The credit score you need to buy a house depends on the type of loan. FHA sets clear score tiers starting at 500, while Fannie Mae, VA and USDA do not set a fixed minimum for most loans and leave it to the lender.
In practice, many lenders set their own minimums on top of the program rules. The only way to know the number for your loan is to ask your lender.
Minimums at a glance
These are the official program rules as published by each agency. They are the floor, not a promise of approval.
| Loan type | Official credit score rule |
|---|---|
| Conventional (Fannie Mae), Desktop Underwriter | No minimum credit score for DU casefiles created on or after Nov 16, 2025 |
| Conventional (Fannie Mae), manual underwriting | 620 for fixed-rate loans, 640 for ARMs |
| Conventional (Freddie Mac) | Ask your lender |
| FHA | 580 or higher: maximum financing. 500 to 579: limited to 90% loan-to-value. Below 500: not eligible |
| VA | No VA minimum. The lender may set one |
| USDA Guaranteed | No specific minimum. Lenders may set their own |
Conventional loans (Fannie Mae)
Fannie Mae's automated underwriting system is called Desktop Underwriter (DU). For DU casefiles created on or after November 16, 2025, Fannie Mae has no minimum credit score.
Loans that are underwritten by hand still have minimums in the Selling Guide: 620 for fixed-rate loans and 640 for adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).
For loans sold to Freddie Mac, ask your lender what minimum applies.
FHA loans
FHA uses a decision score and sets three tiers in Mortgagee Letter 10-29.
- 580 or higher: eligible for maximum financing.
- 500 to 579: limited to 90 percent loan-to-value. That means the loan can be at most 90 percent of the home's value.
- Below 500: not eligible for FHA financing.
These are FHA's rules. Many lenders set their own minimums above them, so ask your lender.
VA and USDA loans
VA: VA does not require a minimum credit score, but the lender may set a limit, per the VA Home Loan Toolkit. VA loans typically require no down payment.
USDA Guaranteed: USDA has no specific minimum credit score, and lenders may set their own, per USDA Rural Development. There is no down payment, with 100 percent financing. Your household income must be within the limit, which is 115 percent of median income.
One USDA rule does name a score. If your debt ratios are over the limit and you need a waiver, all applicants need a validated credit score of 680 or greater.
Which of your scores gets compared
Lenders usually pull all three bureaus. When a borrower has three scores, Fannie Mae has the lender use the middle one. With two scores, it uses the lower one. When more than one person is on the loan, it uses the lowest score in the group (Fannie Mae B3-5.1-02).
So the number to compare against a minimum is your middle score, not your best score. If you apply with someone, it may be their score that counts.
Why lenders ask for more
The program rules above are what the agencies allow. Many lenders set their own minimums, and they can be higher. Two lenders can give you different answers on the same loan type.
Before you apply, ask each lender three questions: what minimum score it requires for your loan type, which score model it uses, and how it picks the score when you have three.
Common questions
What is the lowest credit score for an FHA loan?
Under FHA's rules, a decision score of 500 to 579 is eligible but limited to 90 percent loan-to-value. Below 500 is not eligible. Many lenders set higher minimums.
Does Fannie Mae still require a 620 credit score?
Not for Desktop Underwriter casefiles created on or after November 16, 2025. For manually underwritten loans, the minimum is 620 for fixed-rate loans and 640 for ARMs.
Is there a minimum credit score for a VA loan?
VA does not require one, but the lender may set its own limit. Ask your lender.
What credit score do I need for a USDA loan?
USDA has no specific minimum, and lenders may set their own. A validated score of 680 or greater is required for all applicants if you need a debt-ratio waiver.
Which score will the lender compare to its minimum?
Usually your middle score from the three bureaus. With two scores, the lower one. With more than one borrower, generally the lowest score in the group.
See the scores a lender will see
All three bureaus, each score labeled by model, and the middle score up front.
Get my scoresSources
- Fannie Mae: DU minimum credit score update
- Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-5.1-01: General Requirements for Credit Scores
- HUD Mortgagee Letter 10-29
- VA Home Loan Toolkit quick reference
- USDA Rural Development: Guaranteed Loan Program 101 (Jan 2026)
- Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-5.1-02: Determining the Credit Score for a Mortgage Loan
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules can change; check the linked sources and ask your lender about your situation.
