What Credit Score Do You Really Need for a Mortgage in Washington?

FHA loans allow credit scores starting at 580 for the 3.5% down payment option. Conventional loans typically require 620 or higher. VA loans have no VA-mandated minimum, but lenders often set their own floor (often 580-620). USDA loans generally require 640+.

But these are just the minimums. The real question is what rate and terms you qualify for at your score.

Above the minimums, higher credit scores unlock better rates. A borrower at 740 may qualify for a meaningfully lower rate than a borrower at 660, even on the same loan program. Over 30 years, that difference can add up to tens of thousands of dollars.

I'll show you exactly how your score affects your rate and payment, and if there are quick wins to improve your score before you apply, I'll point them out.

If your score is below 580, FHA may still be an option with 10% down. There are also credit-building strategies that can raise your score in months, not years. Sometimes paying down a single credit card can boost your score by 20-40 points.

Don't assume you're disqualified. Let me look at your full picture and find the fastest path to qualification.

Myth: Checking your credit hurts your score. Fact: Checking your own credit (a soft pull) has zero impact. Myth: You need perfect credit to buy a home. Fact: Most of my buyers have scores in the 600s. Myth: Paying off collections always helps. Fact: Sometimes it can temporarily lower your score.

I've seen buyers with scores in the low 600s get approved and buyers with 780 scores get denied for other reasons. Your score is one piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture.