Get your credit and finances in order

You may have personal debt from credit cards or from school, car, or other loans. It's important to make your monthly payments on all your debt on time. Lenders are paying close attention to your credit history and credit score, so make sure to minimize your debt and have a record of paying off what you owe. Even if you have a lousy credit history, lenders will be more forgiving if they see you've gotten your act together in the last six to 12 months.