICO 4, Equifax FICO 5. These are the versions used for mortgage underwriting decisions.
Why They Differ
Free scores (Credit Karma, Credit.com) use different scoring models like VantageScore or newer FICO versions. These scores can vary significantly from mortgage FICO scores.
Where to Check
You can purchase your mortgage FICO scores from myFICO.com for about 0. This shows you the exact scores lenders will see. Some lenders also provide your scores during pre-approval.
How to Improve All Versions
The same credit habits improve all score versions: pay on time, keep utilization low, maintain a healthy mix, avoid new accounts before applying, and fix errors on all three reports.
Score Range Impact
The score range impact matters: 740+ is best, 720-739 is good, 700-719 is moderate, 680-699 is fair, 660-679 is challenging, 640-659 is limited options.
Tips
Don't obsess over the exact number. Focus on the credit range you're in and what improvements are possible. Small score differences rarely change loan options dramatically.