Can I get a house with an 800 credit score?
Is 800 a good credit score to buy a house? The short answer is yes, it is, and it can help you land the most competitive mortgage rates as well.
Generally, the rule of thumb is you'll need to have a credit score above 760 in order to receive the best terms on loans and/or mortgages. In other words, having a credit score of 800 puts you within the top credit score range and will help you qualify for the best terms, whether it's for a mortgage or a personal loan.
If you qualify for a loan and can afford it, there isn't necessarily a limit to how much you can borrow with an 800 credit score. You may be able to take out: A personal loan for $100,000. A car loan for $250,000.
| FICO Score | National average mortgage APR |
|---|---|
| 660 to 679 | 7.589% |
| 680 to 699 | 7.375% |
| 700 to 759 | 7.198% |
| 760 to 850 | 6.976% |
It might be exciting to aim for 850, the highest possible FICO score, but it really comes with no additional benefits. According to credit expert John Ulzheimer, a 760 will get you the best mortgage rate and a 720 score is all you need for the best interest rate for an auto loan.
How rare is an 800 credit score? An 800 credit score is not as rare as most people think, considering that roughly 23% of adults have a credit score in the 800-850 range, according to data from FICO. A score in this range allows consumers to access the best credit card offers and loans with the most favorable terms.
A 750 credit score is Very Good, but it can be even better. If you can elevate your score into the Exceptional range (800-850), you could become eligible for the very best lending terms, including the lowest interest rates and fees, and the most enticing credit-card rewards programs.
Your 800 FICO® Score falls in the range of scores, from 800 to 850, that is categorized as Exceptional. Your FICO® Score is well above the average credit score, and you are likely to receive easy approvals when applying for new credit. 21% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Exceptional range.
Just 29 percent of applicants with “exceptional” credit (800-850) have been rejected. Americans can improve their chances of getting approved by strengthening their credit score and lowering their debt-to-income ratio.
Consider yourself in “good” shape if your credit score is above the average for people in your age group. Given that the average credit score for people aged 18 to 25 is 679, a score between 679 and 687 (the average for people aged 26 to 41) could be considered “good”.
Can you get a FHA loan with a 800 credit score?
You don't need a score as high as 800 to buy a home (though it certainly helps). Some types of loans have no minimum credit score requirements, and FHA loans can be had with a score as low as 500 for qualified borrowers.
The bottom line
What is a perfect credit score? If you have an 850 credit score, your credit is perfect — but any credit score over 800 is considered exceptional, and that's just as good.
A conventional mortgage is not backed by the government, providing competitive interest rates and terms. To qualify for a no-money-down conventional mortgage, you'll typically need a credit score of at least 620 and a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of no more than 43%.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans need at least a 580 FICO Score with at least a 3.5% down payment (which amounts to $10,500 on a $300,000 home). Conventional loans require a minimum FICO® Score of 620 along with a 3% down payment (which amounts to $9,000 on a $300,000 home).
You'll usually need a credit score of at least 640 for the zero-down USDA loan program. VA loans with no money down usually require a minimum credit score of 580 to 620. Low-down-payment mortgages, including conforming loans and FHA loans, also require FICO scores of 580 to 620.
For a conventional mortgage in California, you typically need a minimum score of at least 600. If you qualify for certain government-backed loans, however, you may be able to buy a home with a score as low as 500.
The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024. Credit scores, which are like a grade for your borrowing history, fall in the range of 300 to 850.
Only a little over 20% of consumers ever earn a score of 800 or higher. Why? People with 800 credit scores use credit differently than the vast majority of credit users. Sure, they do some of the same things you do: never miss a payment, try to keep their credit utilization low, and scan their credit report for errors.
Fewer than one-fourth of U.S. adults have credit scores of 800 or higher. Generally speaking, it takes a rather long history of responsible credit behavior to build your score to this level. A credit score of 825 tells lenders that you are highly likely to pay back money that you borrow.
| Age Bracket | 2022 |
|---|---|
| 18–25 | 679 (Good) |
| 26–41 | 687 (Good) |
| 42–57 | 706 (Good) |
| 58–76 | 742 (Very Good) |
What is the average credit score by age?
The credit score required and other eligibility factors for buying a car vary by lender and loan terms. Still, you typically need a good credit score of 661 or higher to qualify for an auto loan. About 69% of retail vehicle financing is for borrowers with credit scores of 661 or higher, according to Experian.
While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.
The best credit card for a 800 credit score is the Chase Sapphire Preferred because it offers an initial rewards bonus of 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, as well as 1 - 5 points per $1 spent on purchases. The card charges a $95 annual fee.
With an 800 credit score, you can breathe easy — you will typically qualify for most financial products and get among the very best rates. That may not be the case if you are relatively new to credit, however, because lenders look for more than a high score.
