What’s your number? That’s not a pickup line; it’s the digits a mortgage lender will want to know — your credit score for a mortgage application. Credit scores range from 300 to 850, and for most mortgage-seekers, a good credit score to buy a house is at least 620. The lowest interest rates usually go to borrowers with scores of 740 and above whose finances are in good order, while a score as low as 500 may qualify some buyers for a home loan, but this is less common.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• A credit score of at least 620 is generally needed to buy a house, but FHA loans may accept scores as low as 500 with a higher down payment.
• Paying attention to credit scores before applying for a mortgage can lead to lower monthly payments.
• A higher credit score can save borrowers money by securing lower interest rates over the loan’s term.
• When two buyers are purchasing a home together, lenders look at both buyers’ credit scores.
• Credit scores are not the only factor; lenders also evaluate employment, income, and bank accounts.
Why Does a Credit Score Matter?
Just as you need a résumé listing your work history to interview for a job, lenders want to see your borrowing history, through credit reports, and a snapshot of your habits, expressed as a score on the credit rating scale, to help predict your ability to repay a debt.
A great credit score vs. a bad credit score can translate to money in your pocket: Even a small reduction in a homebuyer’s mortgage rate can save thousands of dollars over time.
Do I Have One Credit Score?
You have many different credit scores based on information collected by Experian, Transunion, and Equifax, the three main credit bureaus, and calculated using scoring models usually designed by FICO® or a competitor, VantageScore®.
To complicate things, there are often multiple versions of each scoring model available from its developer at any given time, but most credit scores fall within the 300 to 850 range.
Mortgage lenders historically have focused on FICO scores. Here are the categories:
• Exceptional: 800-850
• Very good: 740-799
• Good: 670-739
• Fair: 580-669
• Poor: 300-579
Here’s how FICO weighs the information:
• Payment history: 35%
• Amounts owed: 30%
• Length of credit history: 15%
• New credit: 10%
• Credit mix: 10%
Mortgage lenders will pull an applicant’s credit score from all three credit bureaus. If the scores differ, they will use the middle number when making a decision.
If you’re buying a home with a non-spouse or a marriage partner, each borrower’s credit scores will be pulled. The lender will home in on the middle score for both and use the lower of the final two scores (except for a Fannie Mae loan, when a lender will average the middle credit scores of the applicants).
Recommended: 8 Reasons Why Good Credit Is So Important
What Is the Minimum Credit Score to Buy a House?
The median FICO score for homebuyers in late 2025 was a very healthy 735, according to Realtor.com® data. Fortunately, not everyone buying a home will need a score this high to qualify for a home loan. After all, the median credit score in the U.S. is 715. (Using the median versus the average credit score necessary to buy a house helps ensure that unusual buyers with extremely high or low scores don’t throw off the calculations.) How low can you go and still buy a house? The answer hinges on your mortgage.
Credit Score Requirements by Loan Type
What credit score do you need to buy a house? The answer will depend on the type of mortgage loan you’re seeking. If you are trying to acquire a conventional mortgage loan (a loan not insured by a government agency) you’ll likely need a credit score of at least 620. The best credit score to buy a house is 740 or better, because that will help you obtain a lower interest rate. But many buyers purchase a home with a lower score.
With an FHA loan (backed by the Federal Housing Administration), 580 is the minimum credit score to qualify for the 3.5% down payment advantage. Applicants with a score as low as 500 will have to put down 10%.
Lenders like to see a minimum credit score of 620 for a VA loan, though some will go lower, to 600.
A score of at least 640 is usually required for a USDA loan, though borrowers with strong compensating factors, such as a healthy savings, might qualify at 620.
A first-time homebuyer with good credit will likely meet FHA loan requirements, but a conventional mortgage will probably save them money over time. One reason is that an FHA loan requires upfront and ongoing mortgage insurance that lasts for the life of the loan if the down payment is less than 10%.
First-time homebuyers can
prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan,
with as little as 3% down.
Questions? Call (888)-541-0398.
Steps to Improve Your Credit Score Before Buying a House
Working to build credit over time before applying for a home loan could save a borrower a lot of money in interest. A lower rate will keep monthly payments lower or even provide the ability to pay back the loan faster. Here are some ideas to try:
1. Pay all of your bills on time. “Payment history makes a bigger impact on a person’s credit score than anything else — 35%. So the most important rule of credit is this: Don’t miss payments,” says Brian Walsh, CFP® and Head of Advice & Planning at SoFi.
2. Check your credit reports. Be sure that your credit history doesn’t show a missed payment in error or include a debt that’s not yours. You can get free credit reports from the three main reporting agencies. To dispute a credit report, start by contacting the credit bureau whose report shows the error. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and respond.
3. Pay down debt. Installment loans (student loans and auto loans, for instance) affect your DTI ratio, and revolving debt (think: credit cards and lines of credit) plays a starring role in your credit utilization ratio. Credit utilization falls under FICO’s heavily weighted “amounts owed” category. A general rule of thumb is to keep your credit utilization below 30%.
4. Ask to increase the credit limit on one or all of your credit cards. This may improve your credit utilization ratio by showing that you have lots of available credit that you don’t use.
5. Don’t close credit cards once you’ve paid them off. You might want to keep them open by charging a few items to the cards every month (and paying the balance). If you have two credit cards, each has a credit limit of $5,000, and you have a $2,000 balance on each, you currently have a 40% credit utilization ratio. If you were to pay one of the two cards off and keep it open, your credit utilization would drop to 20%.
6. Add to your credit mix. An additional account may help your credit, especially if it is a kind of credit you don’t currently have. If you have only credit cards, you might consider applying for a personal loan.
How Long It Takes to See Changes in Credit Score
Working on your credit scores may take weeks or longer, but it can be done. Should you find an error in a credit report, you can expect it to take up to a month for your score to change. And if you haven’t been paying bills on time, it could take up to six months of on-time payments to see a significant change.
Other Factors Besides Credit Score That Affect Mortgage Approval
Credit scores aren’t the only factor that lenders consider when reviewing a mortgage application. They will also require information on your employment, income, debts, and bank accounts. Your down payment will be a factor as well. Putting 20% down is desirable since it often means you can avoid paying PMI, private mortgage insurance that covers the lender in case of loan default. But many homebuyers — particularly first-time buyers — put down less than 20% and simply factor PMI into their monthly budget.
Other typical conventional mortgage loan requirements a lender will consider include:
Debt-to-Income Ratio
Your debt-to-income ratio is a percentage: the total of your monthly debts (car payment, student loan payment, alimony, etc) divided by your gross monthly income. Most lenders require a DTI of 43% or lower to qualify for a conforming loan. Jumbo loans may have more strict requirements.
Employment and Income History
A mortgage lender will want to verify your employment and income and may request pay stubs and w-2 statements. Don’t be surprised if the lender also reaches out to your employer to confirm your employment. If you are self-employed, you may be asked for a profit-and-loss statement for your business and for more than a year or two of tax returns. Lenders are looking for borrowers who have a steady income source and can be relied upon to repay a large sum over a long period of time.
Available Savings and Assets
Having cash reserves or investments that you can liquidate in the event that you need to pay your mortgage bill is another factor a prospective lender will consider. So lenders will ask you for information about your accounts, including savings and 401(k) accounts. The lender is also looking to be sure that you have the resources to cover the down payment amount and closing costs related to the home purchase.
A lender facing someone with a lower credit score may increase expectations in other areas like down payment size or income requirements.
If you want to see how all these factors come together in your financial profile to determine what size loan you might be approved for, you can first prequalify for a mortgage with multiple lenders. Ultimately, you may want to seek out mortgage preapproval from at least one lender so you have a very clear picture of your home-buying budget and can move forward swiftly when you find a home you love.
Recommended: 31 Ways to Save for a House
The Takeaway
What credit score is needed to buy a house? The number depends on the lender and type of loan, but most homebuyers will want to aim for a score of 620 or better. A better credit score is not always necessary to buy a house, but it may help in securing a lower interest rate.
Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.
FAQ
What credit score is considered good for buying a house?
Generally speaking, you’ll want a credit score of 620 or better if you are looking at a conventional loan or VA loan. A USDA loan would require at least 640 from most borrowers. An FHA loan offers more lenient terms: You could qualify with a score as low as 500, though 580 will allow you to put down a low, 3.5% down payment.
Can I buy a home with a low credit score?
It is possible to get a mortgage and purchase a home with a credit score as low as 500 if you obtain an FHA loan and put down a 10% deposit. If you are looking at a different loan type, then you will likely need at least a 620 score, though if you have a healthy savings and solid income, you may be able to squeak by with a slightly lower credit score.
Do mortgage lenders use FICO or VantageScore?
Mortgage lenders have historically relied on FICO scores but now can use either FICO or VantageScore for loans delivered to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two entities that buy mortgages from lenders, thereby guaranteeing most of the mortgages in the U.S.
How can I improve my credit score before applying for a mortgage?
The most important thing you can do to help nurture your credit score before applying for a loan is to make your payments in full and on time. Other things, such as requesting credit line increases (but not spending up to the limit) or diversifying your credit mix by adding a personal loan to your credit cards, can help. So can not closing old, unused credit cards. But by far, on-time payments should be your number-one goal.
What other factors do lenders look at besides credit score?
A lender considering a mortgage application will look at your income (both the raw number and how consistent your earnings have been). Your debts, and the ratio of debts to income, will also be important, as will your savings in cash and other assets. Your down payment amount could also factor into a lender’s decision about qualifying you for a loan.
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¹FHA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by FHA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. FHA loans require an Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP), which may be financed or paid at closing, in addition to monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP). Maximum loan amounts vary by county. The minimum FHA mortgage down payment is 3.5% for those who qualify financially for a primary purchase. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency. †Veterans, Service members, and members of the National Guard or Reserve may be eligible for a loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by VA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. VA loans typically require a one-time funding fee except as may be exempted by VA guidelines. The fee may be financed or paid at closing. The amount of the fee depends on the type of loan, the total amount of the loan, and, depending on loan type, prior use of VA eligibility and down payment amount. The VA funding fee is typically non-refundable. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency. Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.
Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .
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