FHA Credit Scores Are Changing: Why Approval Is Only Half the Battle

Mortgage Research Network Podcast · Oct 5, 2026 · 10m

FHA is changing the way lenders can evaluate credit, potentially opening another path to a mortgage for some homebuyers. But getting approved is only part of the equation. You still need to know whether the payment works for your budget — and whether the home itself could come with costs you aren’t expecting.

In this episode, Tim Lucas breaks down the FHA’s upcoming credit-scoring changes, including the addition of VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T. He explains how newer scoring models can look at things like trended credit data and reported rental payments, why they may help some borrowers with…