Minimum credit scores by program
| Loan Program | Min Score | Best Rates |
|---|---|---|
| FHA | 580 | 700+ |
| Conventional | 620 | 740+ |
| VA | 580* | 700+ |
| USDA | 640 | 700+ |
| Jumbo | 700 | 760+ |
| Bank Statement | 660 | 720+ |
*VA does not set a minimum; lenders typically require 580.
What score do you ACTUALLY need?
The minimum gets you in the door, but the score that gets you the best rate is usually 60-80 points higher. A 620 conventional score might get approved at 7.5%, while a 740 gets 6.25%. That's $300/month difference on a $300,000 loan.
Fast ways to improve your score
- Pay down credit card balances — credit utilization is 30% of your score
- Don't open new credit accounts before applying
- Don't close old accounts — length of history matters
- Dispute errors on your credit report — we can help with rapid rescore
- Get added as an authorized user on a family member's old, clean account
- Ask about rapid rescore — we can update your credit mid-loan in 3-5 days
Talk to a Florida loan expert today
Pre-approval in as little as 24 hours. Real people answer the phone.
Start Your Application (754) 247-3930