Mortgage Navigator methodology
What “Published Minimum FICO” means
A transparent standard for every state DPA guide.
Our rule going forward
Every researched DPA guide will include a Published Minimum FICO field when a current official program source publishes one. If the score varies by first-mortgage type, servicer, assistance structure or property type, we show the variation. If the official public material does not establish one universal number, we say so instead of guessing.
Minimum does not mean approved. AUS findings, DTI, loan type, mortgage insurance, property type, agency rules and lender/servicer overlays can require a higher score.
Current standardized state summary
| State | Examples of published floors | Important nuance |
|---|---|---|
| California | CalHFA: generally 660–680 | Depends on program/borrower factors; other DPA providers use separate matrices. |
| Arizona | Product/matrix specific | No single public Arizona IDA score should be applied across every underlying loan product. |
| Texas | TDHCA: 620; TSAHC generally 620 government / 640 certain conventional | Exact product controls. |
| Florida | Florida Housing: 640 | Local SHIP programs may differ. |
| Oklahoma | OHFA: 640 | Local/national programs may differ. |
| Nevada | HIP 640; rural options can start at 620 | Servicer and manufactured-home rules can raise the floor. |