Credit Score Needed for First Time Home Buyer Loan 2026: Complete 500-850 Guide
DR
David Rodriguez
Refinance & Rate Specialist • 15+ Years
Published January 26, 2026 • 9 min read
What credit score do you need to buy your first home? 500-579 = FHA 10% down, 580+ = FHA 3.5% down, 620+ = Conventional 3% down, 640+ = USDA 0% down. This complete guide reveals exact requirements for every loan type, approval odds by score, and how to improve your score fast.
📊 Quick Facts (January 2026)
- ✓Minimum Score: 500 (FHA with 10% down)
- ✓Most Common: 580-619 (FHA 3.5% down)
- ✓Best Rates: 740+ (save 0.5-1% on rate)
- ✓Median Score: 716 (US average)
Credit Score Requirements by Loan Type (2026)
| Credit Score | Loan Type | Down Payment | Approval Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500-579 | FHA only | 10% required | 40-60% |
| 580-619 | FHA | 3.5% | 70-85% |
| 620-639 | Conventional | 3-5% | 75-90% |
| 640-679 | USDA, Conventional | 0-3% | 85-95% |
| 680-719 | All types | 0-3% | 90-98% |
| 720-759 | All types | 0-3% | 95-99% |
| 760+ | All types (best rates) | 0-3% | 99%+ |
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