Grab the Made 4 More app for the most accurate home listings—no personal info sold. See your options with confidence and start your homebuying journey today!

Let’s clear something up right away: most would-be buyers aren’t avoiding the housing market because they don’t want to buy. They’re waiting because they think they can’t. And nine times out of ten, the roadblock they point to is their credit score.

Sound familiar? You check your score, wince a little, and tell yourself, “Yeah… homeownership isn’t happening anytime soon.”

But what if that story you’re telling yourself isn’t actually true?

Let’s break down the biggest credit myth holding buyers back—and why it’s time to stop letting it run the show.

The Big Myth: You Need Perfect Credit to Buy a Home

A surprising number of Americans believe you need spotless, elite-level credit to qualify for a mortgage. In fact, surveys show nearly 42% of people think “excellent credit” is required just to get approved.

No wonder renters feel stuck. When asked why they haven’t bought yet, “my credit isn’t good enough” comes up again and again.

Here’s the problem: that belief is outdated—and flat-out wrong.

Why This Myth Won’t Die

Part of the confusion comes from looking at today’s average buyer. According to New York Fed data, the median credit score for recent homebuyers is around 775. That sounds intimidating, right?

But here’s the catch:

Median doesn’t mean minimum.

Plenty of buyers are getting mortgages with scores well below that number. In fact, data shows that 10% of buyers purchased homes with scores around the mid-600s. Some were higher, some lower—but they still bought.

Think of it like going to the gym. Just because the strongest person there benches 300 pounds doesn’t mean you can’t walk in and start lifting too.

There Is No Magic Credit Score Cutoff

Here’s something most people don’t realize: there’s no universal credit score requirement to buy a home.

FICO itself says lenders don’t all play by the same rulebook. Each lender has their own comfort level with risk, their own loan programs, and their own way of looking at the full picture—income, debt, savings, employment, and more.

Translation?

Your credit score is a factor—but it’s not the factor.

What Actually Matters More Than You Think

Yes, your score matters. But lenders also care about:

• Your payment history (are you improving?)
  
  
• Your debt-to-income ratio
  
  
• Your job stability
  
  
• Your cash reserves
  
  
• The type of loan you’re using
  
  

This is why two buyers with the same credit score can get completely different results.

That’s also why guessing where you stand without talking to a lender is like diagnosing yourself using Google. It usually leads to unnecessary panic.

If Credit Has Been Holding You Back, Read This Twice

If you’ve been waiting because you think your score “isn’t there yet,” it might be time for a reality check—not a delay.

Many buyers who thought they needed years to prepare found out they were much closer than they believed. And even if you’re not ready today, a good lender can show you exactly what to fix—and how fast.

Bottom Line: Your Credit Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect—It Just Has to Be Understood

Your credit score isn’t a locked door. It’s more like a sliding scale. And without expert guidance, most people assume it’s slammed shut when it’s actually wide open.

If buying a home has felt out of reach because of credit, let’s change that narrative.

📞 Call or text us at 855-935-MORE and we’ll connect you with trusted local experts who can help you understand your real options—not the myths.