What credit score do I need
You don’t need perfect credit to buy a home. Lenders look at your middle mortgage score and a few other signals to choose loan options and pricing. Here’s what score ranges usually unlock and how to lift your number before you shop.
Quick answer by loan type
- Conventional: Many lenders want 620 or higher for approval, with better pricing at 680, 700, 740, and above.
- FHA: Often works at 580 with 3.5% down. Lower scores may be possible with more down and clean recent history.
- VA: No official minimum in the rule book. Many lenders use 600–620 as a guide. Strong residual income helps.
- USDA: 640 is a common benchmark for automated approvals. Below that can work with manual review when the file is strong.
These are typical guides, not guarantees. Lender overlays vary by company and market.
What lenders actually check
- Middle mortgage score: With 3 scores they use the middle. With 2 they use the lower. With 1 they use that one.
- On-time history: Recent late payments hurt more than older ones.
- Credit use: High card balances compared to limits pull scores down even with perfect payment history.
- Mix and age: A longer clean history and mix of accounts helps.
- Collections and disputes: Some items must be resolved before closing.
Fast ways to lift your score
- Pay card balances down: Aim for 30% or less of each limit. 10% is even better.
- Prevent new late payments: Turn on autopay for minimums so nothing slips.
- Pause new accounts: Several new lines can lower your average age and add inquiries.
- Trim harmful authorized user cards: Remove cards that show high balances or late history.
- Fix clear report errors: Duplicate collections and obvious mistakes can be corrected.
Close to a pricing tier? Even a small bump can lower your rate and payment. See which loan type is best for me next.
Score tiers and why pricing changes
On conventional loans, pricing improves as you move through tiers like 680, 700, 740, and higher. FHA and VA are more forgiving on score but add their own costs and rules. A strong local lender can show how just a few more points may lower your monthly payment — sometimes saving $200–$400 per month on a $200,000 loan.
Common questions
Can I buy with a score under 600?
Sometimes yes — mainly with FHA and with more down, clean recent history, and a lender that allows it.
Do joint borrowers use an average score?
No. Lenders use the lower middle score of the borrowers on the loan.
Do I need to pay off all collections?
Not always. Medical collections and small items can be treated differently by loan type.