What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House in Utah?
Hi, I'm Alex Hernandez, a mortgage loan officer with Guild Mortgage in St. George, Utah. One of the first questions I get from buyers is some version of "Is my credit good enough?" Many people assume they need a near-perfect score before talking to a lender, so they wait longer than they need to. In this post I'll walk through how mortgage credit scores actually work, what the major loan programs say about minimum scores, and practical steps you can take right now if you're planning to buy in St. George, Washington County, or anywhere in Utah.
The Short Answer: It Depends on the Loan
There isn't one magic number. Each loan program has its own rules, and on top of that, individual lenders can set their own minimums. Your score also isn't the only thing that matters. Underwriters look at your income, your debt-to-income ratio, your assets, your payment history, and the property itself. I cover that bigger picture in prequalified vs preapproved: what a lender actually looks at.
Minimum Credit Scores by Loan Type
FHA loans
FHA loans are popular with first-time buyers in Utah because they're flexible on credit. According to HUD, borrowers with a minimum decision credit score at or above 580 are eligible for maximum financing, which on a typical purchase means a 3.5% down payment. Borrowers with a score between 500 and 579 are limited to 90% loan-to-value, so they need at least 10% down. Below 500, a borrower isn't eligible for FHA-insured financing.
Keep in mind those are FHA's floors. Lenders can and often do set higher minimums, so the score you need with one lender may differ from another. If you're weighing FHA against other options, my post on FHA vs conventional loans in Utah goes deeper.
Conventional loans
For years, the number everyone repeated for conventional loans was 620. That changed. Fannie Mae announced that the 620 minimum credit score requirement was removed for new loan casefiles run through its Desktop Underwriter system created on or after November 16, 2025. Instead, its automated system relies on its own analysis of the credit report and other risk factors.
That doesn't mean "any score works." Fannie Mae's Selling Guide still lists a 620 minimum for manually underwritten fixed-rate loans and 640 for manually underwritten ARMs, and lenders still pull credit scores and can apply their own requirements. In practice, your score still has a big influence on conventional pricing and on the cost of private mortgage insurance, so a stronger score usually means a better deal.
VA loans
If you're a veteran, service member, or eligible surviving spouse, VA loans deserve a hard look. VA lender training materials state there is no minimum credit score required by the VA. Underwriters review your credit history as a whole, and a lack of credit isn't treated as a negative on its own. However, the VA also says on its purchase loan page that you need to meet both VA and your lender's standards for credit and income, so lender minimums still come into play.
USDA loans
USDA guaranteed loans can work for buyers in eligible rural areas, and parts of Southern Utah outside the bigger cities may qualify. According to USDA Rural Development, the program has no credit score requirement, but applicants are expected to show a willingness and ability to manage debt. Household income limits and property location also apply, and lenders may set their own minimums. I can check a specific address for you.
Utah Housing Corporation programs
Utah Housing Corporation offers first mortgage and down payment assistance programs that a lot of my first-time buyers use. Those programs have their own credit score and income requirements, and they update them from time to time, so check the current details on the Utah Housing Corporation website or ask me. I explain how their assistance fits into a purchase in how much you need to buy in Utah.
How Lenders Pick "Your" Credit Score
When you apply for a mortgage, the lender usually pulls a report that includes scores from all three bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. For FHA, HUD's handbook explains that the decision credit score is the middle of three scores, or the lower of two if only two are available. If you're buying with a co-borrower, the scores of both people matter, so it's worth knowing where each of you stands before you start.
This is also why the score on your banking app or credit card statement may not match what a mortgage lender sees. Those apps often show a different scoring model than the ones used for mortgages. Fannie Mae has also been expanding lenders' ability to use VantageScore 4.0 alongside Classic FICO, as noted in its recent selling policy announcements. The bottom line: don't rule yourself out based on an app score. Let a lender pull the real thing.
Will Shopping for a Mortgage Hurt My Credit?
This worry keeps a lot of people from comparing lenders. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says that within a 45-day window, multiple credit checks from mortgage lenders are recorded as a single inquiry, because lenders know you're only buying one home. Some older scoring models use a shorter window, so it's smart to do your comparison shopping in a focused stretch of time.
What can hurt is opening other new credit during the process. The CFPB recommends avoiding applications for credit cards, car loans, or other credit right before or during your mortgage. That brand-new truck or the furniture store financing offer can wait until after closing.
Practical Ways to Get Your Credit Mortgage-Ready
Check your reports for free
You can get free credit reports from all three bureaus once a week at AnnualCreditReport.com, according to the CFPB. Checking your own report doesn't affect your score. Look for accounts you don't recognize, late payments you believe are wrong, and balances that look off.
Dispute real errors
If something is wrong, you have the right to dispute it. The CFPB explains how to dispute an error with the credit reporting company and the business that reported it. The bureau generally must investigate within 30 days, and in some cases up to 45. That timeline is one more reason to start early, ideally a few months before you plan to write an offer.
Pay on time, every time
Your payment history matters a lot to both scoring models and underwriters. If you've had a rough patch, a solid stretch of on-time payments helps. Setting up autopay for at least the minimum on every account is a simple safeguard.
Watch your credit card balances
High balances relative to your limits can weigh on your score. Paying cards down before your lender pulls credit can help, and lower monthly payments can also improve your debt-to-income ratio. Before you move big chunks of savings around, though, talk to me. You'll still need documented funds for your down payment and closing costs, which I break down in my Utah closing costs guide.
Don't close old accounts or make big changes
Closing a long-standing card can shorten your credit history and reduce your available credit. During the loan process, also avoid co-signing for someone else, changing jobs without a heads-up, or making large unexplained deposits. If you're self-employed, there are a few extra wrinkles, which I cover in my post for self-employed buyers.
What If My Credit Isn't There Yet?
That's okay, and it's more common than you'd think. When I review a file, I can usually tell you which items are holding your score back and which ones matter most for the loan you want. Sometimes a few months of focused work makes a real difference. Sometimes a different program is a better fit right now. Either way, it's better to have a plan with real numbers than to guess and wait. I can't promise any particular outcome, but I can give you an honest look at where you stand and what to work on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a house in Utah with a 580 credit score?
Possibly. HUD allows maximum FHA financing at a decision score of 580 or higher, but individual lenders may set higher minimums, and you still need to qualify on income, debt, and assets.
Is 620 still the minimum for a conventional loan?
Not for loans approved through Fannie Mae's Desktop Underwriter casefiles created on or after November 16, 2025. Manually underwritten loans still have minimums, and lenders can set their own requirements, so a stronger score still helps a lot.
Do VA loans have a minimum credit score?
The VA itself doesn't set one, but lenders can. Your overall credit history, income, and the lender's standards all factor in.
Does checking my own credit lower my score?
No. Checking your own report or score doesn't affect it. Mortgage inquiries within a short shopping window are generally treated as one inquiry.
Your credit score is a starting point, not a final verdict. If you'd like to learn alongside other local buyers, join our free community, the Utah Homebuyer Club, and when you're ready, get approved and start your home buying journey so we can look at your real credit picture together.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Alex Hernandez, NMLS #1605167. This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend or an offer of credit. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property eligibility. Program guidelines, credit requirements, and terms can change without notice. Contact me to review the options available for your situation.