FHA Loan Requirements · San Antonio & Alamo Ranch, TX

FHA Minimum Score

The minimum credit score for an FHA loan is 580 — here's what that number actually means for you

Q: What is the lowest credit score to qualify for an FHA loan?

FHA requires a minimum credit score of 500 to qualify at all, and 580 to qualify for the low 3.5% down payment option. Below 580, most lenders require 10% down instead.

Q: Can I get an FHA loan with a 500 credit score?

Technically yes, FHA guidelines allow scores as low as 500, but you'll need at least a 10% down payment and very few lenders actually originate loans that low. Most lenders set their own overlay well above FHA's published minimum.

Q: Does a higher credit score get me a lower FHA interest rate?

Yes. FHA loans use loan-level price adjustments tied to credit score, so a score in the 620-679 range or higher typically unlocks a meaningfully better interest rate than a score sitting at 580.

Q: What credit score do lenders in San Antonio actually want to see?

While FHA's floor is 580, most San Antonio lenders prefer to see 620 or higher for the smoothest approval, better pricing, and fewer conditions during underwriting.

Q: Do you only work with homebuyers in San Antonio?

The Credit To Keys Program is available to homebuyers anywhere in Texas, but Troy Casanova focuses specifically on San Antonio and the Alamo Ranch area, where he works directly with local lenders and underwriters.

Q: How fast can I raise my credit score before buying a house?

With a targeted plan — disputing errors, paying down revolving balances, and correcting reporting issues — many buyers see meaningful score movement within 30 to 45 days, though results vary by starting credit profile.

580 gets you FHA's low 3.5% down payment. Drop to 500–579 and you're still eligible, but the down payment jumps to 10%. Below 500, FHA won't approve the loan at all.

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The Breakdown

FHA credit score requirements, by the numbers

580+
Full FHA eligibility
3.5% down payment

500–579

Eligible, higher down payment tier

10% down payment

Below 500

Not eligible for FHA financing

Repair required first

580 gets you in the door. It doesn't get you approved.

FHA sets the floor — but almost no lender actually originates loans right at that floor. Most San Antonio lenders run their own "overlay" on top of FHA's minimum, meaning they quietly want to see more before they'll say yes.

On top of the score itself, underwriters are also weighing your debt-to-income ratio, any open collections, and how clean the last 12 months of your credit report look. A 580 with active collections is a very different file than a 580 with a clean report — even though the number on the screen is identical.

620+

What most SA lenders prefer

30–45

Days to see real score movement

3.5%

Down payment once you clear 580

If your score is sitting below where a lender actually wants it, the fix usually isn't "wait a year and hope." It's a targeted 30–45 day plan — disputing errors, restructuring revolving balances, and clearing what's actually holding the number down.

Licensed Realtor®

Troy Casanova

Texas License #827126
Casanova Realty Solutions

This isn't a call center reading you a script.

I'm a licensed Texas REALTOR® based in San Antonio, focused on the Alamo Ranch area — I sit across the table from local lenders and underwriters every week, so I know exactly where the 580 minimum stops being enough, and what actually needs to happen to get a file approved.

I built the Homebuyer Credit & Purchase Readiness Review for renters in San Antonio and Alamo Ranch who keep hearing "you're not quite there yet" and want a straight answer on how far away they really are — and a plan to close the gap. The program is open to homebuyers anywhere in Texas, but San Antonio and Alamo Ranch are where I focus.

Common Questions

FHA credit score, answered directly

What is the lowest credit score to qualify for an FHA loan?

500, technically. But 580 is the number that unlocks the standard 3.5% down payment most buyers actually plan around.

Can I get an FHA loan with a 500 credit score?

FHA guidelines allow it, but very few lenders originate loans that low, and you'll need 10% down instead of 3.5%.

Does a higher credit score get me a lower FHA interest rate?

Yes. FHA pricing is tied to score bands, so moving from 580 into the 620–679 range or higher typically improves your rate.

What credit score do lenders in San Antonio actually want to see?

Most local lenders prefer 620+ for a smoother approval, even though FHA's published floor is 580.

Do you only work with homebuyers in San Antonio?

The Credit To Keys Program is available anywhere in Texas, but I focus specifically on San Antonio and the Alamo Ranch area, where I work directly with local lenders and underwriters.

How fast can I raise my credit score before buying a house?

With a focused plan, many buyers see meaningful movement in 30–45 days — though every credit file is different.

Find out exactly where your score stands

Free Homebuyer Credit & Purchase Readiness Review — a straight answer on your FHA eligibility and a personalized plan to close the gap.

No cost, no obligation. This review is not a mortgage pre-approval or a guarantee of loan eligibility. Individual results vary based on your full credit and financial profile.

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