It's probably the most critical period for your credit: that golden window right before you sign for a mortgage.
But it's also one of the times when your credit is the most vulnerable. You're submitting applications for loans, filling out forms for real estate agents and mortgage brokers with all kinds of personal data, and (if you're also selling a home), inviting strangers into your house.
If you've kept a good score all these years, the last thing you want to do is sink it now when you really need it. Here are four ways to protect your credit right before you buy.