What credit score do you need to secure a mortgage? (2024)

FAQs

What credit score do you need to secure a mortgage? ›

The minimum credit score needed for most mortgages is typically around 620.

You'll typically need a credit score of 620 to finance a home purchase. However, some lenders may offer mortgage loans to borrowers with scores as low as 500. Whether you qualify for a specific loan type also depends on personal factors like your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), loan-to-value ratio (LTV) and income.

FHA Assumable Mortgage Requirements

Buyers wishing to assume an FHA mortgage must have a minimum credit score of 620, although buyers with scores above 580 may be eligible with additional restrictions.

670–740: Good credit – Borrowers are typically approved and offered good interest rates. 620–670: Acceptable credit – Borrowers are typically approved at higher interest rates.

Best FHA Loan For Rates With 700 to 720 Credit Score

The interest rates you could get if your credit score is 700, 710, or 720 are some of the best available. In this range, based on a $250,000.00 FHA home loan, your monthly payment would be roughly $1,100.

Your credit score typically won't affect the home loan amount you're able to receive. Instead, it will affect the interest rate of the loan. The lender will determine how much you can borrow based on a number of factors like your income, debt-to-income ratio, and more.

Your credit score has less bearing on your ability to get a mortgage than you might think. The minimum FICO score for a conventional loan is 620. The best rate comes with a score of 740 or higher.

No income limits apply if the home is located in an underserved area. Credit: Credit scores as low as 660 for purchase transactions and 680 for no cash-out refinances are considered.

To buy a house with a conventional loan, for example, you'll need at least a 620 credit score. But don't worry. Even if your credit score hovers somewhere in the 500 – 600 range, you can still secure a home loan. While every lender is different, knowing your score and how it may impact your loan application is key.

What credit score is needed to buy a $300K house? ›

What credit score is needed to buy a $300K house? The required credit score to buy a $300K house typically ranges from 580 to 720 or higher, depending on the type of loan. For an FHA loan, the minimum credit score is usually around 580.

Mortgage lenders typically want to see a score of 620 or better before approving a conventional mortgage. There are government-insured mortgages if your score is lower, and if your score is 760 or higher you'll qualify for the best interest rates.

The credit score required and other eligibility factors for buying a car vary by lender and loan terms. Still, you typically need a good credit score of 661 or higher to qualify for an auto loan. About 69% of retail vehicle financing is for borrowers with credit scores of 661 or higher, according to Experian.

On a salary of $36,000 per year, you can afford a house priced around $100,000-$110,000 with a monthly payment of just over $1,000. This assumes you have no other debts you're paying off, but also that you haven't been able to save much for a down payment.

With a 5% down payment and an interest rate of 7.158% (the average according to Mortgage Research Center's rate tracker at the time of writing), you will want to earn at least $4,544 per month – $54,528 per year – to buy a $200,000 house. This is based on an estimated monthly mortgage payment of $1,636.

Although ranges vary depending on the credit scoring model, generally credit scores from 580 to 669 are considered fair; 670 to 739 are considered good; 740 to 799 are considered very good; and 800 and up are considered excellent.

Yes, you can buy a house with a 600 credit score — but it would be less challenging if your score were higher. A 600 score will not be high enough to qualify for a conventional home loan, so look into FHA loans, which have lower requirements: 500 with a 10 percent down payment, and 580 with a 3.5 percent down payment.

There isn't a specific credit score you need for a mortgage, and that's because there isn't just one credit score. When you make an application for a mortgage or other type of credit, lenders work out a credit score for you.

You can get a mortgage with a credit score as low as 620, 580 or even 500, depending on the type of loan. Some mortgage lenders offer bad credit loans with more flexible qualifying requirements but higher costs. Others offer free credit counseling to help you improve your score before applying for a loan.