Buyer Guide
What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a Home in Utah?
The minimum credit score to buy a home in Utah is 580 for FHA loans with 3.5% down, 620 for most conventional loans, and typically 620 for VA loans (though the VA has no official minimum). The score that gets you the best interest rate is 740 or higher.
Credit score minimums by loan type
Every loan program sets its own floor, and Utah lenders layer their own overlays on top:
| Loan type | Program minimum | Typical lender requirement |
|---|---|---|
| FHA (3.5% down) | 580 | 580-620 |
| FHA (10% down) | 500 | 580+ |
| Conventional | 620 | 620-640 |
| VA | None | 620+ |
| USDA | 580 | 640 |
| Jumbo (over $806,500 in Utah) | 700 | 720-740 |
The “program minimum” is what the loan program itself allows. The “typical lender requirement” is what Utah lenders actually approve, because they add overlays to protect themselves. If one lender says no, another may say yes — shopping around with at least two lenders is worth the effort.
How your score changes your monthly payment
Your credit score sets your interest rate, and your rate determines your monthly payment for the next 30 years. Approximate rate tiers on a 30-year conventional loan in 2026:
| Credit score | Approximate rate | Monthly P&I on $400K loan |
|---|---|---|
| 760+ | 6.25% | $2,463 |
| 720-759 | 6.50% | $2,528 |
| 680-719 | 6.75% | $2,594 |
| 640-679 | 7.00% | $2,661 |
| 620-639 | 7.50% | $2,797 |
The gap between a 620 and a 760 score is about $334/month — or $120,000 over the life of the loan.
Fast credit improvements before buying
If you’re 30-90 days from applying, these moves give you the most lift:
- Pay down credit cards below 30% utilization — biggest single lever, often 20-40 points in one billing cycle
- Don’t close old credit cards — closing reduces your average age of accounts, which hurts your score
- Don’t open new credit — a fresh inquiry can drop your score 5-10 points temporarily
- Dispute errors — 1 in 5 credit reports has an error. Disputing through annualcreditreport.com is free.
Some lenders offer “rapid rescore” which can update your score in 3-5 days after you pay down balances or correct errors. Useful when you’re already under contract.
What if your score is below the minimum?
You have three real options:
- Wait and rebuild — 60-180 days of clean payments and lower utilization usually moves a 580 to 620+.
- Use a credit union or non-QM lender — some Utah credit unions go below standard minimums for members with strong other factors.
- Add a co-borrower — if a spouse, parent, or sibling has stronger credit and income, adding them to the loan uses the lower middle score but can still help with debt-to-income ratios.
When credit isn’t your biggest hurdle
Different loan programs have different credit requirements, so it’s worth comparing options with a licensed lender before assuming your score disqualifies you.
If you’ve been told no for credit reasons, reach out and we can talk through your options and connect you with a licensed lender for a second look.
Your credit score isn’t fate — it’s a current snapshot. Even modest moves before applying can save you hundreds a month for three decades.
Common Questions
Can I buy a house in Utah with a 600 credit score?
Yes. At 600 you qualify for FHA (3.5% down) and possibly VA if you're eligible. Conventional approval at 600 is rare — most conventional lenders require 620+.
What's the minimum credit score for a conventional loan in Utah?
Most Utah lenders set 620 as the conventional minimum, though a few will go to 600 with strong compensating factors (low debt, high reserves, big down payment).
Will my interest rate be much higher with a 660 vs 740 credit score?
Yes. On a $400,000 loan, the rate difference is typically 0.5-1.0%, which translates to $130-$270/month more. Over 30 years that's $47,000-$97,000.
How fast can I raise my credit score before buying?
Paying down credit card balances below 30% utilization can lift your score 20-40 points in one billing cycle. Disputing errors on your credit report can move it 30-60 points in 30-45 days.
Do all three credit bureaus matter for a mortgage?
Yes. Mortgage lenders pull a tri-merge report and use the middle of your three FICO scores (not the average, not the highest). If two borrowers are on the loan, lenders use the lower of the two middle scores.
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