08/24/2026
You do NOT need an 800 credit score to buy a house in Hampton Roads.
That number gets thrown around so much that you might think homeownership is reserved for people with perfect credit.
It isn’t.
Depending on your loan program and lender, you may have options with a credit score well below 800.
For example, Virginia Housing offers certain home loan options with credit scores as low as 620. FHA loans can allow scores of 580 or higher for maximum financing, while VA loans have no minimum credit score requirement set by the VA itself. Individual lenders can still set their own requirements.
And your credit score is only one piece of the puzzle.
Lenders also look at things like your income, debts, credit history, assets and ability to afford the monthly payment.
So if you’re sitting on a 620, 650, 680 or 700 thinking, “I guess I need to wait until my score hits 800,” you may be waiting unnecessarily.
The better question is:
“What loan options could I qualify for with the credit profile I have today?”
If you’re thinking about buying in Hampton Roads, let’s look at your options before you count yourself out.
Your credit score might not be the reason you can’t buy.
You might simply need to know which door to knock on.