What Credit Score Do You Need to Get a Mortgage in 2026?
The minimum credit score for a mortgage in 2026 depends on the loan program. VA loans have no official VA minimum, though most lenders set their own floor of 580 to 620. FHA loans require 580 for a 3.5% down payment. Conventional loans generally require 620 or higher. Jumbo loans typically require 700 or more. A November 2025 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac update removed the mandatory score floor for conventional loans, but most lenders still apply their own minimum of 620.
Key facts
- VA minimum
- No official VA minimum
- FHA minimum
- 580 (3.5% down)
- Conventional minimum
- 620 typical
- Jumbo minimum
- 700 to 740
| Program | Minimum Credit Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| VA | No official minimum | Lender overlays commonly 580 to 620 |
| FHA | 580 (3.5% down) / 500 (10% down) | Per HUD guidelines |
| USDA | 640 typical | No published USDA minimum |
| Conventional | 620 typical | Fannie/Freddie removed mandatory floor Nov 2025 |
| Jumbo | 700 to 740 | Varies by lender and loan size |
| DSCR | 620 to 660 | Property cash flow is primary qualifier |
| Bank Statement | 620 to 640 | Deposit history primary qualifier |
Minimum Credit Score by Mortgage Program
Each loan program sets its own credit standard, then individual lenders layer additional requirements (called overlays) on top. The published minimum is the floor for the program, but the lender minimum is what actually decides your application.
VA is the most flexible (no published minimum), FHA is the most accessible (580 with low down), and conventional sits in the middle (typically 620). Jumbo and certain non-QM programs require the highest scores because they carry higher loan amounts or alternative documentation.
What Changed in 2026: The Fannie/Freddie Update
In November 2025, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac removed the mandatory minimum credit score for conventional loans they purchase. The change shifted the qualifying decision back to automated underwriting based on the full risk profile rather than a single score cutoff.
In practice, most lenders kept their own 620 floor as an overlay. A handful expanded access modestly, particularly for borrowers with strong compensating factors (large down payment, high reserves, low DTI). Ask each lender directly: the new policy did not automatically make conventional loans available to sub-620 borrowers everywhere.
How Your Credit Score Affects Your Interest Rate
On conventional loans, pricing tiers typically step at 620, 640, 660, 680, 700, 720, 740, and 760+. Each tier change can move the rate by 0.125 to 0.5 percentage points, depending on the loan-to-value and market conditions.
On a $400,000 30-year fixed loan, the difference between a 660 score and a 760 score can be more than $100/month in payment. Over the life of the loan, improving your score before applying is one of the highest-return uses of your time.
What If Your Credit Score Is Below the Minimum?
A score below program minimum is information, not a final answer. The most common paths are: switch programs (a 580 score that fails conventional often qualifies for FHA), add a co-borrower with stronger credit, or pause and execute a targeted credit improvement plan over the next 60 to 90 days.
Get the lender's Adverse Action Notice in writing. It identifies the specific score and the specific cutoff. That number is what you need to beat.
How to Improve Your Credit Score Before Applying
Score improvement comes from a small number of high-impact actions. Doing all six below in the 60 to 90 days before applying can move most borrowers up a tier or two.
How Long Does It Take to Improve Your Score?
Paying down credit card balances below 30% (ideally below 10%) utilization is the fastest lever. Most borrowers see the improvement at the next statement cycle, typically within 30 to 45 days.
Disputing errors can move a score in 30 to 60 days once the bureau resolves the dispute. Rapid rescore, which lenders can sometimes order after you pay down balances, can update a score in 3 to 5 business days. Building positive payment history on existing accounts is slower but durable: meaningful improvement typically shows in 3 to 6 months.
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Frequently asked
What is the minimum credit score for a mortgage?
VA has no official minimum (most lenders apply 580 to 620). FHA requires 580 for 3.5% down or 500 for 10% down. Conventional typically requires 620, USDA 640, and jumbo 700 to 740. Each lender adds its own overlays on top of these minimums.
Can I get a mortgage with a 580 credit score?
Yes, on FHA with 3.5% down. Many VA lenders also approve at 580. Conventional loans generally require 620 or higher, though Fannie/Freddie removed the mandatory floor in November 2025 and a small number of lenders now consider sub-620 with strong compensating factors.
How quickly can I improve my credit score to buy a house?
Paying down credit card balances below 30% utilization can lift a score within 30 to 45 days at the next reporting cycle. Disputing errors takes 30 to 60 days. Rapid rescore after paying down balances can update a score in 3 to 5 business days. Sustained payment-history improvement takes 3 to 6 months.
Does applying for a mortgage hurt my credit score?
A mortgage pre-approval requires a hard credit pull, which typically drops your score by 5 points or fewer for a few months. Shopping multiple lenders inside a 14-day window counts as a single inquiry under FICO and VantageScore models, so shopping rates does not stack damage.
What credit score do I need for a VA loan?
The VA does not publish a minimum credit score. Most VA-approved lenders apply their own floor of 580 to 620. A few lenders go lower with strong compensating factors. Higher scores qualify for better rates within the same VA program.
Credit score minimums are typical industry standards and individual lender requirements vary. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac policy changes in November 2025 do not guarantee approval below previously published floors. Not a commitment to lend. Encompass Lending Group, LP NMLS #292897. Equal Housing Opportunity.
