If you’ve ever Googled “what credit score do I need to buy a house,” you’ve probably come across a range of numbers that don’t quite line up with each other. Some sites say 620. Some say 740. Some say it depends.
They’re all kind of right, which is exactly why it’s confusing.
Here’s a straightforward breakdown of what credit scores actually mean in the mortgage world, where the real minimums are, and what to do if your score isn’t where you want it to be yet.
First, a Important Thing to Know About Your Credit Score
The score you see on Credit Karma, your bank app, or a free monitoring service is not necessarily the score your lender will use.
Mortgage lenders pull a specific version of your credit score called a FICO score, and they typically pull it from all three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — then use the middle score of the three. The scoring models used for mortgage lending are older versions of FICO that can produce different numbers than what consumer apps show.
This isn’t a trick. It’s just how the system works. But it matters, because a borrower who sees 680 on their app might be working with a different number on the lender’s end. Getting a real picture of where you stand before you start shopping is always worth doing.
What Score You Actually Need by Loan Type
Conventional Loans
Most conventional loans require a minimum score of 620, though you’ll get better interest rates as your score climbs above 700 and especially above 740. If you’re putting less than 20% down, your score also affects your private mortgage insurance rate, so a stronger score saves you money in more than one place.
FHA Loans
FHA loans are backed by the federal government and tend to have more flexibility. With a score of 580 or above, you may qualify with as little as 3.5% down. Scores between 500 and 579 may still qualify, but typically require 10% down. FHA is often a strong option for first-time buyers who are still building their credit history.
VA Loans
VA loans don’t have an official minimum score set by the Department of Veterans Affairs, but most lenders who offer them look for a score around 580 to 620. If you’re a veteran, active-duty service member, or surviving spouse, VA loans are worth a serious conversation regardless of where your score lands.
Jumbo Loans
Jumbo loans — which come into play for higher-priced properties common in parts of Sonoma County — typically require stronger credit, often 700 or above, sometimes higher. The exact threshold varies by lender and loan size.
What Actually Moves Your Score
If your score isn’t where you want it to be, the good news is that credit responds to the right moves relatively quickly in some areas. Here’s what has the most impact:
Payment history is the biggest factor — about 35% of your score. Even one missed payment can have a meaningful effect, and a consistent record of on-time payments is the single best thing you can do over time.
Credit utilization is the second biggest factor — roughly 30%. This is the ratio of your current balances to your total available credit. If you have a $10,000 credit limit and you’re carrying $8,000 in balances, that’s hurting you. Getting utilization below 30% — and ideally below 10% — can move your score noticeably within a billing cycle or two.
Length of credit history matters, which is why closing old accounts you’re not using can sometimes backfire. Keeping older accounts open, even if you rarely use them, works in your favor.
New credit inquiries have a smaller effect, but applying for several new credit cards in a short period before buying a home is not a great idea. When you’re in the months leading up to a purchase, avoid opening new accounts unless absolutely necessary.
You Probably Don’t Need to Wait as Long as You Think
One of the most common things I hear is “I want to wait until my credit is better.” And sometimes that’s the right call. But often, buyers are further along than they realize — or there are steps we can take together to get them there faster than they expected.
There’s also a strategy called rapid rescore that some lenders can use in specific situations, which can update your credit file faster than the normal reporting cycle when you’ve paid down a balance or corrected an error. It doesn’t work in every situation, but it’s a tool worth knowing about.
The point is, a low score today doesn’t necessarily mean a long wait. It means a conversation.
If you’re curious where you stand, reach out before you assume the answer is no. I’m happy to pull your credit, walk through the numbers with you, and give you an honest picture of what’s possible now versus what might make sense to work toward.
Call me at (707) 483-5860 or send me a message at amanda@yourlender-forlife.com. No pressure, no commitment — just a real conversation about where you are and where you want to go.