What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a Home?
Your credit score is one of the biggest factors lenders use when deciding whether to approve your mortgage. This page explains the minimum scores for each loan type and what lenders look for during approval.
Minimum Credit Scores by Loan Type
- FHA Loans: 580+ for 3.5% down, 500–579 with 10% down
- Conventional Loans: 620+
- VA Loans: No official minimum, most lenders use 580–620
- USDA Loans: 640+ preferred
What Lenders Actually Look At
- Payment history
- Credit utilization
- Length of credit history
- Recent inquiries
- Mix of credit accounts
How Your Score Impacts Your Approval
Higher scores mean easier approval, lower rates, and more loan options. Lower scores may require compensating factors like higher income, larger down payment, or strong reserves.
How to Check Your Credit Safely
Use trusted sources like AnnualCreditReport.com or your bank’s credit monitoring tools. Avoid sites that require unnecessary personal information.
Explore Loan Programs
Ready to see which loan programs fit your credit profile? Start with our Loan Programs section.
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