As of late 2025, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have moved toward more holistic risk assessments, but most individual lenders still enforce the 620 floor.
: No official government minimum score, though most lenders require 580–620 .
To buy a home in 2026, the minimum credit score you need generally starts at for a low down payment, though some programs allow scores as low as 500 with a larger down payment. While a higher score isn't always required for approval, it is the primary factor in securing a lower interest rate, which can save you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Minimum Credit Scores by Loan Type
: 700 to 720+ is standard for loans exceeding conforming limits (typically $806,500 in most areas for 2026). How Your Score Impacts Monthly Costs
Lenders typically use these baseline scores for the major 2026 mortgage programs: : 580 minimum for a 3.5% down payment.
Your credit score places you into "tiers" that dictate your interest rate and mortgage insurance costs. For a $300,000 loan, the difference between a fair and excellent score can be significant: Average Mortgage Rates by Credit Score - Experian
What Credit Score You Need To Buy: A Home
As of late 2025, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have moved toward more holistic risk assessments, but most individual lenders still enforce the 620 floor.
: No official government minimum score, though most lenders require 580–620 .
To buy a home in 2026, the minimum credit score you need generally starts at for a low down payment, though some programs allow scores as low as 500 with a larger down payment. While a higher score isn't always required for approval, it is the primary factor in securing a lower interest rate, which can save you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Minimum Credit Scores by Loan Type
: 700 to 720+ is standard for loans exceeding conforming limits (typically $806,500 in most areas for 2026). How Your Score Impacts Monthly Costs
Lenders typically use these baseline scores for the major 2026 mortgage programs: : 580 minimum for a 3.5% down payment.
Your credit score places you into "tiers" that dictate your interest rate and mortgage insurance costs. For a $300,000 loan, the difference between a fair and excellent score can be significant: Average Mortgage Rates by Credit Score - Experian
