Why three in four prospective buyers are sitting out the market
The data points to inaction at a critical juncture: 17% of prospective homebuyers hadn’t taken any steps to improve their credit score ahead of a planned purchase, and more than a quarter (26%) hadn’t encouraged a co-applicant to do the same.
This gap stands in contrast to the broader attitude shift the survey documents, 85% of Americans now view credit score management as a wealth-building strategy, not merely a borrowing tool.
“Consumers don’t need to wait to take action,” Dito said. “By better understanding their FICO Score and the role it plays in mortgage access and affordability, they can start building a stronger foundation for homeownership.”
Those gains may be coming incrementally. Odeta Kushi, deputy chief economist at First American Financial Corporation, previously noted that US housing affordability is poised to improve in 2026 as incomes rise faster than home prices in many markets.
For brokers working with first-time clients right now, however, the FICO data suggests that the educational conversation — about credit, process, and realistic expectations — may be as consequential as the rate conversation.
