Fannie Maeand Freddie Mac require a minimum credit score of 620 to buy a home. Their mission is to help ensure that home buyers and home owners have access to mortgage financing.
Government Loans
There are several types of government loan programs that you may qualify for. Each program has different down payment, credit score, property type and loan-to-value requirements.
FHA announced a set of policy changes to strengthen
the FHA. The changes announced are the latest in a series of changes
enacted in order to better position the FHA to manage
its risk while continuing to support the nation’s housing market
recovery.
The Federal Housing Administration insures FHA loans
and did not used to require a minimum credit score. The new FHA policy
changes requires a minimum credit score of 580 for 3.5% down payment
and anyone purchasing a home with a score lower than 580 will require
10% down payment.
The FHA has taken the following step:
Update the combination of FICO scores and down payments for new borrowers
New borrowers will now be required to have a minimum FICO score of 580 to qualify for FHA's 3.5% down payment program
New borrowers with less than a 580 FICO score will be required to put down at least 10%