There is no single credit score needed to buy a house in the United States. The score that works depends on the loan program, lender, down payment, debt-to-income ratio, and the rest of your credit profile. In 2026, that distinction matters because some conventional underwriting rules have changed.
The useful question is not simply, “Is my score high enough?” It is, “Which mortgage options are realistic with my current score, and what might that score cost me in rate or fees?” Answering that before preapproval can help you focus on loans that fit your situation.
What Is the Minimum Credit Score to Buy a House?
For many buyers, 620 is still a familiar reference point because it has long been associated with conventional mortgages. However, it is no longer accurate to call 620 a universal minimum for every conventional loan. Fannie Mae’s Desktop Underwriter, or DU, no longer requires a minimum third-party credit score for loan casefiles. Fannie Mae still requires 620 for manually underwritten fixed-rate loans and 640 for manually underwritten adjustable-rate mortgages.
That does not mean a borrower with a very low score will automatically qualify. Automated underwriting evaluates the broader credit file, and lenders can impose stricter standards. Your credit score for mortgage purposes also affects pricing, so eligibility and affordability are two different questions.
Credit Score Requirements by Mortgage Type
Conventional loans
Conventional loans are not federally insured, and their credit rules depend on the underwriting path and investor requirements. Fannie Mae DU no longer has a fixed minimum credit score, while manually underwritten loans retain minimums. Freddie Mac also uses automated underwriting that evaluates more than a single score, and manually underwritten products can carry specific requirements. So the old claim that every conventional mortgage requires exactly 620 is too simplistic.
FHA loans
FHA financing remains one of the clearest options for borrowers with lower scores. Under FHA rules, a minimum decision credit score of 580 can allow maximum financing, generally meaning a down payment as low as 3.5%. Scores from 500 through 579 generally require at least a 10% down payment.
Those are FHA program thresholds, not guarantees from every lender. A bank or mortgage company may set a higher minimum credit score home loan requirement, commonly called a lender overlay. A borrower can meet FHA’s baseline and still be declined by a particular lender.
VA loans
The Department of Veterans Affairs does not set a minimum credit score for VA-guaranteed home loans. Participating lenders review the borrower’s overall credit history and may establish their own score requirements. Eligible borrowers should compare several lenders because their credit cutoffs can differ.
USDA loans
USDA’s Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program currently states that it has no credit score requirement. Applicants must still demonstrate an ability and willingness to manage debt, and lenders perform their own underwriting. Property location, household income, and other USDA eligibility rules also apply.
Why Your Score Still Matters Without a Hard Minimum
Qualification is only half the story. Credit scores can influence the interest rate and fees you are offered. In general, stronger credit histories receive more favorable pricing because lenders view them as lower risk. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says borrowers in the mid-to-high 700s or above tend to have access to the lowest rates and the widest range of choices, while borrowers in lower ranges may pay more or have fewer options.
Raising a FICO score can therefore be valuable even after you meet a program’s eligibility rules. A better score may improve your rate or reduce pricing adjustments on some conventional loans.
Your Mortgage Score May Differ From the Score You See Online
Many buyers check a free score through a bank or credit-monitoring app and assume that is the number a mortgage lender will use. It may not be. Consumers can have multiple scores because different scoring models and credit bureaus use different data and formulas. Mortgage underwriting has traditionally relied heavily on specific FICO models from the major credit bureaus.
A consumer score of 705 therefore does not guarantee that your mortgage scores will also be 705. If a small difference changes your options, ask which score or underwriting result is driving the decision.
A Practical Example: Buying With a 610 Score
Suppose a buyer has a 610 score, stable employment, manageable debt, and savings for closing. They should not automatically assume homeownership is off the table because they are below the familiar 620 benchmark. FHA rules may allow a low-down-payment option, and some automated conventional underwriting does not use a hard minimum score.
The buyer could still face lender overlays, a higher rate, or less favorable pricing. A sensible next step is to request comparable FHA and conventional quotes and compare the full Loan Estimates. Look at the interest rate, APR, mortgage insurance, lender fees, cash to close, and long-term cost rather than choosing solely by monthly payment.
How to Improve Your Mortgage Options Before Applying
Review all three credit reports for errors well before making an offer. Correcting an inaccurate late payment or balance can matter more than chasing generic credit tricks. Keep credit-card balances low relative to their limits, avoid opening several new accounts shortly before mortgage shopping, and make every payment on time.
Remember that lenders evaluate more than credit. Paying down a monthly debt may improve your debt-to-income ratio even if the score change is modest, while building cash reserves can strengthen the overall file. Your score is one filter in underwriting, not the entire decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a house with a 600 credit score?
Potentially, yes. FHA financing may be available at that score under program rules, while some other programs do not impose a universal score minimum. Approval still depends on the lender and your broader financial profile.
Is 620 still the minimum credit score for a conventional loan?
Not universally. In 2026, Fannie Mae’s Desktop Underwriter does not require a minimum third-party credit score, although manually underwritten Fannie Mae fixed-rate loans generally require at least 620. Lenders may set additional standards.
What credit score usually gets the best mortgage rate?
No score guarantees the best rate. Generally, borrowers in the mid-to-high 700s and above have access to more favorable pricing, but rates also depend on down payment, loan type, property, points, lender, and market conditions.
Can I get a mortgage with no credit score?
Possibly. Some programs and underwriting methods accommodate borrowers without a usable traditional score when other documentation supports the application. Availability depends on the loan type and lender.
Choose the Loan Path Before Chasing a Number
The credit score needed to buy a house is better viewed as a range of possibilities than a single gate. FHA has clear lower-score thresholds, VA and USDA do not impose a universal minimum score, and conventional automated underwriting is more nuanced than the old “620 or nothing” rule suggests.
If your score is borderline, compare programs before spending months trying to hit an arbitrary number. Improving credit can still lower borrowing costs, but the goal is a mortgage you can qualify for comfortably and afford over time.
