Updated October 2026 by Texas Made Mortgage, Frisco, TX.
Quick answer: Yes. At Texas Made Mortgage, VA and FHA loans are available from a 580 credit score for qualified buyers. FHA pairs 580 with its 3.5% minimum down payment; VA at 580 can still be zero down for eligible veterans with full entitlement. Conventional loans generally start around 620. Below 580, FHA guidelines allow 500 to 579 with 10% down, and some non-QM programs go lower, but pricing and lender overlays get tighter. A 580 score gets you in the door; the rest of the file decides the terms.
Which loan programs accept a 580 score?
FHA: 580 with 3.5% down. The whole down payment can be gift funds. Mortgage insurance is based on loan amount, not score, so a 580 and a 720 pay the same monthly premium.
VA: The VA sets no minimum; our lender minimum is 580. No down payment in most cases, no monthly mortgage insurance, and residual income rules that protect you from overextending.
Conventional: Generally 620 and up. At 580 this is not the path yet.
Non-QM and ITIN: Program dependent. Some accept 580 or lower with larger down payments and reserves.
What does a 580 score cost compared with a 680?
On FHA, very little in the monthly insurance, because FHA's premium does not change with score. The interest rate is where it shows up: lenders price by credit tier, and a 580 file sits in the highest-cost tier. On conventional loans the gap is much wider, which is why FHA is usually the better fit under 660 unless you have a large down payment.
What else does the file need at 580?
Twelve months of on-time rent or mortgage payments. Recent late housing payments are the fastest way to turn a yes into a no.
A debt-to-income ratio inside program limits. FHA is more flexible here than conventional. Estimate yours with the DTI calculator.
Stable, documented income. Two years in the same line of work is the usual benchmark.
Reserves help. A month or two of payments in the bank after closing strengthens a lower-score file.
No unpaid collections that the program requires you to address. Ask before paying anything off; timing matters.
What happens below 580?
FHA technically allows 500 to 579 with 10% down, but many lenders do not offer it. VA lenders typically hold at 580 or higher. Non-QM programs exist but cost more. For most buyers under 580 the better plan is a 60 to 120 day credit push, then apply.
How do you move from 580 to 620 or higher quickly?
Pay every account on time for the next three to six months. Payment history is the biggest factor.
Pay credit card balances down below 30% of their limits, ideally under 10%. Utilization updates fast.
Do not open new accounts or close old ones.
Pull your reports free at annualcreditreport.com and dispute real errors.
Ask your loan officer for a rapid rescore once balances are paid; it can update scores in days rather than a billing cycle.
More detail in how to improve your credit score before applying.
Should a 580 buyer wait?
Sometimes a 90-day wait that lifts the score into the next tier saves real money over the life of the loan. Sometimes buying now with FHA and refinancing later after the score recovers is the better path, especially when rent is rising. We run both scenarios and tell you which is cheaper for you.
Frequently asked questions
Does a pre-qualification hurt my 580 score?
A soft pull does not. A pre-approval needs a hard pull, which has a small, temporary effect.
Can I get down payment help from family at 580?
Yes. FHA allows the entire down payment to be a documented gift.
Is 580 enough for a jumbo loan?
No. Jumbo files need much stronger credit. Stay inside the conforming limit, $832,750 in 2026.
Want a straight answer on your score and your options? Talk to a loan officer at Texas Made Mortgage in Frisco or call 817-567-8014. A soft pull costs nothing and does not affect your score.
Texas Made Mortgage, NMLS #2676326. This article is general education, not a commitment to lend or an offer of credit. Minimum scores are lender guidelines and vary by program; not all applicants will qualify. All loans subject to credit approval. Equal Housing Opportunity.
