If you’re planning to buy a home, one of the first questions is: “Is my credit score high enough?” The honest 2026 answer is that there’s no single number — the minimum depends on the loan type, ranging from as low as 500 for some FHA loans to 620+ for conventional loans, with the best rates reserved for scores of 740 and above. This guide breaks down the credit score requirements for every major mortgage type, explains how your score affects what you’ll actually pay, and shows what to do if you’re not there yet.
This is general educational information, not personalized financial advice. Requirements are current as of 2026 and vary by lender — always confirm with a licensed lender for your situation.
(Planning your first home purchase? See our first-time homebuyer mortgages guide for the full picture, and how credit scores work for the fundamentals.)
The short answer: minimum scores by loan type
Here are the general program minimums as of 2026. Two crucial caveats follow the table, so read those too.
| Loan type | Minimum credit score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FHA | 500 (with 10% down) or 580 (with 3.5% down) | Most flexible; popular with first-time buyers |
| VA | No official minimum | Most lenders set an internal floor of ~580–620 |
| USDA | ~640 typically | For eligible rural/suburban buyers |
| Conventional | ~620 (lender standard) | Fannie/Freddie removed their official minimum in late 2025 |
| Jumbo | ~700–720+ | For loans above conforming limits |
Two things you must understand about this table:
- The minimum is not the same as approval. Meeting the minimum score doesn’t guarantee a loan — lenders also weigh your income, debt-to-income ratio, down payment, savings/reserves, employment history, and the property itself.
- Lender “overlays” are real. These are program floors; individual lenders often set their own minimums 20–40 points higher to reduce risk. So even though FHA allows 580, many FHA lenders require 620. Always ask the specific lender.
An important 2026 change: conventional loans
Here’s a genuinely significant recent development. As of November 2025, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac removed the strict minimum credit score requirement from their conventional loan guidelines. Instead, automated underwriting now evaluates your entire financial file rather than applying one universal cutoff.
In practice, most lenders still use 620 as their working minimum for conventional loans. But the shift matters because newer scoring models (VantageScore 4.0, FICO 10T) are entering mortgage underwriting — and these can factor in rent, utility, and phone payment history. If you’ve paid those reliably but have a thin traditional credit file, this change may work in your favor. As of September 2026, the FHFA cleared all approved lenders to use VantageScore 4.0 (not just Classic FICO) when originating these loans, so the newer models are now actively rolling out. For the full comparison, see FICO vs VantageScore.
Your score doesn’t just decide approval — it decides your rate
This is where credit score has the biggest financial impact, and it’s worth understanding clearly. Even if you qualify at 620, your score heavily influences the interest rate you’re offered — and over a 30-year mortgage, that’s enormous.
For conventional loans, Fannie Mae uses Loan-Level Price Adjustments (LLPAs) — risk-based fees tied to your credit score and down payment. The difference is steep: a borrower with a 660 score and 5% down could pay roughly 1.5 to 2.75 percentage points more in fees than a borrower with a 760 score and the same down payment. Those fees translate directly into a higher interest rate.
The takeaway: 740+ is the “optimal” range where you unlock the best rates and terms. The jump from a fair score to a very good one can save you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan — which makes improving your score before applying one of the highest-return things you can do.
What lenders look at besides your score
Your credit score is central, but a mortgage approval considers your whole profile:
- Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio — how much of your monthly income goes to debt payments. Well-documented income can be a compensating factor when your score is near the minimum.
- Down payment size — a larger down payment reduces lender risk and can expand your options near a program’s credit floor.
- Cash reserves — savings left after closing signal financial stability.
- Employment history — consistent, documented income supports your ability to repay.
- Recent payment history — lenders look closely at the last 12–24 months; recent late payments and collections carry significant weight.
For buyers with thin credit files, rental payment history can serve as nontraditional credit evidence in FHA manual underwriting and some programs.
What to do if your score isn’t there yet
If you’re below the threshold for the loan you want, you have real options:
- Improve your score before applying. Even a modest bump can move you into a better rate tier or across a lender’s minimum. See our guide to how to improve your credit score — focus on lowering credit utilization (the fastest win) and paying everything on time.
- Check all three credit reports first and dispute errors — a mistake could be holding your score down right before the most important application of your financial life. See how to read your credit report.
- Consider FHA if your score is below 620 — it’s usually the most flexible path for lower scores with steady income.
- Bring a larger down payment — it reduces lender risk and can help near a program’s credit minimum.
- Avoid new credit applications in the months before applying — new hard inquiries and accounts can lower your score and raise lender concerns right when it matters most.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the lowest credit score to buy a house? Generally 500, via an FHA loan with a 10% down payment. With 3.5% down, FHA requires 580. Conventional loans typically need 620.
What credit score gets the best mortgage rate? Generally 740 and above. Above that range, you qualify for the most competitive rates and lowest fees.
Do VA loans have a minimum credit score? The VA doesn’t mandate one, but most lenders set an internal floor around 580–620.
Did conventional loan credit requirements change? Yes — in late 2025, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac removed their official minimum score requirement, though most lenders still use 620 in practice, and newer scoring models can now factor in rent and utility history.
How much does my score affect what I pay? A lot. Through risk-based pricing, a lower score can add fees equal to a meaningfully higher interest rate — potentially tens of thousands of dollars over a 30-year loan.
Can I buy a house with a 620 score? Yes, you can typically qualify for a conventional or FHA loan at 620 — but you’ll get a better rate (and pay less) with a higher score, so it may be worth improving it first.
The bottom line
There’s no universal credit score to buy a house in 2026 — it ranges from 500 (FHA with 10% down) to 620 (conventional) to 740+ for the best rates. But the minimum is just the entry point: your score also shapes your interest rate, and lenders weigh your income, DTI, down payment, and reserves alongside it. If you’re close to a threshold, improving your score and checking your reports before you apply can save you a great deal. Know your number, know your loan type, and confirm the specifics with a licensed lender.
Related reading: Get ready to buy with our first-time homebuyer mortgages guide, improve your number with how to improve your credit score, and understand the basics in how credit scores work.
Sources
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — Mortgages & credit: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) — FHA loans: https://www.hud.gov/
- Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac — conventional loan guidelines: https://www.fanniemae.com/
- Bankrate / NerdWallet — Credit score to buy a house (2026): https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/what-credit-score-do-you-need-to-buy-a-house/
General educational information, not personalized financial advice. Mortgage requirements were current as of 2026, vary by lender, and change over time — confirm specifics with a licensed mortgage lender for your situation.
