What is the lowest credit score you can have to get a mortgage?

The answer depends on context

There is no single score that answers this for every lender; the credit history behind the score and the rest of the file matter. A mortgage that works on paper still needs to fit the borrower’s cash flow, property, and longer-term plan. This is best approached as a mortgage-planning question: identify the constraint, quantify the available strengths, and select a lender whose guidelines match both.

There is no universal minimum

In practice, different lender types use different underwriting models. Some rely heavily on credit history, while others place more weight on equity, down payment, property, or the reason financing is needed.

Credit score is only one part

From an underwriting perspective, a low score combined with strong equity and stable income is a different file from a low score with little down payment and recent unpaid obligations.

Think in lender categories

For this particular question, instead of searching for one minimum score, it is more useful to understand whether the file fits prime, alternative, or private lending and what would be required to move to a better category later.

When an alternative lender may fit

Imagine two buyers with the same credit score: one had a temporary setback two years ago and has been current since; the other has several new late payments. A lender may view those files very differently even though the score is identical.

Documents to have ready

• a current credit report and explanation for major negative items
• recent income documents and proof of employment or business activity
• statements showing down payment, home equity, or existing mortgage balances
• a list of monthly debts and any amounts that will be paid out at closing