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What credit score do I need to buy a home?

There is no single credit score that guarantees a mortgage. Loan programs and lenders set different requirements, and credit is only one part of the review. Your income, debts, available cash and property also matter. Start by checking your reports and asking which score and loan rules apply to you.

By Eric Hamilton · Published September 17, 2026

Your app may show a different score

A score in a banking app may use a different model or information date from the lender’s mortgage review. Ask which reports were used and whether a specific item is affecting the decision before paying for a score improvement service.

Fix information before chasing points

Check your reports for accounts you do not recognize, incorrect balances and payment errors. Dispute inaccurate information through the proper process. Do not dispute accurate accounts simply to make them disappear during a loan application.

Choose the next action carefully

Paying down a balance can help your finances, but using every dollar to chase a score may leave too little for closing. Ask the lender to compare the credit issue with the cash needed and cash remaining.

Leave room for a different timeline

If the current option is costly or leaves little breathing room, a preparation period may be useful. Request a clear explanation of what needs to change. A suggested action is not a promise of a particular score or approval.

Sources and scope

General U.S. education. Program, investor, company, servicer and state requirements vary. Agency references describe their own scope, not universal eligibility. Illustrations are hypothetical, not quotes or approvals.

  1. CFPB: Credit reports and scores Accessed September 17, 2026
  2. CFPB: Preparing to shop for a mortgage Accessed September 17, 2026

Approved for publication by Eric Hamilton on September 17, 2026.

General education, not a loan quote, approval or an individual recommendation. Ask the appropriate professional about your situation.

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Cash to Close vs. Down Payment: What Is the Difference?

Your down payment is the portion of the purchase price you pay rather than borrow. It is only one part of your cash to close. Cash to close also reflects closing costs, prepaid items and initial escrow funding, reduced by applicable deposits, credits and adjustments. Use the cash to close figure to plan the transfer, and separately calculate what will remain in your accounts.

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Start with your payment comfort, cash available and timing. Next, understand the financing review and build a property specific budget before making an offer. A clear sequence helps you ask better questions and avoid choosing a home before you know what the full plan requires.

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What if my credit report has an error before I buy?

Address a possible error early and tell your lender before assuming it will disappear. Gather the records that show what is wrong and use the credit reporting company’s and information provider’s dispute processes. The correction timeline and effect on a mortgage review vary. Do not build a closing plan around an unconfirmed correction.

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