Every buyer wonders, “What is my credit score?” But the correct question is “What are my credit scores?” When you apply for a mortgage to buy a home, your lender will pull three credit scores, not just one.

You have credit scores from three different credit firms: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. And none of these three credit scores are likely to be the same.

Each credit firm bases its score on its own formula that, while similar, are not exactly the same. They may also have different information. It’s therefore important to pull a credit report from each one and fix any errors before you apply for a home. Remember, if there are errors, you will need to fix them with each credit firm separately.