What credit score do you need to buy a house?

When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will pull your credit report to review your history of paying your bills on time and managing credit. Depending on the type of loan you're applying for, they may also look at your credit score.

What credit score is needed to buy a house? It depends.

Until recently, a minimum credit score of 620 was required to get a conforming conventional loan. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored enterprises that purchase conforming loans from lenders, eliminated this requirement in November 2025.

While in many cases there's no minimum credit score for a mortgage, credit is still one of the factors lenders review to satisfy the federal Ability-to-Repay rule. A borrower with a higher credit score is more likely to get loan approval and lower interest rates on a loan.

Also, lenders can set their own minimum credit score requirements.

What’s the minimum credit score to buy a house?

Different types of mortgages have different requirements for the credit score to buy a house. The borrower's credit score is just one of the qualifications considered. Beyond minimum requirements, lender standards vary significantly.

^\*Rocket Mortgage accepts a credit score of 580 on FHA loans with 3.5% down.

** Rocket Mortgage doesn’t offer USDA loans at this time.

Why your credit score matters when buying a house

Lenders view your credit as a primary measure of the likelihood that you’ll be able to pay back your loan. Your credit score reflects your history of loan repayment and how you manage your finances.

Your credit score is based on formulas and information typically gathered from one of the three major credit bureaus: Experian™, Equifax^®, and TransUnion^®. The range is 300–850, with higher scores indicating better performance.

Because these three bureaus have different formulas and often have different information, the score from each bureau is likely to differ. When a minimum qualifying score exists, lenders choose which credit score to use and often go with the median score.

In addition to being used to determine what programs you might qualify for, along with your down payment and home occupancy, your credit score is a primary factor in the interest rate you receive.

Major factors affecting your credit score

None of the credit bureaus makes their exact formulas public, but there is information on how various attributes are weighted in the credit calculation:

• Payment history (35%): This looks at how often you make at least the minimum payment on loans and credit accounts on time.
• Amounts owed (30%): What are the balances on installment loans and revolving credit accounts?
• Length of credit history (15%): This is based on the age of the oldest account on your credit report.
• New credit (10%): How many recent inquiries or new accounts show up on your credit report?
• Credit mix (10%): How much of your existing credit is based on installment loans like mortgages or auto payments, and how much is from revolving lines like credit cards?

What’s a good credit score?

Lenders group credit scores into ranges. Here’s how you can begin to think about your score:

• Poor: 300 – 579
• Fair: 580 – 669
• Good: 670 – 739
• Very Good: 740 – 799
• Exceptional: 800 – 850

How to increase your credit score before buying a house

If you fall on the lower end of the spectrum right now, the good news is that nothing is a permanent black mark. There are habits you can maintain to improve your credit score over time.

1. Pay your bills on time

The most important aspect of your credit is your payment history. Lenders want to feel confident that you’ll make your monthly loan payments. Each time you make a payment, it can help build your credit.²

2. Pay off outstanding debts

The amount that you owe, both in total and as compared to your current credit limits, affects your credit score.

Your credit utilization ratio is the percentage of your revolving credit limits, such as credit cards, that you are currently using. If you have $2,500 of credit card debt and a total credit limit of $10,000, for example, your utilization rate is $ 2,500/$10,000 = 25%.

Credit utilization is often paid particular attention to because clients tend to have more control over it than they do with existing installment payments, such as car loans and student loans. Experts recommend keeping your revolving balances at no more than 30% of your overall credit limit.

3. Limit new inquiries

Each time you apply for a loan, lenders will check your credit report. The credit bureaus note this on your credit history as a hard pull on your credit. Each hard pull on your report reduces your score by a few points.

There's a shopping exemption, allowing you to compare offers between mortgage lenders or auto dealers by applying to compare terms. Inquiries in the same category will only count as one inquiry if they are made within a 45-day window.

4. Don’t close old accounts

You may want to close accounts you’re no longer using, especially if they charge an annual fee. While it can be done, there is a downside to this. Lenders look at both the age of your oldest account and the average age of your accounts when thinking about the length of your credit history. Closing the wrong account could lower your score.

5. Check your credit report for errors

The credit bureaus collect information on your interactions with credit from lenders and store that information on your credit report. However, sometimes mistakes can happen, and a credit bureau will put incorrect information on your report.

In other cases, someone could be applying for loans in your name fraudulently, causing negative information to appear on your report. In this case, there are steps you can take following an identity theft. You can also file disputes with the reporting credit bureau to have the information corrected.

Regularly review your credit report. Despite the site name, AnnualCreditReport.com allows you to view your reports from each bureau once a week. Rocket Money^® allows you to see your credit report as well as your score at least once a month.³

Qualification factors that lenders consider

When considering someone for a mortgage, lenders take a variety of inputs. Fannie Mae has a list of factors publicly taken into account when decisions are made through the company's automated system.

There are also other attributes lenders consider when qualifying you. While not every loan follows Fannie Mae guidelines, understanding these risk factors helps provide a baseline understanding of what lenders may consider.

Credit qualification factors

First, let’s get into direct credit factors that not only show up in your score, but also may impact your mortgage qualification:

• Credit history. Your credit history is largely determined by the length of the history itself. When examining your overall credit profile, the longer the history, the more confidence a lender can have that you will continue to exhibit good credit behavior.
• Delinquent accounts. Late payments reporting on your credit can make it more difficult to qualify. These generally appear when you're 30 days or more overdue on the payment.
• Installment loans. Mortgage lenders prefer to see that you've handled installment loans, such as those for a car or a student loan, effectively in the past.
• Revolving credit utilization. Unlike installment loans, the usage percentage fluctuates monthly. Paying the balance off or maintaining low amounts of rollover shows lenders that you can responsibly handle credit.
• Public records, foreclosures, and collection accounts. Accounts that have been sent to collections or public record items, such as bankruptcies or liens, are among the biggest red flags for lenders. You may need to show that you have resolved these or undergo a waiting period in some cases.
• Inquiries. These are new credit applications. It's important to note that of all the factors, the impact of these is the most temporary and the smallest. Your credit score will bounce back up if you maintain good habits.

Other factors lenders may look at

Although your credit score is a big deal, you shouldn’t focus on it to the exclusion of other factors. Here are other mortgage qualification considerations:

• Down payment or equity amount. Generally speaking, the higher your down payment or home equity amount, the lower your interest rate will be.
• Rent payment history. If you can show you've paid your rent on time, it suggests you can manage a mortgage payment.
• Reserves. Reserves refer to the number of months you’d be able to make your mortgage payment if you had a temporary loss of income. If you have a higher amount of savings, lenders may look on this favorably.
• Loan purpose. The reason you’re getting a loan factors into the risk involved. Buying a home is considered less risky than taking cash out because taking cash out means taking a loan higher than your existing balance.
• Loan term. Loans with shorter terms are considered less risky by lenders than those with longer terms because the equity buildup occurs faster with a shorter term.
• Loan amortization. The way loans are paid off matters when judging risk level. Fixed-rate loans are considered a more reliable option than adjustable-rate ones.
• Occupancy. It’s easier to qualify for homes you’ll be using as your primary residence than vacation homes or investment properties because you have the most motivation to make the payment when you need to make tough financial choices.
• Housing expense ratio. The smaller the proportion of your budget that goes toward your mortgage payment, the better it is in the eyes of lenders. It means you will be better able to handle the payment in times of distress.
• DTI ratio. This is comprised of everything that’s in your housing expense ratio, plus all your other installment loan payments, and the minimum payment on your revolving balances. Again, the lower the better.
• Property type. Single-unit properties are often considered the least risky, followed by condos, co-ops, multiunit properties, and manufactured homes.
• First-time home buyer. Being a first-time home buyer is seen as a mitigating factor when assessing the risk of those with shorter credit histories or fewer existing loans, for example.
• Cash flow. In certain circumstances, the lender may consider your cash flow when assessing your risk. Reviewing bank statements and other sources can help the lender ensure that you’ve handled your obligations well in the past.

FAQ

Now that we've covered the basics, let's address some of the questions you may still have.

What’s changed in credit qualification for conventional mortgages?

As of November 16, 2025, there is no minimum credit score for conforming conventional mortgages. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored enterprises that buy conforming loans from lenders, are taking into account a number of factors, including traditional credit history metrics.

Does my credit score still matter?

Yes. Lenders can set their own minimum qualification standards. Additionally, the higher your score, the better your interest rate is likely to be, assuming all other factors remain equal. Finally, FHA still has a minimum qualifying score of 500 with 10% down or 580 with 3.5% down.

Who benefits from these credit score policy changes?

The credit score formulas tend to reward those with longer credit histories, which means you could be at a distinct disadvantage if you’re a first-time home buyer. Perhaps you've had a few blemishes on your credit, but you’re well-qualified based on having a higher down payment or more financial reserves available to you. This picture is more holistic.

The bottom line: Credit is important, but not everything

Most of the time, there is no specific minimum credit score. The one exception is the FHA, which has a minimum score of 580 or 500 with a 10% down payment. That’s not to say credit isn’t important. Lenders may set their own mortgage approval requirements, which can have a significant impact on your interest rate.

If you're looking to improve your score before applying, paying down debts and making on-time payments are huge. Also, check your reports for errors. If your credit isn't quite where you want it, you can make up for some of this with a bigger down payment or more reserves, along with an exemplary mortgage or rent history.

Ready to get started? You can apply online.

To qualify for this offer, you must meet all standard FHA eligibility requirements. In addition, your total mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, cannot exceed 38% of your income, your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio cannot exceed 45%, and you must have 12 months of verifiable housing history immediately prior to your application, no late payments 30 days or greater in the last 12-months, and no derogatory marks on your credit report. Not available on jumbo loans. Asset statements may be needed, no more than 1 day of non-sufficient fund fees are allowed in the most recent 2 months prior to application. Additional restrictions/conditions may apply.

¹Rocket Mortgage is a VA-approved lender, not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.

²This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, investment, or tax advice. You should consult a qualified financial or tax professional before making decisions regarding your retirement funds or mortgage.

³Rocket Mortgage, LLC, Rocket Homes Real Estate LLC, Rocket Card, LLC, RockLoans Marketplace LLC (doing business as Rocket Loans), and Rocket Money, Inc., are separate operating subsidiaries of Rocket Limited Partnership. Redfin Corporation is an affiliated business of Rocket Limited Partnership. Each company is a separate legal entity operated and managed through its own management and governance structure. Rocket Limited Partnership is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE: RKT).