What credit score do you need to buy a house?
Reviewed August 2026
There's a minimum score to qualify, but the bigger story is that your score sets your interest rate — the single biggest long-term cost of the whole purchase.
Minimum scores by loan type
Rough qualifying floors:
- Conventional: typically 620+.
- FHA: 580+ for 3.5% down, or 500–579 with 10% down.
- VA and USDA: no set federal minimum, but most lenders want ~580–640.
Why the rate matters more than the minimum
Qualifying is a floor; pricing is the real game. Better scores earn lower rates, and over a 30-year loan even a fraction of a percent compounds into tens of thousands of dollars. Moving from 'fair' to 'good' credit before you apply can be worth more than any single closing-cost negotiation.
Quick ways to help your score before applying
- Pull your credit and dispute errors early.
- Pay down revolving balances to lower your credit utilization.
- Don't open new accounts or finance a car right before applying.
- Keep old accounts open — length of history helps.
Frequently asked
Can I buy a house with a 600 credit score?
Often yes — an FHA loan allows 580+, and some lenders work with 600 on other programs — but expect a higher interest rate. Raising your score before applying usually saves more than it costs to wait.