What’s the minimum credit score needed to buy a house?

Quick insights

• For conventional loans you usually need a minimum credit score of 620 or higher to qualify. Exceptions occasionally apply.
• Government-backed loans may allow you to borrow with a lower credit score.
• Understanding your credit score is key to getting a favorable mortgage interest rate.

You may know that your credit score is an important consideration when taking out a new credit card or financing a car loan. But do you know how it can affect your mortgage? Let’s dive in and look at the different credit score requirements for various home loans and how your credit score affects your ability to qualify for a mortgage.

Why does your credit score matter to mortgage lenders?

Your credit score is a three-digit number ranging from 300–850, based on information from your credit report. That data may reflect how much debt you have overall, your payment consistency and other factors. Consequently, mortgage lenders use a prospective borrower’s credit score to help assess the likelihood of them paying back a loan. Note that while a credit score is an important variable when applying for a mortgage, it’s not the only detail considered.

What credit score do you need to buy a house?

The credit score necessary to buy a house varies depending on the lender and type of mortgage.

Loan type

• Minimum credit score to qualify

Conventional loans

• 620

Fannie Mae HomeReady^®

• 680–720 if paying less than 25% down and undergoing manual underwriting
• 640–680 if paying 25% or more down and undergoing manual underwritinghomeready-fannie-mae

Freddie Mac HomePossible^®

• 660–680mortgage-fact-sheet-freddie-macmortgage-fact-sheet-freddie-mac if undergoing manual underwriting

Jumbo loans

• 680 or higher

FHA loans

• 580 if paying 3.5% down
• 500 if paying 10% or more down

VA loans

• No minimum. Lenders may set their own limits.

USDA loans

• No minimum. Lenders may set their own limits.

Now that you know the credit score minimums, here’s a quick breakdown of each loan:

• Conventional loans: This is the most common type of mortgage. These loans meet the lending standards set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and have a maximum loan limit of $806,500–$1,209,750, depending on the area.federal-house-finance-agency-november-2024federal-house-finance-agency-november-2024federal-house-finance-agency-november-2024
• Fannie Mae HomeReady and FreddieMac HomePossible: These are conventional mortgages that allow borrowers to pay as little as 3% down. Both types of loans have income limits.
• Jumbo loans: These are loans that exceed the federal conforming limit. Because they allow homebuyers to borrow more, mortgage lenders tend to require higher credit scores.
• Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans: These are government-backed loans that allow homebuyers with lower credit scores to qualify. FHA one-unit loans have a borrowing limit of $524,255–$1,209,750, depending on the area.fha-mortgage-limits-november-2023fha-mortgage-limits-november-2023fha-mortgage-limits-november-2023
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans: Available to veterans of the U.S. armed forces and their surviving spouses, VA loans have no minimum credit score requirement, but loans use the entitlement available from the Veteran’s Certificate of Eligibility. However, lenders may set their own limit.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans: USDA loans are only available for homebuyers in designated rural and suburban areas. These loans don’t have a minimum credit score, but they do have income limits. Chase doesn’t offer USDA loans at this time.

Can a higher credit score get you better interest rates?

Although a higher credit score doesn’t guarantee a certain interest rate, higher credit scores can correlate with more competitive interest rates. If you don’t qualify for the interest rate you’d hoped for, you may consider improving your credit score. To do so:

• Pay down your credit card bills: When determining your score, credit reporting agencies look at your credit utilization ratio, which is the difference between your debt and available credit. The lower your balances, the better your utilization ratio and the higher your score.
• Consolidate your debt: Credit agencies weigh revolving credit, like credit cards, differently from fixed-rate loans. Consolidating your debt with a lower-interest-rate personal loan could help.
• Become an authorized user: If you have a parent or partner who has better credit, becoming an authorized user on one of their credit cards could help improve your credit score. Just keep in mind, your score could also be affected by their spending decisions.

If you don’t have time to improve your credit score before you buy your home, you could improve your credit over time and refinance for a better interest rate down the road.refinance-hl000061

How do you check your credit score for a mortgage?

You may be interested in checking your credit score before buying a house. However, this can sometimes lead to a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can have a negative impact on your score. 

With Chase Credit Journey^®, however, you can access an estimate of your credit score using a soft inquiry, which doesn’t affect your score. You can also access a copy of your credit report each year from the three major credit bureaus: Experian™, Equifax^® and TransUnion^®.

What else do you need to apply for a mortgage?

Of course, a lender is going to want to see documentation before handing you funds. While some of these documents might vary, the following are common for a mortgage application:

• Credit history: Lenders may review your full credit history in addition to your score.
• Proof of income: Typically, lenders request this in the form of pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns if you’re self-employed.
• Rental history: If you’re a first-time homebuyer, your lender may request to see your rental payment history using your bank statements, for example.
• Assets: Lenders may want to know the value of your assets, which could include your checking and savings accounts, retirement and other investment accounts, and other properties you own.
• Identification: Lenders may want to see your driver’s license, Social Security number or other proof of identification to help confirm your ability to lawfully take out a loan.
• Debt-to-income ratio: Lenders may want to see a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which shows you have more income than liabilities.
• Down payment: Lenders will also want to know how much you can put toward a down payment. While many loans allow you to pay as little as 3% down, a larger down payment can improve your odds of getting a better mortgage rate, especially if your credit scores are lower.

In summary

It’s clear your credit score is a principal factor to consider when looking for a home. Along with other financial indicators, your credit score helps determine the mortgage amount and terms. 

The minimum credit score needed to buy a house varies depending on the mortgage. Although most conventional loans require a credit score of about 620, some lenders may offer loans meant for potential borrowers with little to no credit score.

Looking for a loan that fits your credit score? Apply for a home loan today. We can help you find the right loan for your needs.

Credit score to buy a house: FAQs

What is a good credit score to buy a house?

According to Experian, the average U.S. credit score was 715 in 2024.average-credit-score-experian-january-2025average-credit-score-experian-january-2025average-credit-score-experian-january-2025average-credit-score-experian-january-2025average-credit-score-experian-january-2025average-credit-score-experian-january-2025 While it’s possible to qualify with lower credit scores, the higher your credit score, the more likely you are to qualify for a loan and favorable mortgage terms.

Does the price of the home affect the minimum credit score?

While the same credit score minimums should apply regardless of the value of your home, your lender will also need to consider your income, down payment and other assets before making a final decision.

Can I buy a house with a 580 or 600 credit score?

If your credit score is 580 or higher, you could qualify for an FHA loan. However, if you have a co-borrower, co-signer or a joint mortgage with someone with a higher credit score, it may be possible to qualify for a conventional loan.