What credit score do you need to buy a house in Texas?

Last updated August 7, 2026 · Written by the Warens Financial Group education team
Reviewed by Franklin Warens, Mortgage Broker, NMLS #1249423 · Warens Financial Group, NMLS #2532048

Quick answer

In Texas, the minimum credit score to buy a house generally ranges from 500 to 620, depending on the loan program. FHA loans can go as low as 500 (with 10% down) or 580 (with 3.5% down). Conventional loans typically start at 620. VA and USDA loans set no federal minimum, but most lenders look for about 620 and 640. Sources dated 2026 are listed at the end.

Your credit score is one of several factors a lender reviews, alongside income, debts, down payment, and the property itself. There is no single cutoff that applies to every buyer, and a higher score generally means more loan options. This guide breaks down the typical minimums by loan type so Houston and Texas first-time buyers know where they stand before they apply.

Minimum credit score by loan type (2026)

This table is the fastest answer for most buyers. Program minimums come from the agencies that back each loan; the typical lender minimum reflects the higher bar individual lenders often set (called a lender overlay).

Minimum credit score by mortgage loan type in Texas, 2026
Loan type	Program minimum	Typical lender minimum	Notes
FHA	500	580	500 to 579 needs 10% down; 580+ allows 3.5% down
Conventional	620	620 to 640	Backed by Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac; better pricing tiers at 680+ and 740+
VA	None set by VA	About 620 (some to 580)	For eligible veterans, service members, and surviving spouses
USDA	None set by USDA	About 640	640 is the cutoff for USDA's automated underwriting; for eligible rural and suburban areas

Sources: Freedom Mortgage and CrossCountry Mortgage (FHA, 2026); UQUAL (conventional, 2026); Veterans United and AmeriSave (VA, 2026); Fairway and Neighbors Bank (USDA, 2026). Full links at the end of this article.

Important: because lenders, not the agencies, actually fund these loans, each lender sets its own minimum. A score that meets the program minimum does not guarantee approval, and meeting a minimum is only one part of qualifying. A licensed mortgage professional can review your full picture.

What credit score do you need for an FHA loan in Texas?

For an FHA loan, you generally need a credit score of at least 580 to put down 3.5%, or 500 to 579 to put down 10%.

FHA loans are popular with first-time and lower-credit buyers because of these lower thresholds. Many lenders still apply overlays requiring roughly 600 to 620, so the real-world minimum is often higher than the FHA floor. FHA also charges mortgage insurance, an upfront premium plus an annual premium, which a lender can explain for your scenario. Read more about FHA loans at Warens Financial Group.

Source: Freedom Mortgage, "FHA Loan Credit Score Requirements" (2026); CrossCountry Mortgage FHA requirements (2026).

What credit score do you need for a conventional loan in Texas?

Conventional loans typically require a minimum credit score of 620.

These loans follow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines and are common for buyers with stronger credit. Pricing and mortgage-insurance costs generally improve as your score rises through tiers around 680 and 740, so a higher score can mean more favorable terms. See our conventional loan overview.

Source: UQUAL, "Credit Score Requirements for Every Mortgage Type" (2026).

What credit score do you need for a VA loan in Texas?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does not set a minimum credit score for VA loans; it lets lenders decide.

In practice, most VA-approved lenders look for around 620, though some consider scores down to 580 when the rest of the financial picture is strong. VA loans are available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and certain surviving spouses, and can allow 0% down. See our VA loan overview.

Source: Veterans United and AmeriSave, VA credit-score guidance (2026).

What credit score do you need for a USDA loan in Texas?

The USDA sets no minimum credit score, but most lenders want about 640.

That 640 mark is the threshold for USDA's Guaranteed Underwriting System, which streamlines approval. USDA loans support eligible homes in qualifying rural and suburban areas, which can include parts of the Houston metro's outer counties, and can allow 0% down for income-eligible buyers.

Source: Fairway and Neighbors Bank, USDA credit-score guidance (2026).

What credit score do Houston down payment assistance programs require?

Most Texas and Houston down payment assistance (DPA) programs require a minimum credit score of about 620.

These programs can help cover your down payment and closing costs, which is often the bigger hurdle than the loan minimum itself. The three most relevant for Houston buyers:

Houston and Texas down payment assistance programs and credit minimums
Program	Typical credit minimum	What it offers	Key eligibility
TDHCA: My First Texas Home / My Choice Texas Home	620	Up to about 5% down payment assistance with a 30-year fixed first mortgage	Income and purchase-price limits; homebuyer education required
TSAHC: Home Sweet Texas / Homes for Texas Heroes	620	Down payment grant or second-lien assistance	Income limits; a heroes track for teachers, first responders, veterans, and others
City of Houston Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP)	Varies by lender	Up to $30,000 in assistance, forgivable over 5 years	At or below 80% of Area Median Income; first-time buyer (no home owned in last 3 years); home inside City of Houston limits; fixed-rate mortgage only

Sources: TDHCA / The Mortgage Reports (2026); TSAHC (2026); City of Houston Housing and Community Development Dept., HAP guidelines (2025). Program details and income limits change; confirm current terms with the program and a licensed lender.

What if your credit score is below 580?

If your score is below 580, you may still have paths to homeownership; they simply take more planning.

Options buyers in this situation often explore include improving credit before applying, looking at FHA's 500 to 579 (10%-down) tier with a lender that allows it, or specialized Non-QM loan programs for borrowers whose situation does not fit standard guidelines. None of these guarantee approval; eligibility depends on your full financial profile. Two paths Warens Financial Group is asked about often in Houston:

Non-QM, bank statement, and DSCR loans: alternative documentation programs for self-employed borrowers, investors, and others outside conventional guidelines. See our bank statement and DSCR / investor overviews.
ITIN loans: for buyers who file taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number rather than a Social Security number. See our ITIN loan overview, or empieza en español.

A licensed mortgage broker can review which, if any, fit your circumstances.

How credit scores are graded

Most mortgage lenders use FICO scores, which range from 300 to 850. Where you fall affects which loans and terms you may be offered:

FICO score ranges and labels
FICO range	Common label
740 to 850	Excellent / Very good
670 to 739	Good
580 to 669	Fair
Below 580	Poor

Mortgage lenders typically pull scores from all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and often use the middle score, or the lower middle score when two people apply together.

How to improve your credit score before buying

If your score is not where you want it, small, consistent steps over a few months can help.

Pay every bill on time. Payment history is the largest scoring factor.
Lower your credit-card balances. Keeping balances well under your limits helps your utilization ratio.
Avoid opening or closing accounts. Especially right before applying for a mortgage.
Check your credit reports for errors. Get free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute inaccuracies.
Keep older accounts open. Length of credit history helps.

These are general educational tips, not a promise of a specific score change or loan approval.

Buying a house in Houston: a quick reality check

Houston remains one of Texas's more attainable major metros for first-time buyers. The median home sale price in the Houston area sat in roughly the $330,000 to $350,000 range in the first half of 2026 (Houston Association of Realtors data, spring 2026). For 2026, the baseline conforming loan limit for a one-unit home, including Harris County, is $832,750 (FHFA), and the standard FHA loan limit for most Texas counties is $541,287. Most first-time Houston buyers borrow well under these caps.

Your credit score affects your loan options, but down payment, income, debts, and the home itself all factor into what you can buy. Try our payment calculator to explore your own assumptions, then have a conversation that looks at the whole picture.

Frequently asked questions

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Next step

Talk to a licensed, bilingual Houston mortgage team.

Warens Financial Group is a Houston-based, bilingual (English/Spanish) mortgage brokerage licensed in Texas, Florida, and Indiana, offering FHA, VA, conventional, jumbo, and Non-QM, investor, and DSCR loan programs. Our team can review your credit, budget, and goals and explain the programs you may be eligible for, en inglés o en español. Pre-qualification is free, no-obligation, and not a commitment to lend.

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Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice, a commitment to lend, or an offer of credit. Loan programs, credit requirements, and program terms are subject to change and vary by lender and borrower. Credit-score minimums cited reflect third-party sources as of the dates noted and do not guarantee approval. Verify current program details with the relevant agency and consult a licensed mortgage professional. Warens Financial Group, NMLS #2532048. Franklin Warens, Mortgage Broker, NMLS #1249423. Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS Consumer Access.