Can you get approved for FHA with 600 credit score?

Asked by: Carroll Franecki  |  Last update: July 9, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (40 votes)

Yes, you can! While a lower score may limit your options, it doesn't mean homeownership is off the table. Lenders may offer loans for a 600 credit score, such as FHA, VA, or USDA loans that cater specifically to borrowers with less-than-perfect credit.

Can I get an FHA loan with a 600 credit score?

You may be able to get an FHA loan with a down payment as low as 3.5% if your credit score is 580 or higher. If your score is 500 to 579, you'll need a down payment of at least 10%. Larger down payments allow you to borrow less, resulting in lower monthly payments that give you more breathing room in your budget.

Is a 600 credit score good enough to buy a house?

Can I buy a house with a 600 credit score? A 600 credit score is high enough to get a home loan. In fact, there are several mortgage programs designed specifically to help people with lower credit scores. However, you'll need to meet other lending requirements too.

How big of a loan can I get with a 600 credit score?

With FICO, fair or good credit scores fall within the ranges of 580 to 739, and with VantageScore, fair or good ranges between 601 to 780. Many personal loan lenders offer amounts starting around $3,000 to $5,000, but with Upgrade, you can apply for as little as $1,000 (and as much as $50,000).

What is the lowest credit score FHA will accept?

The Minimum Credit Score Needed for an FHA Loan

To qualify for an FHA loan with a 3.5% down payment, for example, you'll need a minimum FICO credit score of 580. If your credit score is lower – between 500 and 579 – you may still be eligible for an FHA loan, but you'll need to make a higher down payment of 10%.

Mortgage with 600 - 620 credit score - Get Approved!

31 related questions found

What will disqualify you from an FHA loan?

You may be denied for an FHA loan if you have declared bankruptcy but you have not had the bankruptcy discharged. You may be denied if you are delinquent on federal taxes or otherwise owe money to the federal government but without an approved payment plan.

What's the lowest FICO score to buy a house?

What Credit Score Do I Need to Buy a House?
  • Conventional Loans Minimum Credit Score: 620. ...
  • Jumbo Loans Minimum Credit Score: 700. ...
  • FHA Loans Minimum Credit Score: 500. ...
  • VA Loans Minimum Credit Score: 620. ...
  • USDA Loans Minimum Credit Score: 580.

How long does it take to get a 700 credit score from 600?

If you're new to credit, it might take six months to a year to hit a respectable score of around 700 with FICO® or VantageScore® models.

What credit score do I need for a $3 000 loan?

Personal loans offer flexibility in usage, allowing borrowers to cover various expenses like debt consolidation or personal purchases without needing collateral. Qualification for a $3,000 personal loan often requires a decent credit score, with many lenders preferring scores of 660 or higher for better terms.

What can a 600 credit score get you?

Since 600 is considered to be a fair credit score, borrowers with this score generally won't qualify for credit cards with large welcome bonuses, generous rewards and perks or low APRs. However, there are still some options available — using a secured card or becoming an authorized user on someone else's card.

Will landlords accept 600 credit score?

According to FICO, 600 is considered a fair credit score. The company says a score above 670 is better. While 600 may not be as desirable to landlords, it still may be possible. That's because acceptable credit scores can vary by region and a landlord's discretion.

Can I get a USDA loan with a 600 credit score?

GUS analyzes your risk and eligibility as a borrower using a scorecard. Automatic GUS approval requires you to have a credit score of 640 or higher with no outstanding federal judgments or significant delinquencies. Even if you don't have a 640 credit score, it's still possible to apply and be approved for a USDA loan.

Is a 900 credit score possible?

What is the highest credit score possible? To start off: No, it's not possible to have a 900 credit score in the United States. In some countries that use other models, like Canada, people could have a score of 900. The current scoring models in the U.S. have a maximum of 850.

What is the minimum down payment for an FHA loan?

For instance, the minimum required down payment for an FHA loan is only 3.5% of the purchase price.

Can I get a mortgage with a score of 600?

A 600 credit score is rated as fair by Equifax and TransUnion and this means although you may be approved for a mortgage you won't benefit from the best rates. However, if your 600 credit score is with Experian then you have a poor credit rating.

What is the downside to an FHA loan?

FHA Loan: Cons

Here are some FHA home loan disadvantages: An extra cost – an upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP) of 2.25% of the loan's value. The MIP must either be paid in cash when you get the loan or rolled into the life of the loan. Home price qualifying maximums are set by FHA.

Can I buy a house with a 600 credit score?

With certain home loans, you can buy a house with a 600 credit score. Government-backed loan programs like FHA, USDA, and VA loans are often more flexible when it comes to credit requirements. These loan programs can be particularly helpful for first-time home buyers or those with lower credit scores.

Will Navy Federal give me a loan with a 550 credit score?

Navy Federal says its loans are available to borrowers across the credit spectrum, including borrowers with bad credit or thin credit histories, and there's no minimum credit score requirement. You must be a member of Navy Federal to apply.

How can I raise my credit score 200 points in 30 days?

How to Improve Your Credit Score
  1. Review Your Credit Reports. The best way to identify which steps are most important for you is to read through your credit reports. ...
  2. Pay Every Bill on Time. ...
  3. Maintain a Low Credit Utilization Rate. ...
  4. Avoid Unnecessary Credit Applications. ...
  5. Monitor Your Credit Regularly.

How hard is it to get a loan with a 600 credit score?

A 600 credit score falls in the “fair” category and is considered below average for U.S. consumers, according to FICO. You may find it more difficult to get approved for a personal loan if you have a 600 score — especially if you apply with banks and credit unions.

How to ask for late payment forgiveness?

If you missed a payment because of extenuating circumstances and you've brought account current, you could try to contact the creditor or send a goodwill letter and ask them to remove the late payment.

What credit score is needed to buy a house with an FHA loan?

FHA loans allow borrowers with a credit score of 580 or above to purchase a house with a down payment as low as 3.5% of the purchase price. Borrowers with credit scores between 500 and 579 need at least 10% down. Keep in mind, these are the minimums set by HUD, but lenders may have their own minimums.

Is credit karma accurate?

Overall, Credit Karma may produce a different result than one or more of the three major credit bureaus directly. The slight differences in calculations between FICO and VantageScore can lead to significant variances in credit scores, making Credit Karma less accurate than most may appreciate.

How to build credit quickly?

9 ways to build credit fast
  1. Dispute credit report errors. ...
  2. Pay down your credit card balances. ...
  3. Become an authorized user. ...
  4. Deal with delinquent accounts. ...
  5. Open a credit card account. ...
  6. Take out a credit builder loan. ...
  7. Request a credit limit increase. ...
  8. Keep a mix of different account types.