If your credit score is below 620, these programs are often your best path to homeownership:
: As of late 2025, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have moved toward a broader "risk-based" evaluation, meaning a hard 620 cutoff is becoming less common for some lenders. Ways to Strengthen Your Application
: Available to veterans and service members. There is no government-mandated minimum credit score , though many lenders prefer at least 580–620 . These often require no down payment .