Buying
What credit score do I need to buy a house?
Most conventional loans require a 620+ score, FHA loans accept 580+, and VA loans have no official minimum — though most VA lenders prefer 580–620 or higher.
Your credit score affects whether you can get a loan and what rate you'll pay. Understanding the minimums — and where you ideally want to be — helps you plan your timeline and reduce your cost of borrowing.
Minimum credit scores by loan type
- Conventional loan: 620 minimum, though 680+ gets you meaningfully better rates
- FHA loan: 580 with 3.5% down; 500–579 with 10% down
- VA loan: No official minimum, but most lenders require 580–620+
- USDA loan: Typically 640+ for automated underwriting
How much does score affect your rate?
Significantly. The difference between a 620 and a 760 score can be 1–1.5 percentage points on your interest rate. On a $300,000 loan, that's a difference of $200+ per month. If your score is close to a tier threshold, spending 3–6 months improving it before applying can save you tens of thousands over the life of the loan.
Practical steps to improve your score
- Pay down revolving balances to below 30% of each card's limit
- Don't close old accounts — length of credit history matters
- Avoid opening new credit lines in the 6 months before applying
- Dispute any errors on your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com
- Set up autopay to eliminate missed payments going forward
Talk to a lender before you assume your score disqualifies you. I can connect you with local lenders who work with a range of credit profiles and are honest about what's achievable on your timeline.
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