What is the best credit score for a mortgage rate?

The best credit score for the best mortgage rate is 770 to 850, according to Freddie Mac. People who have credit scores from 700 to 769 are still very likely to qualify for loans, although people who have credit scores of 650 or below may have trouble getting conventional loans.

Mortgage lenders like to see borrowers who have an established pattern of timely payments and a good credit usage mix, such as a car loan and two credit-card accounts, according to Bankrate. Lenders analyze an applicant's debt levels, how long he has had credit, how many recent credit inquiries have been made on his account and other factors, all of which help determine credit scores.