How Much Credit do I need for My New Apartment? For Texas Aggie Grads
Howdy y’all! 👋 As a fresh Texas A&M grad stepping into the “real world,” I’ve learned one thing real quick—when it comes to apartment hunting in a new city, your credit score matters more than you think.
When I first started looking at apartments, I honestly thought having a steady job lined up after graduation would be enough. But leasing offices look closely at your financial responsibility, and that’s where your credit comes in.
💳 What Credit Score Do You Really Need?
Most apartments want to see a score of around 600–650 or higher. Some luxury spots or competitive neighborhoods may push that number closer to 700. But here’s the good news—if you’re just starting out and don’t have years of credit history, many apartments will work with you if you meet other requirements (like income or a cosigner).
Think of it like this:
700+ → You’ll likely get approved quickly and maybe even snag better rates on deposits.
650–699 → Usually good enough for most standard apartments.
600–649 → Possible approval, but you may face higher deposits or stricter terms.
Below 600 → Tougher, but not impossible—you may need a guarantor, cosigner, or to pay extra upfront.
📌 My Personal Aggie Grad Lessons
When I applied for my first apartment in my new city, I had a decent score but not a long credit history. They still approved me—but I had to pay a slightly higher deposit. One of my Aggie friends didn’t have much credit at all and had to ask her parents to cosign.
It wasn’t about “bad” credit—it was about “no” credit. And that’s something a lot of new grads run into.
🛠️ What If My Credit Isn’t Perfect?
Don’t panic, Ags—here’s what you can do:
✅ Use a Cosigner or Guarantor – Parents or family can help secure approval.
✅ Offer to Pay a Larger Deposit – Shows the landlord you’re serious.
✅ Show Proof of Income – Offer recent pay stubs or your offer letter from your new job.
✅ Choose Apartments That Work with First-Time Renters – Some communities are more flexible if you’re just starting out.
👍 Final Thoughts
As a new Aggie grad, I realized that credit is just one piece of the puzzle. Your job offer, income, and rental history (if you have any) all matter too. The key is being prepared and honest about your situation.
So if you’re moving to Austin, Houston, Dallas, or beyond—don’t let your credit score stress you out. Just know what’s expected, plan ahead, and be willing to show you’re a responsible tenant.
📣 Fellow Aggies, what was your credit score situation when you got your first apartment? Did you need a cosigner, or did you get approved on your own? Drop your story below—I’d love to hear how other Ags handled it! 👍👇
#AggieGrad #ApartmentHunting #NewCityLife #GigEm
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📲 Call or text me anytime: Grant – 214-492-9791