Typical minimums are about 620 for a conventional loan, 580 for an FHA loan with 3.5% down (500 with 10% down), and no official minimum for VA loans, though most lenders want around 620. Qualifying is only the start: a higher score usually means a lower rate and cheaper mortgage insurance, which can save thousands of dollars a year.
Minimum scores by loan type
| Loan | Typical minimum score | Minimum down payment |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 620 | 3% for many first-time buyers, otherwise 5% |
| FHA | 580 (500 to 579 with 10% down) | 3.5% |
| VA | No official minimum; lenders often want about 620 | 0% |
| USDA | Often about 640 for automated approval | 0% |
| Jumbo | Often 700 or higher | Often 10% to 20% |
Individual lenders can set higher minimums than these, and your full picture (income, debts, savings) matters too.
Try it: Credit score to loan optionsEnter your score and down payment to see which loan types you’re likely to qualify for.What your score costs you
For conventional loans, pricing changes in steps as your score rises, roughly every 20 points, especially below 740. A buyer with a 660 score can pay a noticeably higher rate, or more in points, than one with 760 on the same loan, and mortgage insurance costs more at lower scores too.
On a $350,000 loan, a difference of half a percentage point in rate is about $115 a month, or roughly $40,000 over 30 years. See your own numbers with the credit score cost calculator, and get a rough rate for your score with the mortgage rate estimator.
Which score lenders use
Mortgage lenders pull your scores from all three credit bureaus and usually use the middle one. If you’re applying with someone else, many lenders use the lower of your two middle scores. The scores in free apps are often a different version than lenders use, so expect some difference.
How to raise your score before you apply
- Pay down credit card balances. Using less than about 30% of each card’s limit helps, and under 10% helps more. This is often the fastest way to gain points.
- Pay every bill on time. A single late payment can cost many points.
- Fix errors. Check your reports free at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute mistakes.
- Don’t open new accounts in the months before you apply.
- Keep old accounts open to preserve your credit history.
Some lenders offer a “rapid rescore” after you pay down balances, which can update your score in days instead of a month.
Shopping for a mortgage won’t hurt much
Several mortgage credit checks within a short window, typically 14 to 45 days depending on the scoring model, count as a single inquiry. So compare lenders: compare mortgage offers side by side once you have Loan Estimates.
If your score is low today
An FHA loan may let you buy now, and you can refinance later once your score improves. Or give yourself a few months to raise it while you save; the homebuying timeline builds both into a plan.
Common questions
Can I buy a house with a 580 credit score?
Often yes, with an FHA loan and 3.5% down, if you meet the lender’s other requirements. Some lenders set higher minimums.
Does checking mortgage rates hurt my credit?
Mortgage credit checks within a short window, usually 14 to 45 days, count as one inquiry, so comparing several lenders has little effect.
What score gets the best mortgage rate?
For conventional loans, the best pricing usually starts around 760 to 780; each step below costs a little more.
Updated October 2026. Educational content. OfferBacked is not currently a lender and doesn’t issue pre-approvals or loans.