When applying for a mortgage loan here's a tip that can save you large amounts of money over a long period of time.

Before you apply for that mortgage loan take some time to see what your own credit rating is. The large credit rating agencies are required to send you free of charge a copy of your credit report once per year if you request it. This is a free service so don't pay anyone to get your credit report. You can apply for your free credit report here.

Now, having said all that here's something you probably didn't know. While the large credit rating agencies must give you an annual free credit report, they don't have to tell you your credit card score. That you have to pay for. Usually the cost is $5-$6 (2008) to get your actual credit card score. Its worth it to pay the extra and get the score.

Now once you have your report and your score start to clean up your credit. The mortgage interest rate offered you by the lending institutions will be influenced by your credit rating. So it can literally save you a lot of money by clearing up any credit problems you may have.