The short answer is that there is no single magic number. Each loan program has its own credit score floor, and the lender you choose can set a higher bar than the program allows. A score that gets you approved for one loan might cost you a higher interest rate on another. Treat every minimum you hear as a starting line, not a finish line. Your goal is not just to qualify. It is to qualify for terms you can live with for years. The difference between a minimum score and a great score can be thousands of dollars over time.
For a conventional loan, the common minimum is 620. That is the score many lenders want to see before they will consider a standard loan that is not backed by the government. Some first-time buyer programs allow as little as 3 percent down, but the credit score still matters. A 620 may get your foot in the door, yet the best rates usually go to buyers with scores in the mid-700s or higher. If your score is close to 620, expect the lender to look harder at your savings, your job history, and how much of your monthly income goes toward debt. A higher down payment can help, but it does not erase a weak credit history.
FHA loans are popular with first-time buyers because they are more forgiving. The minimum score is often 580 if you put down 3.5 percent. If your score is between 500 and 579, you may still qualify with 10 percent down, though fewer lenders offer that path. Below 500, most FHA lenders will not say yes. FHA loans also allow sellers to help with closing costs and have looser rules on past credit problems, but they come with mortgage insurance that adds to your monthly payment. A 580 score is useful, but it is not a free pass. Lenders still check your income, debts, and payment history.
VA loans are for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses. The VA itself does not set a minimum credit score, which surprises many people. In practice, lenders set their own minimums, often around 620 or 640, and some will go lower. VA loans usually require no down payment and offer competitive rates, but the lender still has to believe you can repay the loan. A low score with strong savings and steady income can sometimes work, but you should ask several VA lenders because their rules vary.
USDA loans are for eligible rural and small-town areas. The USDA does not have one simple nationwide score cutoff that fits every case, and lenders often look for scores around 620 to 640. Buyers with lower scores may be considered through a more manual review, but that takes more paperwork and patience. USDA loans can allow zero down, so they are attractive for buyers with limited savings. The catch is that the property must be in an eligible area and your household income must fall within program limits.
Jumbo loans are larger loans that do not fit standard loan limits. There is no government minimum score here, and lenders can be picky. Many jumbo lenders want scores of 700 or higher, and some want 720 or more. They also expect larger cash reserves and a bigger down payment. If you are buying in a high-cost market, a strong credit score is one of your best tools for keeping the rate reasonable.
Credit score minimums are only one part of the approval puzzle. Lenders also care about your debt-to-income ratio, your down payment, your savings, and whether your income is stable. A buyer with a 640 score and six months of reserves may look better than a buyer with a 700 score and no savings. Before you shop, pull your credit reports, fix errors, pay down credit card balances, and avoid opening new accounts. Ask lenders to explain the score they need for the best pricing, not just the score they need to approve you. That is how you avoid a bad loan and build a plan you can afford. A small score improvement can save real money over the life of the loan. So know the floor, then aim higher.
