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If you’ve been putting off buying a home because you think your credit score has to be perfect, this one’s for you. The real minimums might surprise you.

The actual minimums

  • Conventional loans: 620 is the standard minimum.
  • FHA loans: 580 with 3.5% down — and 500–579 can still work with 10% down.
  • VA loans: the VA doesn’t set a minimum; most lenders look for around 620.
  • USDA loans: most lenders look for around 640.

In other words, “mortgage-ready” usually starts a lot lower than people fear. The score gets you in the conversation — what you do next decides your terms.

Why a few points still matter

A borrower at 620 and a borrower at 660 can both get approved — but they won’t pay the same for the loan. Higher scores generally mean better rates and lower mortgage insurance, which can add up to real money every single month. That’s why we don’t just chase “approved.” We build the strongest file you can before you apply.

Three fastest wins

  1. Get your balances under 10%. Credit utilization is one of the fastest-moving parts of your score. Paying cards down below 10% of their limits — before the statement closing date — can move a score within a single cycle.
  2. Dispute what’s actually wrong. Errors are common: accounts that aren’t yours, balances that should be $0, late payments that never happened. You have the legal right to challenge inaccurate reporting — and it works best with documentation.
  3. Freeze your credit picture 90 days out. No new cards, no closing old ones, no financing furniture. Lenders want a stable, predictable file while you’re approaching application day.

Not sure where you stand?

That’s exactly what Path To Keyes was built for. We help declined and not-yet-ready buyers become mortgage-ready through credit optimization and mortgage counseling — $0 setup, $99/month billed in arrears, a 30-day free trial, no contract, and you can cancel anytime. When you’re ready, you go back to your loan officer ready to close.

Ready to see your path? Start here: https://pathtokeyes.com/get-started/

Individual results vary. Path To Keyes LLC provides financial coaching and education; we do not guarantee specific credit score increases or mortgage approvals.