Credit Score To Buy a House: What You Need

Most home buyers need a credit score of at least 620 for a conventional loan, 580 for an FHA loan with 3.5% down, 500 for an FHA loan with 10% down, 580 to 660 for many VA lenders, 640 for smoother USDA underwriting and 700 or higher for many jumbo loans.

These are common benchmarks, not guarantees, because lenders can set stricter requirements than the loan program itself allows.

Buying a home in 2026 starts with one number — your credit score. It tells lenders how risky you may be as a borrower, and it can shape the loan types you qualify for, your down payment, your interest rate and how much you pay over the next 15 to 30 years.

Key Takeaways

• FHA loans: FHA may allow scores from 500 to 579 with 10% down or 580 and higher with 3.5% down, though lenders can require higher scores.

• VA loans: VA does not set one federal minimum credit score, but lenders use credit history to assess risk and often set their own score requirements.

• Conventional loans: Fannie Mae’s general credit score requirements list a minimum representative credit score of 620 for many loans.

• USDA loans: USDA guidance calls for a full credit review when an applicant’s score is below 640, has one or no scores or has significant delinquency.

• Jumbo loans: Jumbo loans often require stronger credit because they exceed conforming loan limits and are not backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

• Your score affects your rate: A higher score may help you qualify for better mortgage pricing and save money over the life of the loan.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

What Credit Score Do You Need To Buy a House?

There's no single credit score required to buy a house because each mortgage program has different rules. Lenders can also add stricter standards, often called lender overlays.

For example, FHA rules may allow lower scores, but a specific lender may still require 580, 600, 620 or higher. VA doesn't set one program-wide credit score minimum, but lenders still use credit history to decide whether a borrower qualifies.

Minimum Credit Score by Loan Type

Use the table below to compare what each loan program commonly requires before you apply.

Fannie Mae lists 620 as the representative minimum credit score for many conventional-loan situations, and Fannie Mae’s HomeReady program lists a 620 minimum credit score, up to 50% debt-to-income ratio and 3% down for eligible buyers.

Credit Score Requirements by Mortgage Type

Different loan programs are built for different buyers. The right fit depends on your credit score, income, down payment, debt, military status, property location and loan amount.

Credit Score: 620+ for Conventional Loans

A conventional loan isn't insured or guaranteed by the federal government. These loans often work best for borrowers with good credit, steady income and manageable debt. Conventional loans may be a good fit if you have:

• A credit score around 620 or higher

• Stable income

• A manageable debt-to-income ratio

• Money saved for a down payment and closing costs

• A goal of eventually removing private mortgage insurance

Some conventional programs allow low down payments. For example, Fannie Mae’s HomeReady program may allow as little as 3% down for eligible borrowers, with a 620 minimum score and income limits tied to area median income.

Credit Score: 500 to 580+ for FHA Loans

FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration and are often used by first-time buyers or borrowers with lower credit scores. In general:

• 580 or higher: May qualify for 3.5% down

• 500 to 579: May qualify with 10% down

• Below 500: Usually not eligible for FHA-insured financing

FHA loans may be a good fit if:

• Your score is below the conventional-loan range

• You have limited savings for a down payment

• You plan to live in the home as your primary residence

• You can afford mortgage insurance

• You meet lender income and debt requirements

Lenders can still set stricter minimums, so approval isn't automatic even if your score meets FHA’s program threshold.

Credit Score: 580 to 660 for Many VA Lenders

VA loans are available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members and some surviving spouses. VA-backed loans can offer strong benefits, including no required down payment for many eligible borrowers. VA doesn't set one universal credit score requirement. VA guidance says lenders use your credit history to assess creditworthiness, and a higher score may help you qualify for better loan terms.

VA loans may be a good fit if:

• You are eligible through military service or surviving-spouse status

• You want a low- or no-down-payment option

• You want to avoid private mortgage insurance

• You can meet the lender’s credit and income requirements

Credit Score: 640+ for Smoother USDA Underwriting

USDA loans may help eligible low- to moderate-income buyers purchase homes in qualifying rural or suburban areas. USDA loans can offer no-down-payment financing for eligible borrowers and properties.

USDA doesn't publish one fixed minimum score for every borrower, but USDA credit guidance says a full credit review is required when an applicant’s score is below 640, has one or zero credit scores or has significant delinquency. USDA loans may be a good fit if:

• The property is in an eligible area

• Your household income fits USDA limits

• You want a no-down-payment option

• You can meet the lender’s credit requirements

• You are buying a primary residence

Credit Score: 700+ for Jumbo Loans

A jumbo loan is a mortgage that exceeds the conforming loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. For 2026, the baseline conforming loan limit for one-unit properties in most of the U.S. is $832,750. Loans above the applicable county limit are generally considered jumbo loans.

Because jumbo loans are not backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, lenders take on more risk and usually set tougher requirements. What you can expect with a jumbo loan:

• Minimum credit score: Often 700, with stronger pricing at 740 or higher

• Down payment: Often 10% to 20%

• Debt-to-income ratio: Many lenders prefer 43% or lower

• Cash reserves: You may need several months of mortgage payments saved

• Documentation: Lenders may require deeper review of income, assets and debts

Jumbo-loan rules vary widely by lender, loan size and property market.

MoneyLion offers a service to help you find personal loan offers. Based on the information you provide, you can get matched with offers for up to $100,000 from our top providers. You can compare rates, terms, and fees from different lenders and choose the best offer for you.

How Your Credit Score Affects Your Mortgage Rate

Your credit score is one of the biggest factors in your annual percentage rate, or APR. Even a modest score improvement can lower your monthly payment and save thousands over a 30-year mortgage. Here's how mortgage-pricing tiers often break down:

• 760 and up: Often the strongest available APR tier

• 740 to 759: Usually close to the top tier

• 700 to 739: Often more competitive than lower-score tiers

• 680 to 699:

  May come with higher pricing or fewer lender options

• 660 to 679: Can mean higher APRs and stricter lender review

• 620 to 659: Often the highest conventional-loan APR tier

On a large mortgage, a higher APR can make a major difference. Even a gap of 0.50 to 1.50 percentage points can add hundreds of dollars to a monthly payment and tens of thousands in interest over the life of a 30-year loan.

Your exact rate depends on the lender, loan type, points, down payment, property location, market rates, debt-to-income ratio and credit profile.

What Else Do Mortgage Lenders Look At?

Credit score is only one part of a mortgage application. A borrower with a strong score can still be denied if other parts of the file are weak.

Program eligibility and lender approval aren't always the same thing. You may meet a loan program’s published minimums but still need to satisfy the lender’s underwriting rules.

Can You Buy a House With Bad Credit?

Yes, you may be able to buy a house with bad credit, especially through an FHA loan. FHA may allow scores as low as 500 with 10% down, while scores of 580 or higher may qualify for the 3.5% down payment option. Lenders may still set higher minimums.

If your score is low, you may improve your chances by:

• Saving for a larger down payment

• Paying down credit card balances

• Disputing credit report errors

• Avoiding new credit before applying

• Comparing FHA, VA, USDA and conventional options

• Working with lenders that serve lower-score borrowers

• Getting preapproved before house hunting

Bad credit doesn't automatically make buying impossible, but it can make the loan more expensive. Compare payments, rates and total costs before committing.

Can You Buy a House With No Credit Score?

It may be possible, but it can be harder. Some programs allow lenders to evaluate nontraditional credit, like rent, utility or insurance payment history. If you have no credit score, ask lenders whether they allow nontraditional credit and what documents they need.

Useful documents may include:

• Rent payment history

• Utility payment records

• Insurance payment records

• Bank statements

• Employment records

• Proof of income

• Letters from landlords or service providers

How To Improve Your Credit Score Before Buying a House

If you can wait before applying, improving your credit may help you qualify for better mortgage terms.

Pay Every Bill on Time

Payment history is one of the biggest credit score factors. A recent late payment can hurt your mortgage application, even if your score still meets a program minimum.

Lower Credit Card Balances

High credit card balances can hurt your score and increase your debt-to-income ratio. Paying balances down before applying may help once updated balances are reported.

Check Your Credit Reports

Review your credit reports before applying. Look for incorrect late payments, unfamiliar accounts, wrong balances or duplicate collections. If you spot an error, dispute it before you start the mortgage process.

Avoid New Credit Before Applying

Opening new credit cards, financing furniture or taking out a car loan before applying can affect your score and debt-to-income ratio. Try to keep your credit profile stable before mortgage underwriting.

Save for a Larger Down Payment

A larger down payment can reduce your loan amount and may strengthen your application. For FHA loans, a 10% down payment may help borrowers with scores from 500 to 579 meet FHA’s lower-score threshold.

Should You Wait To Buy Until Your Credit Score Improves?

You may want to wait if your score is close to a better loan tier. For example, moving from the high 500s to 580 may help you qualify for the FHA 3.5% down payment option instead of 10% down. Moving from the low 600s to 620 may improve conventional-loan access. Moving toward 740 may help with pricing.

Waiting may make sense if:

• Your score is close to a better threshold

• You have high credit card balances

• You recently missed a payment

• You need more money for closing costs

• Your debt-to-income ratio is too high

• The estimated mortgage payment feels tight

Buying now may still make sense if you qualify, can afford the payment and have stable income. The right choice depends on your timeline, local housing market and financial cushion.

The Bottom Line

The credit score to buy a house depends on the loan program. Conventional loans commonly use 620 as a key benchmark, FHA loans may allow scores as low as 500 with a larger down payment, VA loans leave credit-score rules largely to lenders and USDA loans often use 640 as an important underwriting marker.

Your score matters, but it is not the whole application. Before you apply, check your credit reports, pay down revolving balances, compare loan programs and ask lenders what score they require for the mortgage type you want.

Key Terms

• FICO score: The credit score model used by many mortgage lenders. FICO scores usually range from 300 to 850.

• VantageScore: A competing credit score model built by the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

• Loan-to-value ratio: The size of your loan compared to the home’s value. A lower loan-to-value ratio means a bigger down payment and may help you qualify for better terms.

• Debt-to-income ratio: The share of your monthly income that goes toward debt payments. Many lenders prefer this under 43%, though rules vary by loan type and borrower profile.

• Annual percentage rate: The yearly cost of your loan, including interest and certain lender fees.

• Private mortgage insurance: Extra insurance required on many conventional loans when your down payment is under 20%.

• Conventional loan: A mortgage that is not insured or guaranteed by the federal government.

• FHA loan: A mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration that may allow lower credit scores with a larger down payment.

• Jumbo loan: A mortgage that exceeds the conforming loan limit for the county where the property is located.

Sources:

• HUD: FHA loan guidance

• Fannie Mae: General credit score requirements

• Fannie Mae: HomeReady Mortgage

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: VA home loan toolkit

• USDA Rural Development: Credit requirements

• Federal Housing Finance Agency: 2026 conforming loan limits

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Credit reports and scores

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do you need to buy a $300,000 house? The home price does not change the minimum credit score. You may still need 620 for many conventional loans or 580 for an FHA loan with 3.5% down, but a higher score can help you qualify for the larger monthly payment a $300,000 home requires.

Is 650 a good credit score to buy a home? A 650 score may be enough to qualify for FHA, VA and some conventional loans, depending on the lender and the rest of your application. Under FICO, 650 is considered Fair, not Good, so you may pay a higher APR than a borrower with a 700 or 740 score.

What is the lowest credit score to buy a house in 2026? The lowest score that may qualify for a traditional mortgage is generally 500 through an FHA loan with a 10% down payment. Scores below 500 generally do not qualify for FHA-insured financing, and conventional, VA, USDA and jumbo lenders usually expect stronger credit.

Can you buy a house with a 600 credit score? Yes. A 600 score may qualify for an FHA loan and some VA loans, depending on the lender. You should expect closer lender review, higher pricing and possible overlays.

Does checking your credit score lower it? No. Checking your own credit score is a soft inquiry and does not lower your score. A hard inquiry can happen when a lender checks your credit for a mortgage application.

How long does it take to raise your credit score to buy a house? It depends on what is holding your score back. Some buyers may raise their score within three to six months by paying down revolving balances, making on-time payments and correcting credit report errors. Late payments, collections or a thin credit file can take longer.

What credit score do you need for a jumbo loan? Many jumbo lenders look for at least 700, and some reserve stronger pricing for 740 or higher. Jumbo rules vary by lender because these loans are not backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.