Home Buying
What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House in Utah?
Minimum credit scores for each type of home loan, how mortgage lenders read your credit, and practical steps to get mortgage-ready in Utah.
Utah home prices mean every point of your credit score matters. Your score affects not only whether you're approved for a mortgage, but also your interest rate and mortgage insurance cost, and a better rate can save tens of thousands of dollars over the life of a loan.
Minimum credit scores by loan type
| Loan type | Typical minimum score |
|---|---|
| FHA loan (3.5% down) | 580 |
| FHA loan (10% down) | 500–579 |
| Conventional loan | 620 |
| VA loan | No official minimum; many lenders look for about 620 |
| USDA loan | Many lenders look for about 640 |
These are program guidelines. Individual lenders often set higher minimums (called "overlays"), so a lender may require 620 or more even for an FHA loan. Utah Housing Corporation's first-time homebuyer and down payment assistance programs have their own score requirements too, so check current guidelines with an approved lender.
How mortgage lenders read your credit
Mortgage lenders typically pull a "tri-merge" report with scores from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and use your middle score. If your scores are 610, 645 and 660, the lender uses 645. If you're buying with someone else, lenders often use the lower of the two borrowers' middle scores.
That's why an error on just one report can cost you. If one bureau shows a collection the others don't, your middle score may drop below a key threshold.
How your score affects your rate
Mortgage pricing is tiered by credit score. Moving from the low 600s into the 700s can lower your interest rate and, on conventional loans, your private mortgage insurance. Even crossing a single tier (for example 679 to 680, or 739 to 740) can change your pricing.
How to get mortgage-ready
- Check all three reports now, ideally six months to a year before you want to buy. Errors take time to fix.
- Dispute inaccurate items, especially collections, late payments and duplicate accounts. See how to dispute credit report errors.
- Pay credit card balances down. Credit utilization is quick to improve and heavily weighted.
- Avoid new credit. Don't open new cards or finance furniture or a car before closing. Read about hard inquiries.
- Don't close old accounts. It can raise your utilization and shorten your credit history.
- Talk to your loan officer before paying collections. The right order matters.
Ask your lender about a rapid rescore
If you pay down balances or correct an error during the loan process, your lender may be able to request a rapid rescore, which updates your score in days rather than waiting for the next reporting cycle.
Getting ready to buy in Utah?
At 90 Day Credit Experts in Orem, we work with many clients who are preparing to buy a home. We review all three reports, dispute inaccurate items, and help you understand what's holding your middle score back. Start with a free credit assessment, or read about credit repair in Orem and Utah County.
Not sure which items on your reports are worth disputing? Our team will go over all three reports with you for free.
Get a Free Credit AssessmentFrequently asked questions
What is the lowest credit score to buy a house?
FHA guidelines allow scores as low as 500 with 10% down, or 580 with 3.5% down, but many lenders require higher scores.
Which credit score do mortgage lenders use?
Most lenders pull all three bureaus and use your middle score. With two borrowers, they often use the lower middle score.
How long before buying a home should I work on my credit?
Ideally six to twelve months, so there is time to correct errors and lower balances.
Does checking my own credit hurt my score?
No. Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry and doesn't affect your score.