There's no single minimum — different loan programs accept different scores — but your score does far more than decide whether you qualify. It sets your interest rate, and that rate can swing the lifetime cost of your mortgage by tens of thousands of dollars.
| Loan type | Typical minimum |
|---|---|
| FHA (3.5% down) | 580 (or 500 with 10% down) |
| Conventional | 620 |
| VA / USDA | No official min (lenders ~580-640) |
| Best rates | 740+ |
On a $320,000 mortgage, the rate gap between a 760 score and a 640 score can be around 0.75–1%. That's roughly $150–$200 more per month — and $50,000–$70,000 more in interest over 30 years — for the exact same house. Improving your score before applying is often the single highest-return move a buyer can make.
See how your rate changes your monthly payment and total interest.
Mortgage Calculator →Yes — an FHA loan accepts 580+, so 600 qualifies. But your rate will be higher than a prime borrower's, and you'll pay FHA mortgage insurance. If you can spend a few months raising your score above 620-640 first, you'll likely save more than the wait costs you.
No. Checking your own score is a 'soft inquiry' and never affects it. Only 'hard inquiries' from lender applications have a small, temporary effect — and mortgage shopping within a 45-day window counts as one.
Utilization improvements can show up in 30-60 days. Recovering from a missed payment or building a thin file takes longer — typically 6-12 months of consistent on-time payments to see meaningful movement.