What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House in 2026?
Minimum scores, rate impact by tier, and how to boost your score fast before applying.
Sarah Mitchell
NMLS #123456 · Senior Mortgage Advisor
12 years helping borrowers understand how credit scores affect mortgage rates and approval odds. Helped 500+ buyers improve their scores and save thousands on their loans.
Quick Answer
The minimum credit score to buy a house depends on your loan type: FHA: 580 (500 with 10% down), Conventional: 620, VA: 580-620, USDA: 640. But the minimum gets you in the door — 760+ gets you the best rate. On a $300K loan, the difference between a 620 and 760 score is $361/month ($130,000 over 30 years). → See your rate based on your current score.
Minimum Credit Score by Loan Type (2026)
FHA Loan
MIP for life of loan if <10% down
Conventional
PMI cancellable at 20% equity
VA Loan
Veterans/active duty only. No PMI.
USDA Loan
Rural areas only. Income limits apply.
Jumbo Loan
Loan >$806,500. Stricter requirements.
How Credit Score Affects Your Mortgage Rate & Payment
Based on a $300,000 30-year conventional mortgage, Feb 2026 rates.
| Credit Score | Rating | Rate | Monthly P&I | vs. Best Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 760-850 | Excellent | 6.25% | $1,847 | $0 (baseline) |
| 740-759 | Very Good | 6.45% | $1,884 | +$37/mo |
| 720-739 | Good | 6.65% | $1,922 | +$75/mo |
| 700-719 | Good | 6.90% | $1,970 | +$123/mo |
| 680-699 | Fair | 7.15% | $2,019 | +$172/mo |
| 660-679 | Fair | 7.45% | $2,078 | +$231/mo |
| 640-659 | Poor | 7.75% | $2,138 | +$291/mo |
| 620-639 | Poor | 8.10% | $2,208 | +$361/mo |
Rates are illustrative. Actual rates vary by lender, loan size, and market conditions.
How to Boost Your Credit Score Before Buying
| Timeframe | Action | Score Impact | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24-48 hours | Dispute credit report errors | +10-50 pts | Easy |
| 30 days | Pay down credit cards below 30% utilization | +20-40 pts | Easy |
| 30 days | Become authorized user on old account | +10-30 pts | Easy |
| 30-60 days | Pay off collections (if recent) | +10-40 pts | Medium |
| 60-90 days | Request credit limit increases | +10-20 pts | Easy |
| 3-6 months | Open a secured credit card if thin file | +20-50 pts | Medium |
| 6-12 months | Maintain on-time payments consistently | +30-75 pts | Easy |
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Credit Score Myths — Busted
MYTH: You need 700+ to buy a house
FACT: FHA loans start at 580 (even 500 with 10% down). VA loans are available at 580 for veterans.
MYTH: Checking your own credit hurts your score
FACT: Soft inquiries (checking your own score) have zero impact. Only hard inquiries from lenders affect your score.
MYTH: Closing old accounts helps your score
FACT: Closing old accounts can hurt your score by reducing your average account age and available credit. Keep them open.
MYTH: You need to carry a balance to build credit
FACT: Paying your full balance every month is ideal. Carrying a balance costs you interest with no credit benefit.
MYTH: All mortgage inquiries hurt your score
FACT: Multiple mortgage inquiries within 14-45 days count as one inquiry under FICO's rate-shopping rules.
MYTH: A higher income means a higher credit score
FACT: Income is not a factor in credit score calculations. Score is based on payment history, utilization, age, mix, and inquiries.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum credit score to buy a house in 2026?
The minimum credit score depends on the loan type: FHA loans require 580 for 3.5% down (500 with 10% down). Conventional loans require 620. VA loans have no official minimum but most lenders require 580-620. USDA loans require 640. Some lenders may have higher overlays.
Can I buy a house with a 580 credit score?
Yes. With a 580 credit score you can qualify for an FHA loan with 3.5% down. VA loans are also available at 580 for eligible veterans. Conventional loans typically require 620+. Your rate will be higher than borrowers with 740+ scores, but homeownership is achievable.
How much does credit score affect mortgage rate?
Significantly. On a $300,000 30-year mortgage: a 760+ score gets ~6.25% (≈$1,847/mo), while a 620-639 score gets ~7.75% (≈$2,148/mo). That is $301/month more — $108,360 extra over 30 years — for the same loan.
How fast can I raise my credit score to buy a house?
Most borrowers can raise their score 20-50 points in 30-60 days by: paying down credit card balances below 30% utilization, disputing errors on their credit report, and becoming an authorized user on a family member's old account. Larger improvements (50-100 points) typically take 3-6 months.
What credit score do I need for the best mortgage rate?
To get the best conventional mortgage rates in 2026, you need a 760+ credit score. Scores above 760 typically qualify for the same top-tier pricing. The biggest rate improvement jumps happen at 620, 640, 660, 680, 700, 720, and 740.
Does applying for a mortgage hurt my credit score?
A mortgage application triggers a hard inquiry, which typically drops your score 5-10 points temporarily. However, multiple mortgage inquiries within a 14-45 day window are counted as a single inquiry by FICO. Shop multiple lenders within that window to minimize impact.