Above 800 there is little extra to gain on a standard conventional loan. The meaningful pricing jumps happen on the way to 780. First, a myth worth clearing up: when a pricing grid changes on a set date, nothing shifts for you on that day, because the market prices the change in well before it takes effect. Do not build a plan around a calendar deadline. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac price conventional loans using loan-level price adjustments, the LLPA grid, which rewards higher credit scores in tiers. Recent versions split the top of the grid into 740 to 759, 760 to 779, and 780 and above, where a single 740-plus tier used to cover all of it. So the practical target for the best conventional pricing is at least 760, ideally 780 or higher. The tiers and exact adjustments change, so confirm the current grid when you price a loan. Crossing 800 adds three smaller things on top of that: - Rate: little on a standard conventional loan, since the grid tops out at the 780-plus tier. - Mortgage insurance: PMI pricing keeps improving incrementally as your score climbs, so a very high score can shave that cost. - Niche corners: some jumbo and non-QM lenders offer slightly better pricing to very high-FICO borrowers to lift the average credit profile of their loan pools. So an 800-plus score is a nice cushion. The money is made getting to 780.