When you come across a home that’s been on the market for a while, it’s natural to think:

• What’s wrong with it?

• Why hasn’t anyone bought it yet?

• Am I missing something?

That line of thinking made sense …

Would-be homebuyers aren’t sitting on the sidelines because they don’t want to buy—they’re sitting out because they think they can’t. Often, it’s their credit score that’s holding them back.

According to a Bankrate survey, 42% of Americans believe you need excellent credit to qualify for a mortgage. …