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The Global Insight

What credit score do you need to refinance your mortgage?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on February 09, 2026

620 or higher
In general, you’ll need a credit score of 620 or higher for a conventional mortgage refinance. Certain government programs require a credit score of 580, however, or have no minimum at all.

Can you be denied to refinance your home?

A lender may reject a home refinance application for a multitude of reasons. Chief among them: Weak credit score and credit history: Lenders don’t like to see late payments and collection accounts on a credit report, since they may be indicators of financial irresponsibility.

What is the lowest credit score you can have to refinance your home?

According to FHA guidelines, you must have a minimum credit score of 580 to qualify for an FHA cash-out refinance. Most FHA-insured lenders, however, set their own limits higher to include a minimum score of 600 – 620.

Can I refinance my house with a 600 credit score?

The FHA Cash-Out Refinance program is available to people with credit scores as low as 580. Some lenders may want a score of 600 or higher though. This program has a maximum LTV of 85%, so you won’t be able to qualify if you still own a lot on the home. You’ll need at least 15% equity.

How much income do I need to qualify for a refinance?

You need at least 5% equity to make refinancing a viable option—the more the better. Take a close look at your debt-to-income ratio. Your debt-to-income ratio tells the lender if you can afford your new monthly mortgage payment.

Does your credit score matter when you refinance?

Refinancing can lower your credit score in a couple different ways: Credit check: When you apply to refinance a loan, lenders will check your credit score and credit history. However, the money you save through refinancing, especially on a mortgage, usually outweighs the negative effects of a small credit score dip.

Why would you get denied a refinance?

You have too much debt The most common reason why refinance loan applications are denied is that the borrower has too much debt. If your new mortgage payment puts you above the refinance debt-to-income ratio, your application may be denied.

Can I refinance my home with a fair credit score?

One important thing to remember about refinancing without a credit check: You can only refinance your rate or term. You’ll need to have a minimum credit score of at least 620 if you want to take a cash-out refinance.

How many times is your credit pulled when refinancing?

Credit is pulled at least once at the beginning of the approval process, and then again just prior to closing. Sometimes it’s pulled in the middle if necessary, so it’s important that you be conscious of your credit and the things that may impact your scores and approvability throughout the entire process.

What kind of credit score do I need to refinance my home?

You need a decent credit score — The minimum credit score to refinance typically ranges from 580 to 680, depending on your lender and loan program Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) can’t be too high — If you’ve taken on a lot of credit card debt and other loans, your refinance may not be approved.

Is it possible to refinance your home loan?

It’s possible to refinance your home loan to consolidate bad debts such as credit cards or personal loans, so you’re paying the same low interest rate on these debts as your home loan.

What kind of equity do I need to refinance my home?

When you refinance, you need the minimum equity required by your mortgage program or lender. Those minimums are typically the same as the minimum down payment for buying a home: at least 3% for conforming loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, and nothing for the VA and USDA. Another way to look at minimum equity is maximum loan-to-value ratio (LTV).

Which is the best loan to refinance your mortgage?

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