There's no special Amarillo number. The credit score you need comes down to your loan type. You can get an FHA loan with a score as low as 580, or 500 if you put 10% down, while most conventional loans and Texas assistance programs want around 620. A higher score mostly buys you a lower interest rate, not a yes or a no.
So the real question is which loan fits you, and what your score does to the rate once you qualify. Here are the minimums, what most buyers actually have, and what to do if you're not there yet.
The minimum score by loan type
The floor depends on how the loan is backed, per NerdWallet and HUD's handbook:
FHA loans go as low as 580 with 3.5% down, or 500 with 10% down.
Conventional loans usually want about 620.
VA loans have no score set by the VA, but most lenders look for 580 to 620.
USDA loans have no official floor either, though 640 is the common cutoff for automated approval.
One caveat: lenders add their own rules on top of these, called overlays, so a lender may ask for a higher score than the program's minimum. It pays to shop more than one.
What score most buyers actually have
Minimums are the floor, not the norm. The average credit score in Texas was about 692 in 2025, per Experian, and across the country buyers who locked a purchase loan in August 2026 averaged 734, according to Optimal Blue. So plenty of people buy with scores in the 600s, but most land higher.
Your score mostly sets your rate
Once you clear the minimum, your score mainly moves your interest rate, and that adds up. A borrower near 700 can land a rate close to a full point lower than one near 640. On a $235,000 loan, a point of rate is well over $100 a month, every month, for 30 years. Raising your score 40 or 50 points before you buy can be worth more than any single negotiation at closing.
Texas has help for first-time buyers
If you're buying your first home, state programs can lower the bar on cash, not credit. Most Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and TSAHC programs want about 620, and TDHCA's My First Texas Home asks for 640 on FHA, VA, and USDA loans. These can pair down payment help with a regular mortgage.
If your credit isn't there yet
A low score today is a starting point, not a dead end. Two paths tend to work.
First, fix the score. Our credit restoration help works on the items dragging your number down so you can qualify sooner, often faster than people expect. Pair that with our Affordable Mortgage Payment Program and financing once you're ready.
Second, buy the long way around. Our Lease with Purchase Option lets you move into a home now and apply part of every payment toward buying it, so you live in the house while your credit catches up. When you're ready to shop, you can see what we're building on our new construction homes page.
Frequently asked questions
What credit score do you need to buy a house in Amarillo, TX?
It depends on the loan. FHA goes as low as 580, or 500 with 10% down, while conventional loans and most Texas programs want about 620. A higher score lowers your rate rather than deciding approval by itself.
Can I buy a house in Amarillo with a 580 credit score?
Often yes, through an FHA loan with 3.5% down. Some lenders ask for more than the FHA minimum, so compare a few.
What is the lowest score that can get a mortgage?
FHA allows 500 with 10% down. Below that, the usual path is to raise your score first or use a rent-to-own option while you do.
Does a higher credit score save money?
Yes, mainly on the interest rate. Moving from the low 600s to around 700 can cut close to a full point, which is well over $100 a month on a typical Amarillo loan.
What if my credit is too low right now?
You still have options. Credit restoration can lift your score, and our Lease with Purchase Option lets you move in and build toward buying while you work on it.
Ready to find out where you stand?
The fastest way to know what you qualify for is to run your real numbers with us. We'll tell you straight, and if your score needs work, we'll show you the path to get there. Call 806-557-3813 or contact us to get started.
