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Which credit score do mortgage companies use for qualification?

Which credit score do mortgage companies use for qualification?

Short Answer

Most mortgage lenders use your FICO® score — specifically, older versions of it — when evaluating your application.

Longer Answer

If you're preparing to buy a home, one of the biggest factors that mortgage lenders consider is your credit score. But with multiple credit scoring models available, many homebuyers ask: Which credit score do mortgage companies use when approving a mortgage?

What Credit Score Do Mortgage Lenders Use?

Mortgage lenders almost always use your FICO® score, not your VantageScore or any other consumer-facing credit score. But it goes deeper — they typically use older versions of the FICO score that are specific to mortgage lending.

These are the credit score models mortgage lenders use, as of 2025:

  • Experian: FICO Score 2
  • Equifax: FICO Score 5
  • TransUnion: FICO Score 4

These are often called “classic FICO scores”, and they’re the versions required by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and government-backed loan programs like FHA loans, VA loans, and USDA loans.

Why Do Mortgage Lenders Use Older FICO Scores?

You might wonder why lenders don’t use the latest versions of the FICO score or your VantageScore (the score you see on apps like Credit Karma). The answer comes down to consistency and regulation. The mortgage industry is slow to adopt new models because the older ones have been thoroughly tested and are built into underwriting systems used by the major mortgage investors and government agencies.

Which Credit Score Is Used to Qualify You?

When you apply for a mortgage, lenders pull your credit report from all three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — in what’s known as a tri-merge credit report.

They look at the middle credit score, not the highest or lowest. For example, if your scores are:

  • Experian: 700
  • Equifax: 680
  • TransUnion: 720

Your middle score is 700, and that’s what the lender will use for qualifying purposes.

If you’re applying for a mortgage with a co-borrower(s), the lender typically uses the lower of the two middle scores.

What Is a Good Credit Score for a Mortgage?

Here are general credit score ranges for mortgage qualification:

  • 620: Minimum for most conventional loans
  • 580: Minimum for FHA loans (some lenders may accept lower)
  • 760+: Excellent credit – best interest rates and loan terms

While you can qualify with a score in the 600s, a higher score usually means a more mortgage options available to you.

How Can You Check the Same Credit Score Mortgage Lenders Use?

Most free credit score tools give you a VantageScore, which is not used by mortgage lenders. To see the same scores lenders will see:

  • Visit MyFICO.com to get access to your FICO Score 2, 4, and 5 (used by mortgage lenders)
  • Check all three bureau scores with a credit monitoring service that includes classic FICO models

This helps you understand exactly where you stand before applying.

Conclusion:

Knowing which credit score mortgage lenders use can help you improve your credit strategically before applying for a home loan. Focus on boosting your FICO scores from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, and aim for the best middle score possible.

Pro Tip: Check your credit at least 3–6 months before you apply for a mortgage. This gives you time to fix errors, pay down debt, and improve your credit utilization.

These blogs are for informational purposes only. Make sure you understand the features associated with the loan program you choose, and that it meets your unique financial needs. Subject to Debt-to-Income and Underwriting requirements. This is not a credit decision or a commitment to lend. Eligibility is subject to completion of an application and verification of home ownership, occupancy, title, income, employment, credit, home value, collateral, and underwriting requirements. Not all programs are available in all areas. Offers may vary and are subject to change at any time without notice. Should you have any questions about the information provided, please contact me.

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