If your credit score is below 620, these programs are often the most accessible paths to homeownership:

: For homes in designated rural areas. While there is no official minimum, lenders generally look for a score of 640 for automated approval; scores as low as 600 may qualify through manual underwriting.

: Available to veterans and service members. There is no official government-mandated minimum credit score, though many private lenders set their own "overlay" at 580–620 . These often require 0% down .

: Offered by specialized lenders for those with significant credit events like recent bankruptcies or foreclosures. Can I Buy a House With Bad Credit?

: Designed for lower-credit borrowers. A score of 580 typically requires just a 3.5% down payment , while scores between 500–579 usually require 10% down .

Yes, you can buy a house with bad credit in 2026, though it typically requires specific types of loans or higher upfront costs. While many traditional lenders prefer scores of or higher, government-backed programs like FHA loans allow for scores as low as 500 with a 10% down payment. In fact, as of late 2025, even some conventional loan guidelines have dropped strict minimum credit score cutoffs in favor of holistic risk assessments. Best Mortgage Options for Bad Credit