📋 Table of Contents
Credit Score Requirements for a Mortgage
Mortgage credit score requirements vary by loan type — understanding the specific thresholds for each helps set realistic expectations before applying.
Minimum Scores by Loan Type
| Loan Type | Typical Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| Conventional | 620 |
| FHA | 500-580 (deposit-dependent) |
| VA | Varies by lender, often 580-620 |
Higher Scores Unlock Better Rates
Beyond just qualifying, your specific score tier within the approved range significantly affects your interest rate — even within the same loan type, a 740+ score typically secures meaningfully better terms than a 620 score.
Improving Your Score Before Applying
If you have time before applying, even modest score improvements (paying down credit card balances, correcting report errors) can translate to real rate savings over the loan's life.
Common Mistakes
Making major credit changes (new accounts, large purchases) between mortgage pre-approval and closing, which can jeopardize final loan approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
This depends on loan type — conventional loans typically require 620+, while FHA loans can accept scores as low as 500-580 depending on your down payment.
Yes significantly — even within the approved range, higher scores typically access meaningfully better rates, making score improvement worthwhile before applying if you have time.