What credit score do I need to buy a house, and can I buy with bad credit?

What's the minimum score for each loan?

Loan	Typical minimum score
FHA	580 with 3.5% down; 500 to 579 with 10% down (many lenders set their own floor, often 580 to 620)
Conventional	About 620 at most lenders
VA	No VA minimum; lenders often look for about 580 to 620
Non-QM	Varies by program

See VA credit scores and bankruptcy for veterans.

Can I buy a house with bad credit?

Often, yes, especially with FHA, which is built for buyers who are rebuilding. Lenders look at the whole picture: recent on-time payments, your debt compared with your income, your savings, and any explanation for past problems. A score in the low 600s with a year of clean payments usually beats a 680 with recent late payments.

How much does my score change the cost?

A lot on conventional loans: both the rate and the PMI are priced by score, so moving from 660 to 720 can save real money every month. FHA pricing is less sensitive to score, which is why FHA often wins for lower scores. See FHA vs. conventional.

How can I raise my score quickly?

• Pay every bill on time from today on.
• Pay credit card balances down below 30% of each limit, and lower if you can.
• Don't open new accounts or finance a car while you're buying.
• Dispute errors on your credit reports.
• Ask us about a rapid rescore once balances are paid, which can update your score in days instead of a month.

Example scenario (illustrative)

A buyer in Houston has a 598 score after a job loss two years ago, with clean payments since. Conventional pricing at that score is expensive, but they qualify for FHA with 3.5% down. We also map out a plan to raise their score and refinance into a conventional loan later.

Our take

Your score is a starting point, not a verdict. I'll pull your credit with you, tell you honestly which loans are open to you today, and show you exactly which steps would save you the most money if you wait a few months.