The minimum credit score to buy a house depends entirely on the loan type, ranging from for certain government-backed loans to 620 for standard conventional loans.
620 is the standard industry minimum, though higher scores (740+) are needed to secure the most competitive interest rates.
“FHA is a great (and likely only) option for low down payment and credit scores Reddit · r/FirstTimeHomeBuyers
Generally requires a score of 700 to 720+ due to the higher risk of large loan amounts. Community Reviews & Expert Tips
“If you can get [your score] over 650, your terms improve dramatically.” Reddit · r/FirstTimeHomeBuyers Financial Impact of Your Score
No official government minimum, but most lenders require at least 580 to 620 .
While recent 2026 policy changes by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have technically removed "hard" minimum score requirements for conventional loans to favor a more holistic risk assessment, most private lenders still enforce an internal floor of at least . Minimum Scores by Loan Type
500 minimum. A score of 500–579 requires a 10% down payment, while a score of 580+ allows for as little as 3.5% down.
The minimum credit score to buy a house depends entirely on the loan type, ranging from for certain government-backed loans to 620 for standard conventional loans.
620 is the standard industry minimum, though higher scores (740+) are needed to secure the most competitive interest rates.
“FHA is a great (and likely only) option for low down payment and credit scores Reddit · r/FirstTimeHomeBuyers what is minimum credit score to buy house
Generally requires a score of 700 to 720+ due to the higher risk of large loan amounts. Community Reviews & Expert Tips
“If you can get [your score] over 650, your terms improve dramatically.” Reddit · r/FirstTimeHomeBuyers Financial Impact of Your Score The minimum credit score to buy a house
No official government minimum, but most lenders require at least 580 to 620 .
While recent 2026 policy changes by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have technically removed "hard" minimum score requirements for conventional loans to favor a more holistic risk assessment, most private lenders still enforce an internal floor of at least . Minimum Scores by Loan Type Community Reviews & Expert Tips “If you can
500 minimum. A score of 500–579 requires a 10% down payment, while a score of 580+ allows for as little as 3.5% down.