What Credit Score Do I Need to Buy a Home in Fresno & Clovis?

Your credit score shapes two big things when you buy: whether you qualify, and what interest rate you get. Here in the Central Valley, where a typical home sells in the $400,000s, a few dozen points can change your monthly payment by a couple hundred dollars.

We help buyers across Fresno, Clovis, Kerman, and Madera get mortgage-ready every week. This guide covers what lenders look for, what's changed recently, and what you can do about your score starting today.

Minimum credit score by loan type

Here's where each common loan starts. These are typical floors; individual lenders can set their own higher minimums (called "overlays"), so it pays to talk to more than one.

How your score changes your payment

Lenders price risk. A higher score usually earns a lower rate. Here's an illustration on a $400,000, 30-year fixed loan, roughly what a Fresno or Clovis buyer might borrow on a median-priced home. Rates are examples based on late-October 2026 averages, not quotes.

That's about $274 a month between the top and bottom tiers, or nearly $99,000 over 30 years. Principal and interest only; taxes, insurance, and mortgage insurance are extra. Raising your score before you apply is one of the best returns you'll ever get on a few months of effort.

What goes into your credit score

Most mortgage lenders use FICO scores, which weigh five things:

Which score does the lender actually use?

Lenders pull reports from all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and use your middle score. If your scores are 655, 671, and 690, your qualifying score is 671.

When two people buy together, the rules depend on the loan. FHA and CalHFA programs generally use the lower of the two borrowers' middle scores. For conventional loans run through Fannie Mae's system, the two middle scores are now averaged, which can help couples where one person's credit is stronger.

How to check your score for free

• AnnualCreditReport.com is the official free source for your reports from all three bureaus, available weekly.
• Your bank or card issuer often shows a free score in the app.
• Credit monitoring apps give regular updates.

Free scores are often a different model than the one mortgage lenders use, so expect the lender's number to differ by a bit. Checking your own score never lowers it.

How to raise your score before you buy

Most people can see real progress in three to six months.

• Pay every bill on time. Set up autopay for at least the minimums.
• Pay down card balances. Getting below 30% of each limit often shows results within a month or two.
• Keep old cards open. Closing them shortens your history and shrinks your available credit.
• Hold off on new credit. Skip the new car, furniture financing, or store cards until after closing.
• Dispute errors. Mistakes on credit reports are more common than people expect.
• Ask about a rapid rescore. Once you've paid something down, a lender can sometimes get the bureaus to update in days instead of waiting for the next cycle.

What if my score is under 580?

You still have a path. It just starts with a few months of credit work.

• Make a plan with a lender. Many local loan officers will tell you exactly which items to fix first and how many points each could be worth.
• Try a secured card if you have little credit history. Use it lightly and pay it in full.
• Talk to a nonprofit credit counselor (HUD-approved agencies are a good place to start).
• Ask about manual underwriting for FHA or VA if you have a thin file but a solid rent and utility payment record.

If you're thinking about buying in the next year, start now. Even 30 to 40 points can open up FHA and, later, CalHFA help.

Down payment help for Central Valley buyers

Credit score is also the key to California's assistance programs, which can make a big difference on a $400,000 home.

CalHFA MyHome

A deferred loan for part of your down payment and closing costs, paired with a CalHFA first mortgage. Minimum score is 640, and income limits apply by county.

CalHFA Dream For All

Shared-appreciation help of up to 20% of the price (max $150,000) for first-time, first-generation buyers. Minimum score is 660 or 680 depending on income. The 2026 application window ran from February 24 to March 16 and is now closed. If you'd like to be ready for a future round, getting your score above 680 now is the best head start.

USDA in rural Fresno and Madera counties

Zero-down USDA loans work for eligible addresses outside the main city areas. In the Fresno and Madera metro areas, the household income limit is $124,900 for households of 1–4 people. We can check whether a specific home qualifies before you fall in love with it.

Frequently asked questions