: A higher score provides a "buffer" if other parts of your application (like your debt-to-income ratio) are less than perfect. 2017 Market Context

Following the tighter credit restrictions after the 2008 financial crisis, 2017 saw a slight loosening of credit standards. However, the average credit score for closed mortgages remained high, often averaging above , as lenders remained cautious and prioritized "prime" borrowers.

Your credit score doesn't just determine if you can get a loan; it determines how much that loan will cost you over 30 years.