Your credit score matters—but it is only one part of the picture.
Credit requirements can vary by loan program and lender. There is no single minimum credit score that applies to every mortgage.
A lower score does not automatically mean you cannot buy a home—and a higher score does not automatically mean you are ready.
That’s because lenders may also consider:
Your payment history
How much debt you carry
Any recent credit problems
Your overall financial picture today
That means two people with the same score may have very different options.
Before paying off or closing accounts, opening new credit, or moving debt around, ask how the change could affect your homebuying plan.
To better understand your credit picture, ask yourself:
What is helping or hurting my credit today?
Have there been any recent changes that may need an explanation?
Is there anything I should work on—or avoid changing without guidance?
Ready to keep exploring?
Still have a question we haven’t answered? Send it our way.