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.
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 what credit score you need to buy a home
Lenders typically use these baseline scores for the major 2026 mortgage programs: : 580 minimum for a 3.5% down payment. As of late 2025, Fannie Mae and Freddie
: 640 is typically required for automated approval. Minimum Credit Scores by Loan Type Lenders typically
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