[header] How to get preapproved for a mortgage [title] Check your credit reports for free. [step] You are entitled to review your credit report from each of the three main credit companies once a year for no cost. If you want a copy of your report more frequently, you will have to pay a fee. 
But even that fee is worth spending if necessary to buy a house. To get your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com.