The Credit Score Myth Holding Buyers Back in Sioux Falls, SD

Author Amy Stockberger | Founder, Amy Stockberger Real Estate | Creator, Lifetime Home Support™ Academy | Partner, ProInsight – helping agents scale with Relational Tech™ | Ranked the #1 Real Estate Team in South Dakota since 2017 and #33 in the Nation by Real Trends

A lot of would-be homebuyers in Sioux Falls, SD aren’t sitting on the sidelines because they don’t want to buy — they’re waiting because they believe they can’t. And more often than not, the reason comes down to one thing: their credit score.

According to a Bankrate survey, 42% of Americans believe they need excellent credit to qualify for a mortgage. In Sioux Falls, SD, we hear this all the time from renters who assume buying a home just isn’t realistic yet. But that assumption is often based on a myth — not the full picture.

Why This Matters in Sioux Falls, SD

The housing market in Sioux Falls, SD continues to attract first-time buyers, relocations, and investors — especially in areas like the south side, Tea, Harrisburg, and established neighborhoods near downtown. As inventory shifts and competition normalizes, more buyers actually have opportunities right now.

But misinformation around credit requirements is keeping many qualified buyers from even starting the conversation. That hesitation can cost buyers time, equity growth, and options — especially in a market like Sioux Falls, SD, where homeownership remains a powerful long-term wealth tool.

You Don’t Need Perfect Credit to Buy a Home

Part of the confusion is that the average buyer today has a strong credit profile. According to data from the New York Federal Reserve, the median credit score for homebuyers is around 775. But that does not mean you need a score that high to qualify.

Tip 1: Many buyers purchase with credit scores in the 600s.
Tip 2: There is no universal credit cutoff.
Tip 3: Conversations create clarity.

How Amy Stockberger Real Estate Can Help

At Amy Stockberger Real Estate, we don’t believe buyers should navigate this alone. Our Lifetime Home Support™ model is built to guide you before, during, and long after the purchase.

●  Connecting you with trusted local lenders

●  Helping you evaluate rent-vs-buy timing

●  Providing clarity and strategy without pressure

●  Supporting you long-term with our Home Support Team

Our team is here to serve — before, during, and forever.

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