"What credit score do I need to buy a house?" It's the question I hear most — and the honest answer is: it depends. Different loan programs have different minimums, and the right one for you depends on your full picture, not just one number.
Let's break down what each major loan type actually requires, so you know where you stand and which door is open to you.
FHA loan
Great for lower scoresThe minimum for an FHA loan is 580 to put down just 3.5%. If your score is below 580, you can still qualify — but you'll need a 10% down payment.
Here's where FHA really shines: the mortgage insurance (MIP) is the same for everyone, regardless of credit score. So if your score is on the lower side, FHA can actually be the more affordable path. The trade-off is that MIP usually stays for the life of the loan — unless you put down 10%, in which case it drops off automatically after 11 years.
Myth worth busting
A lot of buyers avoid FHA because of its "bad rep." But if you have a lower score, FHA can be the loan that gets you into your first home. Don't write it off because of something you saw online.
Conventional loan
Best with stronger creditThe minimum for a conventional loan is 620. But here's the catch most people miss: with a conventional loan, anything below 700 often means higher PMI (private mortgage insurance) — and sometimes it's high enough that it's not worth it for the buyer.
That's exactly when FHA can win, because its insurance cost doesn't punish a lower score. The stronger your credit, the more a conventional loan tends to work in your favor.
The bigger point
Meeting the minimum score doesn't automatically mean approval. Lenders run your file through an automated underwriting system (AUS), and an "approve/eligible" result also weighs factors like late payments, high credit-card usage, and collection accounts — not just your score.
VA loan
For eligible veterans & service membersThe VA itself sets no minimum credit score. Instead, each bank or lender sets its own requirement — and some will go as low as 500. If you're a veteran or active service member, this is one of the most flexible and powerful loans available.
varies
Non-QM loans
Flexible, program-by-programIf we go the non-QM (non-qualified mortgage) route, the credit score requirement varies by program. The general rule: the lower your credit, the larger the down payment you'll need. These programs exist for situations that don't fit the standard box — and they can be a real solution when used the right way.
So… what score do you actually need?
The real answer isn't a single number — it's a conversation. The "right" score depends on which loan fits your situation, and the right loan depends on your score, your down payment, and the rest of your financial picture working together.
That's the whole point of sitting down with someone before you start: instead of guessing at a number from a TikTok, we look at your actual file and find the door that's already open to you. Sometimes it's a door buyers didn't even know existed.
Not sure which loan fits your score?
Let's pull your credit with a no-impact soft check and map out exactly which loan — and which down payment — makes the most sense for you.