Individual lenders often set their own minimums (called "overlays") that are 20–40 points higher than the program minimum.
If your score is low, lenders may still approve you if you have large cash reserves , a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio , or a large down payment . ✅ How to Improve Your Score Quickly minimum score to buy a house
Keep credit card balances below 30% of your total limit. Individual lenders often set their own minimums (called
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While specific lender requirements can vary, these are the standard program minimums for 2026: 500 (with 10% down) or 580 (with 3.5% down). a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio
No official minimum , but lenders typically look for 640 .