What Credit Score Model & Number do You Need?
- Adam Garrett
- Apr 22
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 20
Below I've compiled some of my previous work, recent research, and efforts of others to share what scores you need to be concerned about when considering a credit card, mortgage, auto loan, or house/apartment to rent. I also go over where to find free scores & some options for paid scores where free ones are unavailable.
Score Models Used for Mortgages
A. With mortgages for houses for individuals, you'll want to focus on FICO scores. The 3 main bureaus to keep in mind are Equifax, Transunion, & Experian.
You can get free monthly FICO scores with partial reports at:
B. With mortgages & other loans for businesses, especially those that can't be aquired via traditional means (i.e. some traditional mortgages may be used on owner-occupant fourplexes) it's important to have a good personal score, but also a good idea to develop good business credit scores. For instance, Dun & Bradstreet use a Paydex score.
Related:
Score Models Used for Renting a House or Apartment
I'd recommend asking a landlord or property manager about what score they use prior to application if your scores vary substantially. If they don't know, ask which software they use, i.e. 1 of the 11 below.
With a number of house/apartment renting options, Vantage scores can be more important than FICO scores, but it highly depends on the software the landlord or property manager are using. For instance, among some of the biggest property management screening/tenant software (per Google AI):
Appfolio primarily uses the Experian VantageScore 3.0. They reportedly don't cause a hard pull, but opinions are mixed.
Buildium uses the TransUnion Resident Score. It typically requires a hard inquiry.
Doorloop uses the TransUnion Resident Score, which is a TransUnion VantageScore 4.0. It results in a hard inquiry.
Entrata uses a complex model that integrates an Experian FICO score & in some cases the OneSite Screening score. Entrata typically causes a hard inquiry.
Innago typically uses Experian Vantagescores. Innago doesn't do hard inquiries.
MRI Software uses AccuScore, a different scoring model w/ little info about it online. That said, they typically don't cause a hard credit inquiry.
RealPage has their own scoring model, but can pull from any or multiple options of the 3 bureaus. They primarily rely on Vantage Score, but may pull FICO as well. They typically perform at least 1 hard inquiry.
Rent Manager typically uses FICO scores (which one can depend) or Rentwise scores. RentManager doesn't cause hard inquiries.
Yardi uses Vantage Score & can pull from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. They can cause a hard pull.
Zillow typically uses Vantage Experian 3.0, & uses a soft credit pull.
Related:
Score Models Used for Credit Cards
I. Doctor of Credit has a solid list of which credit bureau is pulling scores out of 9 major credit card issuers. That said, while the best info I could find was there, it's a good idea to check elsewhere for more updated info, as most data points used are a decade old or more at the time of this article's publication.
Here is information from Doctor of Credit's list, including additional links to their full breakdowns that can show data points by state (which are best to look at when percents vary), w/ %s rounded below due to low number of data points (though better than anything else I've seen):
American Express (issued by Amex): 90% Experian, 10% TransUnion
Bank of America: Experian 82%, TransUnion 11% or Equifax 7%)
Barclaycard: 94% TransUnion, 4% Experian, 1.5% Equifax
Capital One: All 3 bureaus
Chase: Depends on state
Citi: 53% Experian, 38% Equifax, 9% Transunion
Discover: 52% Equifax, 25% Experian, 23% TransUnion
US Bank: 52% TransUnion, 25% Experian, 24% Equifax
Wells Fargo: 47% Experian, 37% TransUnion, 17% Equifax
II. Another place for data is the CreditBoards forum where Doctor of Credit got their data after you apply filters based on your state and the past 5 years, though recent data points appear much more limited in the past 5 years (<10%) than they were when Doctor of Credit originally published their list.
III. Another place to look is Google (including AI), i.e. a search for where Amex checks in VA, though don't be surprised if AI provides old info due to limited online info.
IV. If looking to acquire a business credit card, it's also best to check your chances via Nav.com, which offers both paid and free accounts.
Related:
Score Models Used for Auto Loans
Per GOOGLE AI, In the US, often automakers & used car dealers are using FICO Autoscores, less often Vantage Scores & even less often traditional FICO scores. Creditvision, a Transunion score, is also sometimes used. A FICO auto score prioritizes auto-specific credit history more than a traditional FICO or Vantagescore model would. While I haven't been able to find a free Autoscore, FICO's paid subscription option includes one with Autoscores.
I'd recommend asking an auto issuer about what score they use prior to application if your scores vary substantially.
The best 2 places where the general public can go for 2 of 3 credit bureaus scores are:
https://www.myfico.com/ free Equifax scores
Keep in mind that with the above, every time you sign in &/or go to the site they may ask you if you want to "upgrade", which is a paid upgrade. Feel free to decline like I do.
I have the linked article above with more details and different breakdowns, but here's one element pulled from that article with FICO scores in black or teal & non-FICO scores or non 850 max FICO scores in red. Institutions that provide no score are in gray. It's best to sign in to your respective account before clicking the links below, as they'll prompt you to sign in if you didn't already. Banks & credit unions typically require some form of an account before you can get the score:
1st Advantage Credit Union: Vantage Transunion
Amex (Vantage mostly though there are some examples of true FICO scores depending on the account)
Bayport Credit Union - Vantage Transunion
BB&T - Vantage Equifax
Chase - Vantage Experian (unless you have the Chase Slate)
Chase if you have the Chase Slate - Experian
Citi (Bankcard 900 max model - details)
Credit.com (VantageScore 3.0 Experian)
Credit Sesame (VantageScore 3.0 Transunion)
Creditkarma - Vantage Equifax/Transunion
DCU - checking +credit card (both, not either unless you receive direct deposits into your checking) - Equifax Classic Risk Score 2008 (EQ-08). - Equifax
Discover - Transunion (if you're an account holder of Discover It or Discover More)
First National Bank Omaha - Experian Bankcard Enhanced FICO score 2008 (EX-08 bankcard enhanced, range of 250-900)
Kikoff (paid service) - Vantage scores per Nerdwallet
Huntington Bank (if credit card holder) - Equifax
Merrick Bank (Transunion 250-900)
Partners 1st - bank account holders - Transunion
Synchrony - no score/report provided
Towne Bank - no score/report provided
Wallethub-Vantage Transunion
Walmart Discover card or Walmart credit card - Transunion
Wellsfargo.com (if you're an account holder) - Experian
See also Doctor of Credit's List of "A Comparison of Free FICO Scores from Banks & CUs" published in 2017.
What Score(s) do You Need?
If you're not purchasing in cash, & if not using a product where credit score is not considered (i.e. NACA mortgages or some landlords you can filter out on MyHousingSearch who don't check credit) the score you'll need highly depends on the model used, but many of the models have a max of 850. Out of those, here's the range by US population for Experian FICO 8 & then Experian Vantage Score 8, which are relatively similar to the range for other FICO & Vantage score types that cap at 850:
The score you need will depend highly on the situation, but your options will be best in the top 50 percentile, & the higher, the better.
Some mortgage loans aren't possible at certain credit scores, some programs to reduce home cost aren't possible without certain credit scores, and the lenders' policies can vary greatly as well even with the same loan type. If you bring a large down payment to the table, that can sometimes help. While there are plenty of exceptions, generally speaking:
620+ for Fannie Mae (major type of conforming conventional loan)
620+ for Freddie Mac (major other type of conforming conventional loan)
500+ VA Loans - no VA minimum, but most lenders have a 620+ minimum, with a smaller number of lenders having 580+ limits, and an even smaller number having loans available to those with 500+ credit scores
When seeking to rent a house or apartment, minimum credit scores can vary substantially depending on who you are renting from. While rare, some landlords don't even check credit. If you look online or at property management companies, the minimum numbers vary widely. I've seen as low as 550 among a property management company, and I've seen plenty of 580's. Expect to pay a higher security deposit if your score is below 600, and in some cases, even a 620 won't be enough to get approved.
Auto loans can be more flexible than mortgages on auto loans, but the difference in the rate you pay can be much more based on credit on an auto loan vs a mortgage loan.
Credit cards' score required varies substantially on the type of the card, the issuer, & more. For instance, some secured cards can be acquired with extremely low scores or no scores at all. While 700 isn't enough for all cards, the further you are above 700, the more cards you'll be able to get, while declines on "good unsecured cards" are much more likely with a number of cards below 700, and especially below 600. Again, rates can vary substantially based on score. Retail co-brand cards are easier to get, but tend to have higher average APRs.
There are other factors involved as well like total & loan specific debt-to-income ratios for mortgages & auto loans & payment to income ratios especially for rent.
Related:
How Does Score Impact Interest Rate?
Mortgage Rates by Credit Score
FICO® Score | 30-year Conventional | 15-year Conventional | 5/6 ARM |
620 | 7.89% | 6.48% | 7.01% |
640 | 7.72% | 6.48% | 6.88% |
660 | 7.61% | 6.46% | 7.1% |
680 | 7.55% | 6.46% | 6.82% |
700 | 7.42% | 6.46% | 6.93% |
720 | 7.38% | 6.45% | 6.99% |
740 | 7.26% | 6.45% | 6.89% |
760 | 7.18% | 6.45% | 6.83% |
780 | 7.07% | 6.45% | 6.84% |
800 | 7.07% | 6.45% | 6.84% |
820 | 7.07% | 6.45% | 6.84% |
840 | 7.07% | 6.45% | 6.84% |
Source: Curinos LLC, January 3, 2025; assumes a $350,000 mortgage and 30-day rate-lock period
If paying PMI or MIP due to putting <20% down on a typical conventional or FHA loan, credit score can impact your payment drastically as well.
Low scores can also bump up homeowners insurance, in some cases to more than double the cost for high credit scores vs low credit scores.
Auto Loans | Average APRs for New Car Loans | Average APRs for Used Car Loans |
Credit Score Range | New Car Loan | Used Car Loan |
Super prime (781 - 850) | 4.77% | 7.67% |
Prime (661 - 780) | 6.40% | 9.95% |
Near prime (601 - 660) | 9.59% | 14.46% |
Subprime (501 - 600) | 13.08% | 19.38% |
Deep subprime (300 - 500) | 15.75% | 21.81% |
Source: Experian data as of Q4 2024; VantageScore 4.0 credit scores used
Per Bankrate, "On average, drivers with poor credit pay 105 percent more for full coverage car insurance than those with excellent credit." In my state of Virginia, those with bad credit pay $4,357 on average, while those with good credit pay $1718 on average. While illegal in some states, most states allow auto insurers to consider credit scores, & it impacts most rates in states where legal.
Here is the median purchase APR on credit cards by Credit Tier per combined data from CBA & CFPB:
Institution Size | Poor Credit (credit score 619 or less) | Good Credit (credit score 620 to 719) | Great Credit (credit score 720 or greater) |
Large | 28.5% | 28.2% | 23.0% |
Small(CFPB calculation; includes credit unions) | 20.6% | 18.2% | 15.2% |
Small(CBA calculation; excludes credit unions) | 26.3% | 23.5% | 18.3% |
About the Author:
Adam Garrett has been a full-time 3rd generation real estate agent for over a decade in SE VA assisting buyers & sellers of real estate. He has also been playing a relatively unique role since 2018 in managing his real estate firm's credit card acquisitions & travel hacking part-time to maximize the company's return on spend.
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