Does a Perfect 900 Credit Score Get You a Better Mortgage Rate?
If you’ve managed to achieve a perfect credit score of 900.. congratulations! That’s a rare accomplishment. In all my years as a mortgage professional, I’ve only seen one client hit that “unicorn” score.
But here’s the big question: does a perfect 900 credit score actually get you a better mortgage rate than someone with a 700?
The short answer no, not in most cases.
The “Unicorn” Credit Score Story
When I met my client with the perfect 900, I was curious to see what special strategy they had used to get there. Spoiler alert: there wasn’t one.
Here’s what their financial picture looked like:
A mortgage and a home equity line of credit (HELOC)
A few credit cards
Low credit utilization — they never carried high balances
Bills always paid on time
Credit used responsibly and paid off in full every month
That’s it! No complicated tricks or credit hacks. Just consistent, responsible habits and living within their means.
The Truth About Credit Scores and Mortgage Rates
In Canada, lenders generally divide borrowers into two broad categories:
“A” lenders — banks, credit unions, and mortgage finance companies
“B” or alternative lenders — who work with clients whose situations fall outside traditional lending guidelines
In the A lending space, there’s no special prize for having a 900 versus a 700 credit score. As long as your score is solid (typically 680 or higher) and the rest of your application is strong, you’ll qualify for the same competitive rates.
That might be surprising, but it’s true once you’re in that top tier, lenders see you as low risk whether your score is 700, 800, or 900.
Where your score can make more of a difference is in the alternative or “B” lending market. There, a lower score might affect your rate or approval options, since these lenders take on higher-risk files and price accordingly.
How to Maintain a Strong Credit Score
You don’t need a perfect 900 to get the best mortgage rate, but keeping your score healthy is still important. Here’s how to do it:
✔️ Pay all your bills on time — even one late payment can hurt your score.
✔️ Keep balances low — ideally under 30% of your available credit.
✔️ Use credit regularly but responsibly.
✔️ Avoid applying for too much new credit in a short period.
✔️ Check your credit report occasionally to ensure there are no errors.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to chase perfection to get a great mortgage rate. A strong, consistent credit history and responsible financial habits go a long way.
So if your score is 700 or above, take a deep breath you’re already in the top tier when it comes to mortgage lending.
If you’re not there yet, don’t worry. With the right strategy and a little time, you can get mortgage-ready. And if you ever have questions about where you stand or what lenders are looking for, I’m always happy to chat and help you plan your next move.