Buying a Home with Less-Than-Perfect Credit: What You Should Know

Think you need perfect credit to buy a home? You’re not alone. According to Fannie Mae, 90% of buyers either overestimate the minimum credit score needed or don’t know what lenders actually require.

That means a lot of people assume they can’t qualify – when they actually can. If you’ve been holding off on buying because you think your credit isn’t good enough, the truth might surprise you.

There’s No One Magic Credit Score

There isn’t a universal credit score you must have to buy a home. Each lender and loan program has its own requirements.

Check out the median scores recent buyers had for different loan types:

• FHA Loans – Designed for first-time buyers, often with scores in the mid-600s.

• VA Loans – Available to eligible Veterans, often in the low-to-mid 600s.

• Conventional Loans – Typically higher scores in the high 600s to 700s.

The bottom line? There’s more flexibility than most buyers realize. A trusted lender can help you understand your options and see what loan programs you may qualify for.

Why Your Credit Score Still Matters

Your credit score helps lenders decide if you’re a responsible borrower. It impacts:
✅ The type of loan you can qualify for
✅ The interest rate you’ll get
✅ The size of your monthly mortgage payment

Higher scores often mean better terms and lower rates, which can save you thousands over the life of your loan. But even if your score isn’t where you’d like it to be, you may still have a path to homeownership.

How To Improve Your Credit Before Buying a Home

If you’d like to boost your score (and potentially qualify for better terms), here are a few tips from the Federal Reserve:

🔹 Pay Bills on Time: Lenders want to see consistent, on-time payments – even for things like utilities and cell phone bills.
🔹 Lower Your Debt: Try to use less of your available credit. Keeping your balances low shows lenders you’re financially responsible.
🔹 Check Your Credit Report: Review your report for errors. Dispute any mistakes you find – fixing them can quickly raise your score.
🔹 Avoid Opening New Accounts: New credit applications can temporarily lower your score.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need perfect credit to buy a home. Many buyers qualify with lower scores than they expect.

But the best way to know where you stand is to connect with a trusted lender. They’ll walk you through your credit score, explain your options, and help you create a plan to buy with confidence.