What Credit Score Do You Need for a Mortgage?

The credit score you need depends on the loan. In our 2026 product guide, FHA, VA, and USDA loans start at a 580 score, conventional loans require a 600 score when you put less than 20% down, and jumbo loans start at 660. There are also options for borrowers with no credit score or a recent credit event, so a low or thin credit file is not always a dead end.

A higher score generally gets you better pricing, but the minimum is only the starting line. Here is how score requirements break down and what you can do to improve yours.

Key takeaways

• FHA, VA, and USDA: minimum 580 in our product guide, with manual underwriting available down to 580.
• Conventional: minimum 600 when the loan-to-value is above 80%, and no minimum score when it is below 80%.
• Jumbo: minimum 660.
• No-FICO, second chance, and fresh start programs exist for borrowers with no score or a recent credit event.
• Higher scores usually mean better pricing and lower mortgage insurance costs.

Minimum scores by loan type

Here is a quick look at the minimums in our 2026 product guide. Every loan still depends on the whole file: income, debts, assets, and the property.

Loan type	Minimum score
FHA	580
VA	580
USDA	580
Conventional, more than 80% LTV	600
Conventional, 80% LTV or less	No minimum
Jumbo	660

FHA loans

FHA is often the go-to for buyers rebuilding credit. With a 580 score, FHA generally allows 3.5% down for eligible buyers. We can also do manual underwrites down to 580, which helps when the automated system does not approve a file but the borrower's full story supports the loan. Learn more on our FHA loans page.

VA loans

Eligible veterans, service members, and some surviving spouses can qualify for a VA loan starting at a 580 score, with manual underwriting available at 580. VA loans offer no down payment for eligible borrowers. See VA loans.

USDA loans

USDA loans are for eligible rural and suburban areas, and there are more of those around Austin than people think. Our minimum is 580, with manual underwriting allowed, and USDA offers no down payment for eligible borrowers. See USDA loans.

Conventional loans

When you put less than 20% down, meaning a loan-to-value above 80%, our minimum score for conventional is 600. When you put 20% or more down, there is no minimum score in our guide, and we also have no-FICO options. Conventional loans can go as low as 3% down for eligible buyers. See conventional loans.

Jumbo loans

For loan amounts above conforming limits, our jumbo minimum is 660, with up to 90% loan-to-value. See jumbo loans.

No score, thin credit, or a recent setback

Some borrowers do not have a traditional credit score at all. Others had a foreclosure, short sale, or bankruptcy in the recent past. Our non-QM options include:

• No-FICO options for borrowers without a traditional score.
• Recent housing event programs.
• Second chance and fresh start programs.
• No credit and work visa programs.

These usually come with different pricing and down payment requirements than conventional or government loans, but they can make buying possible sooner.

How your score affects more than approval

Meeting the minimum gets you in the door. Beyond that, your score commonly affects:

• Pricing. Better scores usually earn better pricing, especially on conventional loans.
• Mortgage insurance. On conventional loans, private mortgage insurance cost is tied closely to your score and down payment.
• Down payment flexibility. Some low-down-payment options need a stronger score.

That is why we sometimes suggest waiting a month or two to raise a score before locking, if a small improvement would make a real difference.

How to improve your credit before you buy

1. Pull your reports. You can get free credit reports from the three major bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for errors, accounts you do not recognize, and late payments reported by mistake.
2. Dispute real errors. Fixing inaccurate information is one of the fastest ways to see a change.
3. Lower your credit card balances. How much of your available credit you use is a major factor. Paying balances down, especially before the statement closes, often helps.
4. Pay everything on time. Payment history carries a lot of weight. Set up autopay for minimums.
5. Do not close old accounts. Long, well-managed accounts help your history.
6. Avoid new credit. New accounts and hard inquiries can lower your score in the short term.
7. Ask us about a rapid rescore. If you pay down a balance or fix an error during the loan process, a lender can sometimes request an updated score faster than waiting for the normal reporting cycle.

Credit myths we hear all the time

"Checking my own credit hurts my score." It does not. Checking your own reports or using a monitoring service is a soft inquiry.

"I should close cards I do not use." Closing old accounts can raise your utilization and shorten your history. It is often better to keep them open and unused.

"Paying off a collection will raise my score right away." Sometimes it helps, sometimes the effect depends on the scoring model. Talk to us before you pay old collections during the loan process, because the timing matters.

"Shopping lenders will wreck my credit." Scoring models generally treat multiple mortgage inquiries in a short window as one, so comparing offers over a few weeks usually has a limited effect.

What to avoid once you apply

After you apply, keep your credit steady. Do not finance a car, open a store card for new furniture, or co-sign for anyone. Even changes that seem small can shift your score or your debt-to-income ratio before closing.

Not sure where you stand?

The fastest way to know which loan you qualify for is a quick review. We will look at your credit, tell you which programs fit, and if needed, give you a simple plan to improve before you buy. Call 512-657-1333 or start your pre-approval. First-time buyer? Visit our first-time home buyer page.

Additional terms and conditions apply. Not all loan types are compatible with this product. Subject to underwriting conditions. Not a promise to make a loan. All borrowers must qualify. Network Funding, LP NMLS #2297. Kyle Richardson NMLS #863464. Equal Housing Lender.