Qualifying
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.
The full picture
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.
Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22 · https://clearvaluelending.com/answers/what-credit-score-do-you-need-to-buy-a-house