Mortgages & Financing

What credit score do I need for a mortgage?

By Steve Lockhart

The short answer

There is no single score that opens every door, but you can get your bearings quickly. Conventional loans typically want a score around 620 or better.

Full answer

There is no single score that opens every door, but you can get your bearings quickly. Conventional loans typically want a score around 620 or better. FHA programs can work with a 580 score and 3.5 percent down, and some programs allow a lower score with a larger down payment. VA does not set a minimum of its own, though many lenders apply their own standards, and USDA lenders usually look for around 640. The score matters, but it is not the whole story: lenders weigh your income, your debts, your down payment, and the history behind the number. A higher score generally means more loan options and better pricing, while a lower score usually means a plan, not a dismissal. If your credit is not ready, we pull the report early, find what is holding it down, and build a specific timeline with the lender so the fix happens while there is still time.

Go a little deeper

Frequently asked

Questions people often follow up on

How quickly can I improve my score before applying?

Some steps move a score within a month or two, like paying down a credit card balance or disputing an error on your report. Other issues take longer to heal. The honest answer depends on what is dragging you down, which is why the first step is a real look at your report and a plan built for your timeline.

Does checking my own credit hurt my score?

No. Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry, so it does not count against you. It is free, and it lets you find errors before they reach the lender, so you walk into the conversation already knowing where you stand.

I have no credit at all. Can I still get a mortgage?

Yes, but you will need to build a file. Some programs let lenders work with alternative credit, like on-time rent, utility, and insurance payments, and VA and FHA have paths for thin files. The key is to start early so the lender can document history before the search gets serious.

The Lockhart Method

Your Home | My Strategy | Proven Results

My strategy: pull the full credit report early and schedule the fixes that matter, a balance, a late mark, or a thin file, while there is still time. Preparation changes both the rate and the programs available to you.

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