Mortgage
What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House?
·By Julia Kovalskiy
There's no single magic number — the credit score you need depends on the loan program, and there are options across a wide range of scores. Just as important as qualifying is that your score also shapes your interest rate. As a broker licensed in Texas and Florida, here's the honest breakdown by loan type.
Minimum credit scores by loan type
- FHA loans — among the most flexible, often down to around 580 (sometimes lower with a larger down payment). → FHA loans
- VA loans — no set VA minimum, but many lenders look for about 620. → VA loans
- Conventional loans — typically 620+, with better pricing as you climb. → Conventional loans
- Jumbo loans — usually higher, often 700+, given the loan size. → Jumbo loans
- Non-QM (bank statement, DSCR, etc.) — commonly 660+, with some programs starting near 600. → What is a bank statement loan
These are general ranges; lender overlays vary, which is exactly why having 120+ lenders helps — one lender's "no" is another's "yes."
Your score affects your rate, not just approval
Two buyers can both qualify and get very different rates. Higher scores unlock lower rates and lower (or no) mortgage insurance, which can save real money every month. Moving up a tier — say from the 660s into the 700s — can be worth the wait if you're close.
Quick ways to improve your score before buying
- Pay down credit-card balances to lower your utilization (one of the fastest levers).
- Don't open or close accounts right before applying.
- Dispute errors on your report.
- Keep every payment on time — history matters most.
- Avoid large new purchases on credit during the process.
Sometimes a rapid rescore after paying down balances can lift your score in time for a better rate — we'll know if that's worth doing.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions.
Related guides
- Pre-Qualification vs Pre-Approval vs Commitment: What's the Difference?The difference between mortgage pre-qualification, pre-approval, and a loan commitment — what each proves, which sellers trust, and when you need them. For buyers in TX & FL.
- How Much House Can You Afford? The Real MathHow to figure out how much house you can afford — DTI, PITI, down payment, and the difference between approved and comfortable. A broker's honest guide for TX & FL buyers.
- Down Payment Assistance in Texas & Florida: How It WorksHow down payment assistance (DPA) works in Texas and Florida — grants and second-lien programs, who qualifies, and how to pair DPA with FHA, conventional, or VA loans.
- Mortgage Closing Costs Explained: What to ExpectWhat mortgage closing costs are, how much to budget (typically 2–5%), what each fee covers, and how to reduce them with credits and seller concessions. For TX & FL buyers.
- The First-Time Home Buyer's Guide to Getting a Mortgage in Texas & FloridaHow much down you really need, which loan program fits, and the step-by-step path to your first home in Texas or Florida.
Explore related programs
- FHABacked by the Federal Housing Administration. Lower down payment, flexible credit guidelines, and broadly available to first-time and repeat buyers.
- ConventionalThe most widely-used residential loan in the country. Flexible on property type, competitive on overall cost, and available as low as 3% down for qualified buyers.
Let's look at where you stand
Tell me your rough credit range and goals, and I'll tell you which programs you qualify for today — and whether a small credit improvement would meaningfully lower your rate.
Written by
Julia Kovalskiy
Residential Mortgage Loan Originator · NMLS #2661068 · Licensed in Texas & Florida
I'm an Austin-based mortgage broker sponsored by C2 Financial Corporation, working with first-time and self-employed buyers across Texas and Florida. I shop 120+ lender partners to match your real situation to the loan built for it — and when you call me, you reach me.
Julia Kovalskiy is a residential mortgage loan originator (NMLS #2661068) licensed in Texas and Florida. This article is educational and is not a commitment to lend; programs, terms, and eligibility vary by lender and individual circumstances.