A smart move for Buyers is to consider getting their FICO score early in the homebuying process. FICO (based on the Fair Issac's credit reporting system) pools information from the major credit reporting agencies; many mortgage companies use a FICO score to base their approval. But how do you obtain your FICO score?
Many potential homebuyers shopping for a mortgage are not aware of the drop in credit score they might experience every time a mortgage broker or banker pulls their credit report. This is not something you'll want when when you are about to purchase a home. 
There are two basic fundamental systems at work here:
MyFICO has a great web site set up to learn what your FICO score is, what mortgage rate you will receive (based on current average mortgage rates), and for a reasonable fee, advice on improving your FICO score (Suze Orman offers credit coaching, etc.), plus and a whole host of very valuable information. In addition, and this is key, you will not be penalized for obtaining your FICO score on this site: www.MyFico.com