At least while you're shopping for a home -- and a mortgage to pay for it.

Credit card applications prompt the issuers to check your credit report. When they do, those inquiries are noted on your history and lower your credit score by up to 12 points.

The lower your credit score, the more your home loan will cost.

(Don't worry. You can apply at any number of mortgage lenders within a 45-day period and it will only count as one application against your credit score.)

Click here for more things you can do right now that will help you qualify for the cheapest possible mortgage.