There is no single credit score required to buy a house. Some lenders use 620 as a benchmark, but the minimum depends on the mortgage program, lender, down payment, credit history and the rest of your application. FHA policy permits scores of 580 or higher, and scores as low as 500 when you have at least 10% equity. The Department of Veterans Affairs sets no minimum score, although participating lenders may set one. A score can improve your rate and loan choices, but it never guarantees approval.
This guide covers U.S. owner-occupied home purchases. Jumbo loans, investment properties, non-qualified mortgages and state programs can use different rules.
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The short answer: 620 is a common benchmark, not a universal rule
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says some lenders want a minimum credit score of 620. That figure is a lender preference, not a federal requirement. A different lender may approve a lower score through another loan program, while a lender may reject an applicant above 620 because of debt, income, credit-history or documentation problems.
Mortgage underwriting evaluates your complete risk profile. Lenders generally review your credit reports and payment history, current income, debt obligations, savings, assets, down payment and the property itself. The CFPB notes that federal ability-to-repay rules do not require creditors to obtain a consolidated credit score or apply a universal minimum score; the official interpretation of 12 CFR § 1026.43 says exactly that.
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Therefore, treat 620 as a useful planning checkpoint. It is not a promise that you qualify, and a score below it does not automatically end your home search.
Minimum score guidance by mortgage path
Loan programs use different eligibility rules and underwriting systems. The figures below are not interchangeable: FHA policy, VA guidance, Fannie Mae automated underwriting and individual lender overlays operate differently.
| Loan path | Score guidance | Important conditions |
|---|---|---|
| General lender benchmark | Some lenders want at least 620, according to the CFPB. | The lender, loan type, down payment and full underwriting file determine the actual decision. |
| FHA-insured loan | HUD/FHA policy permits 580 or higher; scores as low as 500 are allowed in the specified case. | A score from 500 through 579 requires at least 10% equity. FHA loans require mortgage insurance. The CFPB describes FHA down payments as low as 3.5%, subject to program and lender rules. |
| VA-backed loan | The VA sets no minimum credit score. | Individual lenders may impose a score requirement. VA eligibility, income, debts, credit history and other underwriting requirements still apply. |
| Fannie Mae conventional, Desktop Underwriter (DU) | Current Fannie Mae guidance says DU casefiles have no minimum score requirement. | Automated findings and all other eligibility requirements control. This is not a universal rule for every conventional lender. |
| Fannie Mae conventional, manual underwriting | Published thresholds include 620 for fixed-rate loans and 640 for adjustable-rate loans. | These thresholds are subject to applicable Fannie Mae eligibility rules and do not represent every conventional product. |
| USDA | No universal threshold is established here. | Confirm the current USDA program rules and the participating lender’s requirements for your property and borrower profile. |
For the FHA figures, see HUD’s April 2026 FHA Outlook. The VA’s statement that it does not require a minimum appears in its Home Loan Entitlement and Limits guidance. Fannie Mae’s distinctions between DU and manual underwriting are in its Selling Guide published April 22, 2026.
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Can you buy a house with a 580 credit score?
Often, yes, through an FHA-insured mortgage. FHA policy permits a score of 580 or above, but approval still depends on income, debt, assets, credit history, the property and the lender’s own standards. FHA mortgage insurance is required, so compare the full payment and closing costs rather than looking only at the score threshold.
A score between 500 and 579 can be eligible under FHA policy when the borrower has at least 10% equity. Equity can come from the down payment and other permitted sources. The lender must still approve the complete file; the score rule does not waive income, debt-to-income, asset or property requirements.
The CFPB’s FHA overview says down payments may be as low as 3.5%. That example should not be read as a guarantee that every borrower with a 580 score will receive a 3.5% down-payment approval, because lender overlays and the rest of the underwriting file matter.
FHA scoring changes to watch
FHA has announced that alternative credit-score models are scheduled for implementation for case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2027. The policy described above is the applicable guidance as of October 2026; ask your lender which model and effective date apply to your case number.
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620 can be workable, particularly when your debts, income, down payment and reserves fit the lender’s requirements. It is also the benchmark some lenders cite, so reaching it can expand the number of lenders willing to review your application. But 620 does not guarantee approval or a particular interest rate.
At 620, ask whether the lender is using automated underwriting or manual underwriting, which score model it uses, and whether it applies an internal minimum above the program’s published rule. A lender’s “620 minimum” may be a policy overlay rather than a requirement of the government or the conventional agency.
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How your score affects rates, choices and total cost
A higher score can make you eligible for more products and a lower interest rate, but the relationship is not a simple pass-or-fail ladder. The CFPB describes broad consumer patterns: the lowest rates generally go to borrowers in the mid-to-high 700s or above; borrowers in the 680–740 range typically pay somewhat higher rates; and borrowers in the 620–680 range may have fewer choices and more difficulty qualifying. These are descriptive ranges, not price quotes, hard cutoffs or guarantees for an individual borrower.
Your score can affect more than the advertised rate. It may influence whether you qualify for a conventional loan versus an FHA loan, the size of a lender credit, required reserves, mortgage insurance pricing or the amount of down payment a lender requests. Compare the annual percentage rate, interest rate, upfront and ongoing mortgage insurance, origination charges, discount points, lender credits, cash required at closing and total projected payments.
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Use official CFPB mortgage-shopping guidance and request a Loan Estimate from each lender. A lower rate with higher points or insurance can cost more than a slightly higher rate with lower upfront charges.
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What lenders examine besides the score
A mortgage score summarizes portions of your credit file, but underwriting tests whether the proposed payment is sustainable and whether the lender can verify the application. Expect questions about:
- Payment history and recent credit events: late payments, collections, charge-offs, bankruptcies and foreclosures can matter even when the current score has recovered.
- Debt obligations: credit-card balances, installment loans, student loans, auto loans, alimony and other recurring debts reduce the income available for housing.
- Income stability: lenders verify income, employment or self-employment documentation and the continuity of earnings under the applicable program.
- Assets and reserves: bank balances and other verified assets cover the down payment, closing costs and any required reserves.
- Down payment and equity: more equity can change the available programs and may reduce the lender’s risk, while FHA and other programs have specific insurance or equity rules.
- Property and occupancy: the appraisal, property type, location and intended owner-occupancy must satisfy the selected program.
Because these elements interact, two applicants with the same score can receive different decisions and pricing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to prepare before applying
- Review every available credit report. Check personal information, account ownership, payment status, balances and public-record data. Dispute inaccurate information with the reporting company and the company that furnished it. The CFPB explains that an inaccurate report can lower your score and worsen loan terms.
- Calculate a realistic housing budget. Include principal and interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance, homeowners-association dues, maintenance and utilities. Keep cash available for closing and post-closing reserves.
- Avoid new debt while preparing. The CFPB warns that new credit applications can lower scores and that taking on debt can increase mortgage costs. Do not finance a car, run up card balances or co-sign a loan without first asking your mortgage professional how it will affect qualification.
- Document income and assets early. Gather recent pay information, tax documents when requested, bank statements and explanations for large deposits or credit events. Missing documentation can delay or derail an otherwise eligible file.
- Identify possible loan paths. Ask about conventional, FHA, VA, USDA and applicable state or local programs. If you are a veteran, confirm VA eligibility separately from the lender’s credit policy.
- Ask how the lender will underwrite you. Request the score model or models used, whether the file will go through automated underwriting or manual review, the lender’s minimum or overlay, and the compensating factors it considers when a score is below its preferred range.
- Get more than one Loan Estimate. Apply with several lenders within a focused shopping period and compare the official estimates, not just verbal rate quotes.
Does mortgage shopping hurt your credit?
Mortgage lenders generally perform a hard credit inquiry when evaluating an application. The CFPB says mortgage credit checks made within a 45-day window are recorded as a single inquiry for scoring purposes. Keep your applications concentrated within that window, and avoid unrelated credit applications at the same time. The 45-day treatment applies to mortgage shopping; it does not erase other changes to your credit profile, such as higher card balances or a new account.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteAsk each lender when it will pull credit, which reports and scores it will use, and whether a prequalification uses a soft or hard inquiry. The lender’s explanation should match the disclosure you receive.
Common mistakes that lead to a rejection or expensive terms
- Treating 620 as a universal pass mark: a lender can require more, and another program may accept less.
- Choosing a loan from the score alone: FHA mortgage insurance, points, lender fees and the long-term payment can outweigh a small rate difference.
- Ignoring lender overlays: a program’s published policy may be more flexible than a particular lender’s internal rules.
- Applying after unexplained credit changes: new inquiries, balances or late payments can alter underwriting between preapproval and closing.
- Failing to correct report errors: inaccurate accounts can depress a score or trigger manual questions.
- Assuming automated underwriting is guaranteed: Fannie Mae’s DU treatment does not mean every lender, loan product or manually underwritten file has no minimum.
- Comparing only the interest rate: use Loan Estimates to compare cash to close, monthly payment, mortgage insurance, points, credits and five-year costs.
Questions to ask a lender
- Which credit-score model and bureau reports will you use?
- What is your minimum score for this specific loan, and do you impose an overlay above the program’s rule?
- Will my file be evaluated by automated underwriting or manual underwriting?
- How do my debts, reserves, down payment and recent credit history affect the decision?
- What mortgage insurance, points, fees and cash-to-close should I expect?
- Which alternative programs could fit if this loan path does not?
- When will you refresh credit, income and asset documentation before closing?
What this answer does not establish
The thresholds above address U.S. owner-occupied purchase loans covered by the cited program guidance. They do not establish a universal rule for jumbo financing, investment properties, second homes, non-qualified mortgages or every state housing-finance program. Program guidelines and lender overlays can change, so confirm the current rule directly with more than one lender and review the Loan Estimates before choosing.
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