What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House?
Your credit score determines your mortgage rate — and the difference between a good and bad score can cost you tens of thousands of dollars.
General information, not professional advice — see terms of use.
The minimum credit score depends on the mortgage type:
FHA loan: 580 with 3.5% down, or 500 with 10% down.
Conventional loan: Minimum 620, but rates improve significantly at 740+.
VA loan: No official minimum, but most lenders want 580–620.
Jumbo loan: Typically 700–720 or higher.
On a $300,000 30-year mortgage, the difference between a 620 and 760 score can mean over $80,000 in extra interest over the life of the loan.
To improve your score before applying: Pay down credit cards below 30% utilization, don't open new accounts in the 6–12 months before applying, and dispute any errors on your credit report (about 25% contain errors).
Follow-up questions
Can I buy a house with a 580 credit score?
Yes — through an FHA loan with as little as 3.5% down. However, you'll pay a higher interest rate and mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) for the life of the loan. Taking 6–12 months to push your score above 620 is worth considering.
How long does it take to improve your credit score?
Most people can improve their score by 50–100 points within 3–6 months by paying down credit card debt and making all payments on time.
Does getting pre-approved for a mortgage hurt your credit?
A pre-approval results in a hard inquiry, typically lowering your score by 2–5 points temporarily. If you apply with multiple lenders within a 14–45 day window, all inquiries count as one — so shop around freely.
More finance answers
This page is general information, not professional advice, and it may not reflect the latest rules where you live. For your own situation, talk to a qualified adviser. Spotted an error? Email per@upperia.se and we will fix it.