: For FHA and conventional loans with low down payments, your credit score can influence the cost of your Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).

: Borrowers with "Excellent" credit (760+) receive the lowest available interest rates.

: Applicants with a score of 640 or higher often benefit from automated underwriting, while those below may face stricter manual review. Why the Score Matters

Your credit score doesn't just determine if you can get a loan; it determines how much that loan will cost you over 30 years.

: This is generally the absolute minimum. Scores below this are often considered too risky for standard conventional financing. VA Loans (Department of Veterans Affairs) :

: You may still qualify, but you are typically required to provide a 10% down payment. Conventional Loans (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) :

: The VA doesn't set a score, but most lenders require a 620 to approve the loan. USDA Loans (U.S. Department of Agriculture) :