: Available to veterans and active service members. While the government sets no minimum score, many lenders look for at least 580 . They often require 0% down and no monthly mortgage insurance.
: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently moved toward a "broader risk-factor analysis" rather than a hard minimum score, though most private lenders still prefer at least 620 . Recommended Lenders (April 2026)
Buying a home with bad credit is entirely possible in 2026, though it typically requires using government-backed loan programs or providing a larger down payment. Most lenders consider a FICO score below to be "bad credit," while scores between 580 and 669 are categorized as "fair". Core Loan Options for Bad Credit
: These are the most accessible option for low-credit buyers. 580+ Score : Requires as little as 3.5% down . 500–579 Score : Possible with a 10% down payment .
: Available to veterans and active service members. While the government sets no minimum score, many lenders look for at least 580 . They often require 0% down and no monthly mortgage insurance.
: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently moved toward a "broader risk-factor analysis" rather than a hard minimum score, though most private lenders still prefer at least 620 . Recommended Lenders (April 2026) looking to buy a house with bad credit
Buying a home with bad credit is entirely possible in 2026, though it typically requires using government-backed loan programs or providing a larger down payment. Most lenders consider a FICO score below to be "bad credit," while scores between 580 and 669 are categorized as "fair". Core Loan Options for Bad Credit : Available to veterans and active service members
: These are the most accessible option for low-credit buyers. 580+ Score : Requires as little as 3.5% down . 500–579 Score : Possible with a 10% down payment . : Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently moved