Credit score and down payment
By Samprit Biswas, editor · Updated October 8, 2026
Two facts about you move your rate the most: your credit score, and how much of the home's price you put down, which sets your loan-to-value (LTV). The grid shows today's estimate for every pair.
Why they matter
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac buy most mortgages within the conforming loan limit, and charge a fee by credit score and loan-to-value: the loan-level price adjustment. Lenders pass it on as a higher rate. A lower score or a smaller down payment means a larger fee.
Bands, not exact numbers
The fees change only at set bands of score and of down payment. Near a band's edge, a few points of credit score or a little more down can lower your rate; in the middle of a band, they change nothing.
Shorter loans
Fannie Mae's fees apply to loans longer than fifteen years, so our 15-year fixed estimate is the same for every borrower.
With less than a fifth down
A conventional loan with less than a fifth of the price down usually also needs private mortgage insurance, a monthly cost on top of the payment. Our estimates leave it out.
See every credit score and down payment
How to cite this page
InfinityRateWatch. "Credit score and down payment." https://infinityratewatch.com/learn/credit-score-and-down-payment/. Data as of Oct 8, 2026.