What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House?
By John “JT” Terry, Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS #2598209 · Published and updated November 13, 2026.
There is no single credit score required for every mortgage. FHA's published rules permit maximum financing at a 580 minimum decision credit score and limit scores of 500–579 to 90% loan-to-value, which means at least 10% down; VA and USDA do not set one universal program minimum. Lender requirements and the rest of your application still matter.
Program rules are not a lender's approval promise
Loan program | Published credit-score rule | What the buyer should know |
|---|---|---|
FHA | 580 or above for maximum financing; 500–579 limited to 90% loan-to-value (at least 10% down); below 500 ineligible under the standard score rules | Standard minimum-investment rules and lender requirements also apply |
VA | VA does not set a minimum score | A lender may set its own requirement and must review creditworthiness |
USDA Guaranteed | USDA lists no program credit-score requirement | Household, property and repayment qualifications still apply |
Fannie Mae conventional, through Desktop Underwriter | No fixed minimum score for DU casefiles | DU evaluates the credit file; lender requirements still apply |
Fannie Mae conventional, manually underwritten | Generally 620 for fixed-rate loans and 640 for adjustable-rate loans, with specified exceptions | Transaction details and the Eligibility Matrix matter |
Sources: HUD score rules, VA credit underwriting handbook, USDA Guaranteed overview, and Fannie Mae's current credit-score guide.
These are agency rules checked November 13, 2026, not Success Mortgage Partners minimums or an offer to lend at every listed score. HUD's linked answer specifies its effective case-number period; recheck current guidance when applying. Fannie Mae's DU rule does not establish a rule for every conventional mortgage or Freddie Mac loan.
Why your banking-app score can differ
Credit scores depend on the model and the information being scored. Your app's number may help you monitor changes without matching the score used in a mortgage review. Ask which model your lender uses and how it evaluates multiple borrowers. Avoid assuming that every mortgage uses exactly the same score-selection process. CFPB mortgage credit-score explanation.
Before you pay off debt, identify the actual obstacle
Paying a balance can change your monthly debt obligations, available savings and credit information. Those are three different issues. Spending all your savings on a credit balance can leave you unable to cover closing expenses even if your debt payment falls.
For a purchase in Ardmore, another Oklahoma community, Texas, Kansas or Missouri, build the plan around the property budget and the complete file. Give the lender your intended location, timeline and comfortable monthly budget. Ask whether the priority is correcting inaccurate credit, reducing obligations, documenting income or preserving cash.
A practical mortgage-readiness checklist
Review your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute inaccurate information with the reporting company.
Keep existing obligations paid on time.
Discuss new borrowing, job changes or large transfers with your lender during the mortgage process.
Get an itemized estimate of cash to close before using savings to pay off debt.
Ask which requirement is an agency rule and which is the lender's own requirement.
No one can responsibly promise a specific score increase by a specific date. A mortgage-readiness conversation should produce a clear explanation of your next steps, not a guaranteed approval.
Frequently asked borrower questions
Can I buy a home with a 580 credit score?
Possibly. HUD permits maximum FHA financing at a minimum decision score of 580. That is one eligibility condition, not approval; the lender also evaluates income, debts, funds, credit history and the property.
Can I qualify at 500 to 579?
HUD limits standard FHA financing in that score band to 90% loan-to-value, which means a down payment of at least 10%. Ask whether the lender offers such financing and what other requirements apply. Do not assume that an agency-permitted scenario is a product every lender offers.
Is 620 still required for conventional financing?
It is not a fixed minimum for Fannie Mae DU casefiles. Manually underwritten Fannie Mae loans have different published score rules, and lenders may add requirements. Ask which system and guideline apply to your specific loan.
Do VA and USDA loans ignore credit?
No. The absence of a universal agency score minimum does not remove credit review or lender requirements. Payment history and the ability to repay remain important.
Should I wait for a perfect score before contacting a lender?
A preliminary conversation can help identify what actually needs attention. Ask how the review works, whether it involves a credit inquiry and which documents are needed before deciding on a purchase timeline.
Where can I speak with Cat & JT?
Cat & JT powered by Success Mortgage Partners are based in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and serve buyers in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Missouri. Call 580-226-4282 or use the contact page. Send private financial documents only through a secure channel.
General mortgage education, not credit-repair or tax advice, a promise of score improvement, or a commitment to lend. Program rules and lender requirements can change. Eligibility requires an individual review.
Talk through your purchase with Cat & JT
Cat & JT powered by Success Mortgage Partners are based in Ardmore, Oklahoma, serving Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Missouri. For a conversation about your purchase plans, contact Cat Terry, NMLS #1140038, or John “JT” Terry, NMLS #2598209, at 580-226-4282 or through the contact page. Use a secure channel for private financial records.
Powered by Success Mortgage Partners, Inc., NMLS #130562 · Equal Housing Lender · Not affiliated with any government agency. NMLS Consumer Access.
