New Credit Score Change Could Help Bay Area Renters Buy Sooner

If you’ve been renting in Contra Costa County or the Bay Area and feeling stuck in the "rent trap," there’s a new shift that could actually work in your favor.

Rent payments can now boost your credit — here’s how

VantageScore, one of the major credit scoring models used by lenders, just announced it will start factoring in on-time rent payments into your credit score. That’s huge, especially in high-rent areas like Walnut Creek, Concord, and Richmond where many renters have strong payment histories but still struggle to qualify for a mortgage.

Why this matters for buyers

Lenders often use your credit score to determine if you qualify for a loan and what interest rate you’ll get. A higher score = better terms. With this new policy:

• Consistently paid rent can now help raise your credit score

• Even if you have limited credit history, rent can fill that gap

• You might qualify for a home loan sooner than expected

And in this competitive market, every little edge matters.

What you need to know to take advantage

• Not all lenders use VantageScore yet — but this change pushes the industry forward

• Make sure your rent payments are being reported (services like RentTrack or your property manager might already be doing this)

• Check your credit report to confirm your rent is showing up

Don’t wait — prepare now

If you’re thinking about buying in the next 6 to 12 months, this is the time to clean up your credit profile and get strategic.

Let’s talk about how your rent history can help you qualify.

Schedule a call to map out your game plan.