The credit score question is often the first one prospective buyers ask, and for good reason. Your score affects whether you qualify for a mortgage, which loan program you can use, and the interest rate you’ll pay. The short answer: you can buy a house with a credit score as low as 500, but most buyers land somewhere between 620 and 740, where the loan program options open up and rates start to improve meaningfully. This guide breaks down the minimum credit score by loan type, what counts as a strong score for the best terms, and how to improve yours if needed.
Minimum Credit Score by Loan Type
Each loan program sets its own credit score requirements. Lenders can also add their own overlays on top of the program minimums, which is why two lenders can give different answers on the same loan type.
| Loan Type | Minimum Score | Minimum Down Payment | Best Fit For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 620 | 3% (first-time buyers); 5%+ otherwise | Buyers with steady income and fair-to-good credit |
| FHA (3.5% down) | 580 | 3.5% | Buyers with moderate credit or limited down payment |
| FHA (10% down) | 500 | 10% | Buyers rebuilding credit who can put more down |
| VA | No official minimum; most lenders 580-620 | 0% | Eligible veterans and active-duty service members |
| USDA | 640 (typical lender minimum) | 0% | Buyers in eligible rural and some suburban areas |
| Jumbo | 700-720 (often 740+) | 10-20%+ | Homes above 2026 conforming limit of $832,750 |
The program minimums above are the floor, not the ceiling. Most lenders impose their own overlays of 20 to 40 points above the federal minimums. The score your lender actually requires may be higher than what a Fannie Mae or HUD chart shows.
What Counts as a ‘Good’ Credit Score for a Mortgage?
The minimum score gets you in the door. Higher scores get you better terms. Here’s how mortgage lenders generally view credit score ranges:
| Score Range | Lender Perspective | Typical Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 760+ | Excellent | Best available rates and terms |
| 740-759 | Very good | Near-best rates; minor pricing adjustments |
| 700-739 | Good | Solid rate; widely qualifies for most programs |
| 660-699 | Fair | Qualifies; rate higher than top tier |
| 620-659 | Below average | Conventional possible; rate noticeably higher |
| 580-619 | Subprime | FHA most likely path; higher rate and PMI |
| 500-579 | Very poor | FHA with 10% down only; non-QM options |
Rate tiers tend to break at 660, 700, 740, and 760. Improving your score by 20 to 40 points can shift you into a better tier, which can lower your monthly payment over the life of the loan.
How Your Credit Score Affects Your Mortgage Rate
Lenders price mortgages based on risk. Higher credit scores signal lower risk, which translates to lower interest rates. The difference between a 620 score and a 760 score can be significant: often a quarter to three quarters of a percentage point on the same loan.
On a $400,000 loan, a half-percent rate difference adds roughly $115 to the monthly payment and about $41,000 over the 30-year life of the loan. The actual number varies with rate environments, loan amount, and other pricing factors, but the principle holds: credit score is one of the most controllable inputs to your final rate.
It’s also worth remembering that a slightly higher rate isn’t automatically a bad outcome if it lets you buy now rather than wait. Home appreciation and rent costs over a 6-to-12-month waiting period can offset the savings from a small rate improvement, especially if you’re paying rent in the meantime. Run the full math, not just the rate comparison.
What Credit Score Do Mortgage Lenders Actually Use?
The score you see on a free credit monitoring app is often different from the score your lender pulls. Here’s how it works:
- Mortgage lenders pull credit from all three bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
- Each bureau reports a FICO score based on the data it has
- Lenders use the middle of the three scores as your qualifying FICO
- If there are co-borrowers, lenders typically use the lower of the two middle scores
This is why your mortgage score can be 20 to 50 points different from the score on a free app. Consumer-facing apps often use VantageScore or a different FICO model than the one mortgage lenders use.
The FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0 Transition
The mortgage industry is in the middle of a long-discussed credit-scoring update. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are transitioning from older FICO models to FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0, with broader rollout expected through 2026. The new models look at trended data: they track whether your balances are going up or down over time rather than just looking at a snapshot.
Two practical implications for buyers:
- Rent payments, utility bills, and phone service payments may start counting toward your score if reported. This helps buyers with thin traditional credit files.
- Paying balances down (rather than maintaining them) becomes more visible to scoring models, which can help borrowers who actively manage debt.
During the transition, lenders may continue using legacy FICO scores. Ask your loan officer which scoring model applies to your loan application.
How to Improve Your Credit Score Before Applying
If your score isn’t where it needs to be, there are several actions that move the needle relatively quickly. The biggest gains usually come from:
Pay Down Credit Card Balances
Credit utilization (the percentage of your available credit you’re using) accounts for roughly 30 percent of your FICO score. Getting utilization below 30 percent across all cards, and especially below 10 percent on individual cards, can lift a score by 30 to 50 points in 30 to 60 days. This is the single fastest legitimate way to raise a score.
Dispute Credit Report Errors
An estimated 20 percent of credit reports contain at least one material error. Pulling reports from all three bureaus and disputing inaccuracies can raise a score by 20 to 100+ points in some cases, often within 30 days. You can pull free reports at this website.
Make Every Payment On Time
Payment history is 35 percent of your FICO score. Setting up autopay on minimum payments for every account prevents accidental late marks. A single 30-day late payment can drop a score 60 to 100 points.
Don’t Close Old Accounts
Length of credit history matters. Closing an old credit card reduces your average account age and can lower utilization headroom. If a card has no annual fee, leave it open.
Limit New Credit Applications
Each hard inquiry can lower your score by a few points. Multiple inquiries within a short period (especially right before applying for a mortgage) raise red flags for lenders. Avoid opening new accounts in the 6 months before applying.
Credit Score Isn’t the Only Factor
Lenders evaluate the full picture, not just your score. Other factors that affect approval and pricing include:
- Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: your total monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income
- Down payment size: more down generally means better terms
- Employment and income stability: typically two years of verifiable history
- Cash reserves: savings beyond the down payment, especially for jumbo loans
- Property type: primary residence, second home, or investment
- Recent credit events: bankruptcies, foreclosures, or major late payments may require waiting periods even with a recovered score
A borrower with a 620 score and a strong overall profile can sometimes get a better outcome than a borrower with a 700 score and weak compensating factors. The score is one input, not the whole equation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score is needed to buy a house?
The minimum credit score depends on the loan program. Conventional loans typically require 620, FHA accepts 580 with 3.5 percent down or 500 with 10 percent down, VA has no official minimum (though most lenders want 580 to 620), USDA typically requires 640, and jumbo loans usually require 700 to 720 or higher.
What is the lowest credit score to qualify for a mortgage?
The lowest is generally 500 with an FHA loan, but it requires a 10 percent down payment. Some non-QM mortgages are also available for borrowers with lower scores or recent credit events, though terms vary.
Will my credit score affect my mortgage interest rate?
Yes. Higher scores typically qualify for lower rates. The biggest rate tier breaks tend to occur at 660, 700, 740, and 760. Even a 20 to 40 point improvement can shift you into a better tier and reduce your monthly payment.
What credit score do mortgage lenders use?
Mortgage lenders pull all three credit bureaus and use the middle of the three FICO scores as your qualifying score. This is often different from the score shown on free credit monitoring apps.
Can I get a mortgage right after a bankruptcy or foreclosure?
Not immediately, but the waiting periods aren’t as long as many borrowers expect. After a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, FHA typically requires 2 years and conventional requires 4 years. Chapter 13 has shorter waits with court approval. Non-QM products can offer financing even sooner. A lender experienced with post-bankruptcy borrowers can map out the timeline for your specific situation.
Ready to See What You Qualify For?
Your credit score is one input among several, and the right loan program depends on the full picture of your finances, your goals, and the home you’re targeting. A quick pre-approval conversation can confirm exactly where you stand, which loan programs are open to you, and what monthly payment range fits comfortably.
Ready to explore your options? Contact JVM Lending today for a free rate quote.
