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In many cases, the credit score you see as a consumer—possibly through your bank or credit card company—is different from what a potential mortgage lender would see. The more likely you are to pay your bills on time, based on your credit history, the lower your interest rate may be. With a less-than-stellar credit score, however, you may end up paying more.
What credit scores do you need to buy a house?
For government-backed loans, you can apply with a credit score as low as 500. Remember, your credit score takes a small ding if the lender does a hard inquiry during the mortgage preapproval process. Once your score meets your goal, contact mortgage lenders in your area to see which loan options and interest rates you can get.
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This duration is necessary for the credit bureaus to have sufficient data to calculate a reliable score. However, your lender may charge a higher interest rate, and the underwriting process may be more involved. If you’re trying to buy a home with a low credit score, making a larger down payment or recruiting a co-borrower can help. Before applying for a mortgage, you may want to work on your credit scores to help improve your chances of being approved or to better the loan terms you may be offered.
Take the first step toward the right mortgage.
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Pre-qualification will give you a rough estimate of what you might be able to borrow from a lender, which can help you see what you can realistically afford. This typically involves hiring a real estate agent to assist you through the homebuying process. They’ll provide you with listings in your area and accompany you to open-house appointments. Once you find a home you like, they’ll also help you craft an offer and understand the necessary paperwork. About 90% of lenders use FICO when assessing your credit on a mortgage application.

However, the final decision on what works as a qualifying credit score will rest with the lender. Some lenders will let you buy a home with a 620 credit score, and others may require a higher minimum credit score. Your credit score will also impact the costs of your loan, because your credit score represents your level of risk to a mortgage lender. A higher score means that you pay your bills on time and can be expected to repay your mortgage just the same. Your credit score is one of the most significant factors behind the mortgage rates you’re offered.
You will also have to provide proof of citizenship and employment history. USDA refinancing differs from other financial products because you must demonstrate that your income does not exceed 115% of the median household income in your area. Many factors are used to calculate your credit score, including your payment history, the amounts you owe, your credit mix and how often you've recently opened a new line of credit. It's understandable that older generations tend to have higher scores since they've had a longer time to establish and maintain their credit. Traditionally, lenders have used the lowest credit score on the application to determine eligibility. In other words, if one person’s credit score is high enough to qualify and the other’s isn’t, the application is denied.
Credit Score Minimums by Loan Type
Many lenders require a credit score of 640 or higher for initial approval. However, depending on the situation, you may be approved with a lower credit score. A VA home loan, insured by the Department of Veterans Affairs, may assist your homeowning aspirations.

What credit score do mortgage lenders use?
Though you may be eager to buy your first home, the best option is often to wait until you can improve your credit score. Not only will a better credit score make it easier to qualify for your loan, but it will also reduce the overall cost of your loan, as a result of a lower interest rate. Finally, if you’re considering using a co-signer for your mortgage, only do so if you’re certain you’ll be able to repay the loan. If you have late or missed payments—or worse, default on your loan—you’ll negatively impact your co-signer’s credit as well as your own. The lender will still use the lower credit score for setting the interest rate.
Your minimum credit score may vary depending on your down payment and other factors. With a credit score of 620 or higher, you’re eligible for most types of mortgages. However, mortgage lenders consider more than just your credit score. They evaluate your credit report, your overall debts, and the size of your down payment.
You should also pull your credit report and check for any inaccuracies you might see. If you find any, file a dispute with the reporting credit bureau, and include the appropriate documentation. Review the reports and identify negative items impacting your credit health, so you know what to focus on first. Also, dispute any errors you find with the credit bureaus and creditors to have them rectified.
Rocket Homes Real Estate LLC is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities. We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our web experience for everyone, and we welcome feedback and accommodation requests. If you wish to report an issue or seek an accommodation, please contact us at Seller concessions in a mortgage are incentives the seller uses to entice the buyer, like paying a portion of closing costs.
They usually require a 620 credit score, though some lenders will consider applicants with scores as low as 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. You should resist the urge to apply for more credit cards as you try to build your credit score. Paying down your credit card balances also improves your credit utilization ratio, or the amount of money you spend compared to your total credit limit.
If your lender increases your limit to $6,000, it would lower your credit utilization to around 16%. "The best way to improve your credit score in both the long and short run is to pay down your loan balances," Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree, tells CNBC Make It. "That can obviously be easier said than done, but it should always be the goal." Rocket Mortgage, the largest mortgage lender in the United States, is another option to consider if you want an online home loan experience. Not only did the lender earn a spot on Newseek Vault’s best mortgage lenders of 2024 list, but it also ranked second in J.D.
We don't own or control the products, services or content found there. Additionally, your assets, including savings, investments, and other properties, are considered. These assets can serve as security for the loan and indicate your ability to manage financial responsibilities effectively. Whether you get approved for the loan—and the terms of your loan—will depend on the result of those reports.
To help you in the decision-making process, our expert contributors compare common preferences and potential pain points, such as affordability, accessibility, and credibility. Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rates and program terms are subject to change without notice. Your credit score reflects, in a single number, your reliability as a borrower.
So in general, the higher your credit score, the better your rate will be. Most importantly, you'll want to pay your bills on time each and every month. Your payment history is the factor that has the biggest influence on your credit score. Building a consistent history of on-time payments will always be a surefire way to improve your score. If you find errors on any of your reports, you may dispute them with the credit bureau as well as with the lender or credit card company. When it comes to your credit score, your bank or credit card issuer may provide your score for free.
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