As of late 2025, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have moved toward more holistic risk assessments, but most individual lenders still enforce the 620 floor.
: No official government minimum score, though most lenders require 580–620 . what credit score you need to buy a home
To buy a home in 2026, the minimum credit score you need generally starts at for a low down payment, though some programs allow scores as low as 500 with a larger down payment. While a higher score isn't always required for approval, it is the primary factor in securing a lower interest rate, which can save you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Minimum Credit Scores by Loan Type As of late 2025, Fannie Mae and Freddie