What credit score do you need to buy a house?

You have many scores, and the lender picks one

The CFPB is clear that you do not have just one credit score. Each score depends on the scoring model, the data source and even the day it is calculated. Most scores range from 300 to 850.

Mortgage lenders usually pull a report that combines data from the three nationwide bureaus, so each borrower gets up to three scores. FHA has long used a simple rule: take the middle of the three scores for each borrower, or the lower of two if only two exist, and then use the lowest of those across all borrowers. HUD's Mortgagee Letter 2026-11 updates the methodology to allow alternative score models for case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2027, and keeps FHA's existing minimum thresholds unchanged. Other programs and lenders apply their own rules, so the most reliable step is to ask which score was used.

Published minimums by program

FHA. HUD's thresholds tie the minimum decision credit score to the maximum loan-to-value. At 580 or above, a borrower is eligible for maximum financing, which is where FHA's 3.5 percent minimum down payment comes from. From 500 to 579, the loan is limited to 90 percent loan-to-value, so at least 10 percent down. Below 500, the loan is not eligible. Borrowers without traditional credit can still be eligible, but must be manually underwritten.

USDA guaranteed. USDA states that the program has no credit score requirement, but that applicants are expected to demonstrate a willingness and ability to handle and manage debt.

Conventional and VA. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and VA set eligibility through their underwriting rules and systems, and lenders set the minimum scores they accept. Credit score also affects conventional pricing and private mortgage insurance, so a higher score can lower the cost even after you qualify.

Overlays: why lenders differ

A program minimum is a floor. Lenders often add stricter rules, called overlays, because they keep the risk of loans that perform poorly. That is why one lender may decline at 600 and another approve the same borrower. If you are near a threshold, ask several lenders the same question: what minimum score do you require for this loan type, at this down payment?

What moves a score

The CFPB lists the factors scoring models usually consider: bill-paying history, current unpaid debt, the number and type of accounts, account age, how much of your available credit you use, new applications, and any collections, foreclosure or bankruptcy and how long ago. For a buyer planning ahead, two levers work fastest: card balances relative to limits, and avoiding new credit. Payment history improves only with time, which is why a missed payment in the months before you apply is so costly.

A 90-day plan if you fall short

Month one. Get all three reports free from AnnualCreditReport.com, the official site. Dispute any errors with both the bureau and the company that reported the information. Set every bill to autopay at least the minimum.

Month two. Pay down revolving balances, starting with cards closest to their limits. Pay before the statement date, since that balance is often what gets reported. Do not close old cards; account age and available credit help.

Month three. Ask a lender for a fresh pull, or ask whether a rapid rescore is possible after verified corrections. Compare where you are with the minimums for the programs that fit you.

The other side of the file

A score is only one part of underwriting. Lenders also look at income stability, debt-to-income ratios, savings left after closing and the property. A borrower slightly below a lender's preferred score with strong reserves and a low debt ratio may still find a lender willing to approve. Use the budget file to strengthen those parts while your score improves.