Mortgage credit score guidelines by loan type
| Loan type | Program credit guideline | What to remember |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional (Fannie Mae) | No fixed minimum for Desktop Underwriter; standard manual fixed-rate underwriting generally starts at 620 (640 for adjustable-rate loans). | Automated approval assesses the full credit file and other risk factors. Lenders may set additional requirements. |
| FHA | 580 or higher for maximum financing with a minimum 3.5% down payment; 500–579 generally requires at least 10% down. | FHA insurance rules are not a promise that a lender will approve the loan. |
| VA | VA does not require a minimum credit score. | Individual lenders may set their own minimums and assess income, debt and credit history. |
| USDA | No single score applies across all USDA home-loan programs and underwriting paths. | Ask a participating lender about the specific program, location and eligibility rules. |
These are program guidelines as of September 2026, not universal lender cutoffs. A lender may impose stricter standards. For a mortgage decision, ask the lender which program and underwriting method it will use.
Why a better score can matter
Credit history can affect the options and terms a lender offers. For a purely illustrative $300,000 loan over 30 years, monthly principal and interest would be approximately $1,799 at 6.0%, $1,896 at 6.5%, and $1,996 at 7.0%. These are hypothetical rates, not current offers; the examples exclude taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance and other costs. Your quoted rate depends on far more than your credit score.
Seven practical steps before applying
- Read all three credit reports. Request them through AnnualCreditReport.com, the federally authorized site, and check names, balances, payment history and unfamiliar accounts.
- Pay on time. Set reminders or automatic minimum payments where appropriate.
- Review revolving balances. Lower card utilization can help some scoring models, but preserve cash needed for down payment, closing costs and reserves.
- Dispute genuine errors. File disputes with the reporting bureau and, when useful, the furnisher. Accurate negative information cannot simply be erased.
- Pause unnecessary applications. A new loan or card can affect inquiries, balances and debt-to-income calculations.
- Think before closing an older card. Lower available credit can increase utilization; ask your lender if a change is relevant to your application.
- Compare lenders. Ask about the loan program, score model, down payment, mortgage insurance, fees and a written Loan Estimate.
Credit results vary by person and reporting cycle. No step guarantees a particular score increase or mortgage approval.
Does checking your own credit hurt your score?
Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry and does not lower your score. A lender's mortgage application inquiry is different. Scoring models generally provide a rate-shopping window for mortgage inquiries, but its length varies by model. A consumer app may also display a different score from the model a mortgage lender uses.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a house with a 580 credit score?
Possibly. FHA maximum financing is available under its program rules at 580 or above, subject to all other requirements. A lender may require a higher score.
Can I get a mortgage with a 600 credit score?
Potentially through FHA, VA or an automated conventional underwriting path, depending on your full application and lender. Ask more than one lender about available programs.
Is a 700 credit score enough?
A 700 score may satisfy many lenders' credit standards, but approval and pricing also depend on income, debts, assets, property and loan terms.
How fast can I improve my score?
There is no universal timeline. Balance updates can appear after a creditor reports; late payments and other negative history can take much longer to overcome.
Prepare with reliable information
Use CFPB's homebuying resources and consider a HUD-approved housing counselor as you plan. For credit education and monitoring options, explore RaiseCreditScoreFast.com.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission if you enroll through this link.
Explore credit monitoring tools
SmartCredit offers credit-related information and planning tools. Review the current membership price, renewal, cancellation and feature terms before enrolling. Monitoring does not guarantee a score increase or mortgage approval.
Review SmartCredit →Sources and further reading
- Fannie Mae Selling Guide: credit score requirements
- HUD FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook
- VA: home loan entitlement and lender credit requirements
- USDA Rural Development housing programs
- USA.gov: free credit reports
More about credit and buying a house · Ways to improve your credit profile