| Credit score | FHA down payment | VA | Conventional | USDA | Jumbo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | 10% | Unlikely with typical lender overlays | Unlikely with common lender overlays | Unlikely with typical lender overlays | Unlikely with typical jumbo overlays |
| 520 | 10% | Unlikely with typical lender overlays | Unlikely with common lender overlays | Unlikely with typical lender overlays | Unlikely with typical jumbo overlays |
| 540 | 10% | Unlikely with typical lender overlays | Unlikely with common lender overlays | Unlikely with typical lender overlays | Unlikely with typical jumbo overlays |
| 560 | 10% | Unlikely with typical lender overlays | Unlikely with common lender overlays | Unlikely with typical lender overlays | Unlikely with typical jumbo overlays |
| 580 | 3.5% | Possible with a matching lender | Unlikely with common lender overlays | Possible; lender/manual review needed | Unlikely with typical jumbo overlays |
| 600 | 3.5% | Possible with a matching lender | Unlikely with common lender overlays | Possible; lender/manual review needed | Unlikely with typical jumbo overlays |
| 620 | 3.5% | Possible with a matching lender | Likely score fit; underwriting required | Possible; lender/manual review needed | Unlikely with typical jumbo overlays |
| 640 | 3.5% | Likely score fit; service eligibility required | Likely score fit; underwriting required | Likely score fit; address and income required | Unlikely with typical jumbo overlays |
| 660 | 3.5% | Likely score fit; service eligibility required | Likely score fit; underwriting required | Likely score fit; address and income required | Unlikely with typical jumbo overlays |
| 680 | 3.5% | Likely score fit; service eligibility required | Likely score fit; underwriting required | Likely score fit; address and income required | Unlikely with typical jumbo overlays |
| 700 | 3.5% | Likely score fit; service eligibility required | Likely score fit; underwriting required | Likely score fit; address and income required | Likely score fit; lender-specific rules |
| 720 | 3.5% | Likely score fit; service eligibility required | Likely score fit; underwriting required | Likely score fit; address and income required | Likely score fit; lender-specific rules |
| 740 | 3.5% | Likely score fit; service eligibility required | Likely score fit; underwriting required | Likely score fit; address and income required | Likely score fit; lender-specific rules |
| 760 | 3.5% | Likely score fit; service eligibility required | Likely score fit; underwriting required | Likely score fit; address and income required | Likely score fit; lender-specific rules |
| 780 | 3.5% | Likely score fit; service eligibility required | Likely score fit; underwriting required | Likely score fit; address and income required | Likely score fit; lender-specific rules |
| 800 | 3.5% | Likely score fit; service eligibility required | Likely score fit; underwriting required | Likely score fit; address and income required | Likely score fit; lender-specific rules |
Loan-specific score and property requirements
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Frequently asked questions
FHA permits 500–579 with 10% down or 580+ with 3.5%, subject to lender overlays. VA and USDA set no universal program minimum. Conventional and jumbo underwriting varies; common lender benchmarks are not approval guarantees.
No. Credit can affect pricing, but LTV, property, debt, points and the lock period also matter. We do not publish invented score-based rate or PMI adjustments; compare written lender quotes.
Sources
- HUD Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1
- HUD — Minimum decision credit scores, ML 2010-29
- VA — Lender toolkit (VA does not set a minimum score)
- USDA — Guaranteed loan program flyer
- Fannie Mae — DU November 2025 release notes
- CFPB — Credit reports and scores
- U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates
- NAIC — Homeowners Insurance Report, Data for 2023 (HO-3 average premium)
- FHFA — 2026 Conforming Loan Limit Values
- HUD — 2026 FHA Forward Mortgage Limits (county file)
- VA — Funding fee and closing costs
- Freddie Mac — Breaking down PMI ($30–$70 per $100,000/month)
- HUD — Annual MIP table, Mortgagee Letter 2023-05
- Freddie Mac — Primary Mortgage Market Survey
- CFPB — Owning a Home
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Get My MatchesFigures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.