What credit score do you need to buy a house?

The minimum credit score to buy a house depends on the loan type: FHA loans accept scores as low as 500 (with 10% down) or 580 (with 3.5% down); conventional loans typically require 620 or higher. Higher scores unlock better rates.

Minimum credit scores by loan type

Different mortgage programs set different score floors. These are the program minimums — many lenders layer on stricter requirements (overlays), so your actual approval threshold may be higher.

FHA loans: Minimum 580 FICO for the 3.5% down payment option. Scores 500–579 may qualify with 10% down. Below 500 is ineligible for FHA financing.
Conventional loans (Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac): 620 is the traditional benchmark for manually underwritten loans; automated underwriting evaluates the full profile, but lenders almost universally set minimums at or above 620.
VA loans: The VA sets no minimum score, but most VA-approved lenders require at least 620.
USDA loans: Typically 640 minimum for streamlined automated approval.

How your score affects your mortgage rate

Meeting the minimum only gets you in the door. Your credit score is a primary input lenders use to price your rate. The CFPB explains that borrowers with higher scores typically qualify for lower rates and have more loan options. A 50–100 point difference can mean meaningfully different monthly payments over a 30-year loan.

If your score is below the threshold

Options: (1) Improve your score before applying — paying down card balances below 30% of the limit and resolving report errors are the fastest levers. (2) Explore FHA financing, which has the most accessible minimums. (3) Save a larger down payment. The CFPB's Owning a Home tools walk through these scenarios.

What lenders look at beyond the score

Lenders also weigh your debt-to-income ratio, employment history, down payment size, and the loan type and size. A borrower with a 650 score, stable income, and 20% down may be approved when a 650-score borrower with high existing debt and 3.5% down is not.

Sources

FHA requires a minimum 580 FICO for the 3.5% down program; 500–579 requires 10% down; below 500 is ineligible. — HUD — FHA Credit Requirements
For Fannie Mae manually underwritten loans, the minimum representative credit score is generally 620. — Fannie Mae Selling Guide — B3-5.1-01
Your credit score and report determine whether you can get a mortgage and what rate you pay; higher scores mean lower rates and more choices. — CFPB

Key takeaways

FHA: 580+ for 3.5% down; 500–579 needs 10% down; below 500 ineligible.
Conventional: 620+ is the standard manual-underwriting floor.
VA and USDA loans have their own rules — most lenders set 620–640 minimums.
Your score affects your rate, not just eligibility — even a 50-point improvement helps.