A major shift in mortgage lending just opened the door wider for millions of aspiring homeowners. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac now allow lenders to count rent and utility payment history toward a borrower's credit assessment — a change that could help creditworthy renters, gig workers, freelancers, and first-time buyers who have been shut out by outdated credit models.
What Changed — and Why It Matters
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte announced the update, adding new credit scoring rules to Fannie Mae's official lending guidelines. Going forward, lenders can use VantageScore — a credit scoring model developed by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — alongside or instead of traditional FICO scores. Unlike older models, VantageScore incorporates rent and utility payments reported to the major credit bureaus.
The FHA is also adopting both VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T for FHA-insured mortgage underwriting, expanding the reach of the change even further.
"If you pay your rent on time, you are more likely to pay your mortgage on time. For decades, our housing system ignored that simple fact." — FHFA Director William Pulte
Who Benefits Most
• Renters with a strong payment history but a thin or limited credit file
• Freelancers, gig workers, and self-employed buyers with reliable income but non-traditional financial profiles
• Younger first-time buyers — the average age of a first-time buyer is now 40, reflecting how long many have been locked out of homeownership
A More Complete Picture of Creditworthiness
The goal isn't to lower lending standards — it's to modernize them. A renter who has reliably paid $1,800 a month for five years is demonstrating exactly the financial discipline a mortgage lender wants to see. The old system simply didn't capture it.
Ready to Find Out If You Qualify?
I work with a strong network of San Antonio mortgage lenders who offer lending solutions for all types of buyers — including those who are just now becoming eligible under these new guidelines. Reach out today and let's explore what's possible: [email protected]
Source: Realtor.com, April 2026. Story by Tristan Navera.
