Can I buy a house with a 524 credit score?
It is possible to qualify for an FHA loan with a credit score as low as 500, although you won't get the standard 3.5% down payment these loans are known for. Borrowers without a FICO Score of at least 580 need to put 10% down.
You'll typically need a credit score of 620 to finance a home purchase. However, some lenders may offer mortgage loans to borrowers with scores as low as 500. Whether you qualify for a specific loan type also depends on personal factors like your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), loan-to-value ratio (LTV) and income.
Credit Rating: 524 is considered a bad credit score. Borrowing Options: Most borrowing options are available, but the terms are unlikely to be attractive. For example, you could borrow a small amount with certain unsecured credit cards or a personal loan with no credit check, but the interest rate is likely to be high.
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insures FHA loans, which allows mortgage lenders to accept a credit score as low as 580 with a 3.5 percent down payment, or 500 with a 10 percent down payment.
To buy a house with a conventional loan, for example, you'll need at least a 620 credit score. But don't worry. Even if your credit score hovers somewhere in the 500 – 600 range, you can still secure a home loan.
To qualify for a conventional loan, you'll need a credit score of at least 620, though some lenders may choose to approve conventional mortgage applications only for borrowers with credit scores of 680 and up.
FHA loans allow borrowers with a credit score of 580 or above to purchase a house with a down payment as low as 3.5% of the purchase price. Borrowers with credit scores between 500 and 579 need at least 10% down. Keep in mind, these are the minimums set by HUD, but lenders may have their own minimums.
| Lender | Loan Amounts | APRs |
|---|---|---|
| Oportun | $300 - $18,500 | 10.07% - 35.95% |
| OneMain Financial | $1,500 - $20,000 | 18% - 35.99% |
| RISE | $500 - $5,000 | 60% - 299% |
| Jora Credit | $500 - $4,000 | 99% - 349% |
Using more of your credit card balance than usual — even if you pay on time — can reduce your score until a new, lower balance is reported the following month. Closed accounts and lower credit limits can also result in lower scores even if your payment behavior has not changed.
A 524 credit score can be a sign of past credit difficulties or a lack of credit history. Whether you're looking for a personal loan, a mortgage or a credit card, credit scores in this range can make it challenging to get approved for unsecured credit, which doesn't require collateral or a security deposit.
Is 524 a horrible credit score?
Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 524 FICO® Score is significantly below the average credit score. Many lenders choose not to do business with borrowers whose scores fall in the Very Poor range, on grounds they have unfavorable credit.
Some types of mortgages have specific minimum credit score requirements. A conventional loan requires a credit score of at least 620, but it's ideal to have a score of 740 or above, which could allow you to make a lower down payment, get a more attractive interest rate and save on private mortgage insurance.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans need at least a 580 FICO Score with at least a 3.5% down payment (which amounts to $10,500 on a $300,000 home). Conventional loans require a minimum FICO® Score of 620 along with a 3% down payment (which amounts to $9,000 on a $300,000 home).
The most commonly used FICO Score in the mortgage-lending industry is the FICO Score 5. According to FICO, the majority of lenders pull credit histories from all three major credit reporting agencies as they evaluate mortgage applications. Mortgage lenders may also use FICO Score 2 or FICO Score 4 in their decisions.
Expect most mortgage lenders to want minimum credit scores of 620 or even 640.
| Average FICO 8 Score by Generation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Generation | 2022 | 2023 |
| Generation Z (ages 18-26) | 679 - Good | 680 - Good |
| Millennials (27-42) | 687 - Good | 690 - Good |
| Generation X (43-58) | 707 - Good | 709 - Good |
The 2.5 times your income rule
Based on this rule, you would need to earn $100,000 per year to comfortably purchase a $250,000 home.
If a borrower has no other debt obligations, a conforming loan for a $250,000 property with 10% down in a 7% rate environment would require a gross monthly income of approximately $3,870, factoring in a 50% debt ratio. This translates to an annual salary of around $46,450.
The minimum down payment to buy a home with an FHA loan is just 3.5 percent of the home's purchase price. That means the down payment for, say, a $250,000 home would be $8,750 with this type of loan.
The three primary factors that can disqualify you from getting an FHA loan are a high debt-to-income ratio, poor credit, or lack of funds to cover the required down payment, monthly mortgage payments or closing costs.
Does FHA require all 3 credit scores?
Two lines of credit are necessary to apply for an FHA loan. However, in the event a borrower does not have sufficient credit on their credit report the FHA will allow substitute forms.
They may differ by 20 to 25 points, and in some cases even more. When Credit Karma users see their credit score details, they are viewing a VantageScore, not the FICO score that the majority of lenders use. A VantageScore has the same credit score range as FICO, and uses some of the same information as a FICO score.
| Type of Credit | Do You Qualify? |
|---|---|
| Secured Credit Card | YES |
| Home Loan | YES (FHA Loan) |
| Unsecured Credit Card | MAYBE |
| Auto Loan | NO |
The time it takes to raise your credit score from 500 to 700 can vary widely depending on your individual financial situation. On average, it may take anywhere from 12 to 24 months of responsible credit management, including timely payments and reducing debt, to see a significant improvement in your credit score.
What is the easiest loan to get approved for? The easiest types of loans to get approved for don't require a credit check and include payday loans, car title loans and pawnshop loans — but they're also highly predatory due to outrageously high interest rates and fees.
