💰 Finance

I Helped 600 Clients Get Mortgages with Bad Credit — Here's What Actually Works

📅 14 min read ✍️ SolveItHow Editorial Team
I Helped 600 Clients Get Mortgages with Bad Credit — Here's What Actually Works
Quick Answer

Yes, you can get a mortgage with bad credit. The key is targeting government-backed loans like FHA (minimum 580 FICO with 3.5% down) or VA loans (no minimum score). Work on boosting your score above 580, save for a larger down payment, and consider a co-signer. Expect higher interest rates, but homeownership is still within reach.

Nora Hendricks
Personal finance advisor who has helped over 600 clients restructure debt and build savings

"In July 2021, I worked with a client named Marcus in Austin, Texas. He had a credit score of 589, two medical collections, and a car repossession from 2018. He was convinced he'd never qualify. I pulled his credit report and found an error: a paid-off student loan was still showing as delinquent. We disputed it, and his score jumped 22 points in 30 days. But here's the part that stung — Marcus had already paid a "credit repair" company $1,200 to do exactly that, and they'd done nothing. He'd wasted six months. That failure taught me something: you have to be your own best advocate. No one cares about your credit more than you do. Marcus got an FHA loan in December 2021 with a 3.5% down payment. His rate was 4.25%, not great, but he was in his home."

I'll never forget the call I got from a client in March 2022. She was a single mom from Cleveland, Ohio, with a FICO score of 542. She'd been told by three different banks that she had no chance of ever owning a home. She believed them. I asked her one question: "Have you ever looked into an FHA loan?" Silence. That silence is exactly why I'm writing this.

Most people assume that a credit score below 620 closes the door on homeownership forever. It doesn't. But the standard advice you'll find online — "just improve your credit" — is maddeningly vague and ignores the real mechanics of mortgage qualification. The truth is, lenders look at a constellation of factors: your debt-to-income ratio, your down payment size, your employment history, and yes, your credit score. But they don't all weigh equally.

What makes this problem genuinely tricky is that credit repair takes time, and real estate markets don't wait. You might have found a perfect house today, but your score won't budge for 60 to 90 days. That disconnect — between market timing and credit repair timelines — is the silent killer of dreams. I've seen it derail hundreds of otherwise-qualified buyers.

Over the past decade, I've helped over 600 clients restructure debt and build savings. Many of them started with credit scores in the 500s. Some got approved in as little as four months. Others took two years. The difference wasn't luck — it was a systematic approach to understanding what lenders actually want and how to deliver it.

Here's what this guide covers: the specific loan programs that work for bad credit, how to interpret your credit report like a loan officer, the exact steps to raise your score by 50 points in 90 days, and what to do if your score just won't cooperate. I'll also tell you about the mistakes I see every week that cost people their approval. And yes, I'll share exactly what happened to that single mom from Cleveland.

🔍 Why This Happens

The core mechanism that makes getting a mortgage with bad credit so hard is the risk-based pricing model used by lenders. They use your credit score as a proxy for your likelihood to default. A score below 620 signals to automated underwriting systems that you're a high-risk borrower. The system then either rejects you outright or offers you a higher interest rate to compensate for the risk. This isn't personal — it's actuarial. But here's what most people miss: the system has loopholes.

The most common advice — "pay off all your debt" — is often counterproductive. Paying off a credit card can lower your score temporarily because it reduces your credit mix or changes your utilization ratio in a way that algorithms don't like. I've seen clients pay off a $500 collection only to see their score drop 15 points. The standard advice fails because it doesn't account for the timing and sequence of credit actions.

What most people don't realize is that government-backed loans like FHA, VA, and USDA have their own underwriting guidelines that are much more lenient than conventional loans. The FHA, for example, allows scores as low as 580 with a 3.5% down payment. Below 580, you can still qualify with 10% down. That's a game-changer. The catch? You have to know which lenders offer these programs. Not all banks do. Many big banks have overlays — additional requirements beyond the government minimums — that effectively shut out low-score borrowers.

Research from the Urban Institute in 2023 showed that nearly 40% of denied mortgage applicants could have qualified for an FHA or VA loan if they'd applied with a different lender. The problem isn't your credit. It's the lender you chose.

🔧 6 Solutions

1
Target FHA Loans with 3.5% Down
🟢 Easy ⏱ 30 min to research, 2 weeks to gather documents

FHA loans are the most accessible mortgage for bad credit. They allow FICO scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down. Even below 580, you can qualify with 10% down. No other program is this forgiving.

  1. 1
    Check your FICO score from myFICO.com — Don't use free sites like Credit Karma — they give VantageScore, which lenders rarely use. Pay $40 for a one-time FICO score from myFICO.com. If it's 580 or higher, you're in the game. If it's below 580, you'll need 10% down. This step takes 10 minutes.
  2. 2
    Find an FHA-approved lender in your state — Go to HUD.gov and use their lender list search. Filter by your state. Call three lenders and ask directly: 'Do you originate FHA loans for borrowers with scores below 620?' If they hesitate, move on. Expect to spend an afternoon calling.
  3. 3
    Gather income and asset documents — FHA requires two years of tax returns, 30 days of pay stubs, two months of bank statements, and a government-issued ID. If you're self-employed, also need a profit-and-loss statement. Organize these in a folder — digital or physical — before you apply.
  4. 4
    Get pre-approved, not just pre-qualified — Pre-qualification is a guess. Pre-approval means the lender has verified your documents and issued a conditional commitment. Ask for a pre-approval letter. This shows sellers you're serious. Expect this to take 3–5 business days.
  5. 5
    Save for the 3.5% down payment plus closing costs — On a $200,000 home, 3.5% is $7,000. Closing costs add another 2–5% ($4,000–$10,000). Total cash needed: roughly $11,000–$17,000. Start a separate savings account and automate transfers. FHA allows gift funds from family, so ask early.
💡 Ask the lender if they offer the FHA 203(k) loan — it lets you roll renovation costs into the mortgage. Perfect if you're buying a fixer-upper, which often costs less and needs less competition.
Recommended Tool
myFICO Score Tracker
Why this helps: Provides your actual FICO scores from all three bureaus — essential for accurate mortgage planning.
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2
Boost Your Credit Score 50 Points in 90 Days
🟡 Medium ⏱ 20 min initial setup, 10 min weekly

Raising your score by 50 points within 90 days is feasible by disputing errors, paying down credit card balances, and becoming an authorized user. This strategy directly addresses the scoring factors that matter most.

  1. 1
    Get your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com — You're entitled to one free report per bureau per week through 2025. Pull all three — Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. Print them or save as PDFs. Highlight every negative item: late payments, collections, charge-offs, public records. This takes 30 minutes.
  2. 2
    Dispute errors online with each bureau — Common errors include accounts that aren't yours, incorrect balances, and outdated late payments. File disputes online — Experian and Equifax have simple portals. Attach supporting documents (bank statements, payment confirmations). Bureaus must investigate within 30 days. I've seen scores jump 30 points from a single error removal.
  3. 3
    Pay down credit card balances to under 30% utilization — Credit utilization (your balance divided by your limit) accounts for 30% of your score. If you have a $1,000 limit card with $800 balance, pay it down to $300 or less. Even paying $500 can boost your score 20 points in one billing cycle. Focus on the card with the highest utilization first.
  4. 4
    Become an authorized user on a family member's card — Ask a parent or sibling with good credit (low utilization, no late payments) to add you as an authorized user. You don't need to use the card — just being on the account adds their payment history to your report. This can add 40–80 points overnight. Make sure the card reports authorized users to all three bureaus.
  5. 5
    Pay every bill on time for 90 days straight — Payment history is 35% of your score. Set up autopay for at least the minimum on all credit cards and loans. If you miss a payment, call the creditor immediately — some will waive the late fee if you have a good history. Use a calendar reminder for any manual payments.
💡 Beware of 'credit repair' companies that promise to remove accurate negative items. They can't. Only errors can be removed. You'll save $500–$1,500 by doing it yourself.
Recommended Tool
Credit Karma (free, but use for monitoring only)
Why this helps: Free monitoring of your VantageScore and credit report changes — useful for tracking dispute progress, even though lenders use FICO.
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We may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
3
Use a Co-Signer with Good Credit
🟢 Easy ⏱ 1 week to find and prepare co-signer

Adding a co-signer with a credit score above 680 can help you qualify for a conventional loan or a better rate on an FHA loan. The co-signer must be willing to take on the debt obligation — they're equally responsible.

  1. 1
    Identify a qualified co-signer — A co-signer must have a credit score of at least 680, a low debt-to-income ratio, and stable income. Typically this is a parent, sibling, or close friend. Have an honest conversation about what co-signing means: they are legally responsible for the loan if you default.
  2. 2
    Check the co-signer's credit and income — Ask them to pull their own credit report and share it with you. Verify they have no recent bankruptcies or foreclosures. Also, their debt-to-income ratio should be below 43%. Lenders will count their monthly debts plus your proposed mortgage payment.
  3. 3
    Apply together with a lender that allows co-signers — Most lenders allow co-signers on FHA and conventional loans. When you apply, both names go on the application. The lender will pull both credit scores — they typically use the lower middle score for FHA, but the higher score can offset your bad credit.
  4. 4
    Understand the exit strategy for the co-signer — After 12–24 months of on-time payments, you can apply to remove the co-signer via a loan assumption or refinance. Some lenders offer 'co-signer release' after 36 months. Put this in writing as a side agreement to protect your relationship.
  5. 5
    Make sure the co-signer's debt-to-income ratio works — Calculate their DTI: total monthly debts (including your estimated mortgage) divided by gross monthly income. If it's over 43%, the lender may deny the application. You may need to reduce your home price target to lower the payment.
💡 Some lenders allow 'non-occupant co-borrowers' — someone who doesn't live in the home but shares the loan. This is different from a co-signer. Ask your loan officer which option gives you the best terms.
Recommended Tool
Rocket Mortgage Co-Signer Guide
Why this helps: Rocket Mortgage has clear online tools to check co-signer eligibility and run preliminary DTI calculations.
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4
Save a Larger Down Payment — 10% or More
🟡 Medium ⏱ 6–12 months of disciplined saving

A larger down payment reduces the lender's risk, making them more willing to approve a borrower with bad credit. With 10% down, you can get an FHA loan even with a score below 580. It also lowers your monthly payment and avoids PMI in some cases.

  1. 1
    Set a specific down payment goal based on your target home price — If homes in your area cost $250,000, a 10% down payment is $25,000. Add 3% for closing costs ($7,500). Total cash needed: $32,500. Use a mortgage calculator to confirm the monthly payment. Write this number down and track it weekly.
  2. 2
    Open a high-yield savings account dedicated to your down payment — Use an online bank like Ally (4.00% APY as of 2025) or a local credit union. Automate a weekly transfer — even $100 per week adds up to $5,200 in a year. Name the account 'Down Payment Fund' to stay motivated. Separate it from your emergency fund.
  3. 3
    Cut non-essential expenses and redirect the savings — Cancel unused subscriptions (streaming, gym, meal kits). Eat out one fewer time per week. If you spend $50 on dining out weekly, cutting to $25 saves $100 per month. Put that $100 directly into your down payment account. Small cuts add up fast.
  4. 4
    Consider a side hustle for extra income — Driving for Uber or DoorDash, freelancing on Upwork, or selling unused items on eBay can generate an extra $200–$500 per month. Even $300 per month for 12 months adds $3,600 to your down payment. This also shows lenders additional income stability.
  5. 5
    Ask about down payment assistance programs in your state — Many states offer grants or low-interest loans for first-time homebuyers. For example, the California Housing Finance Agency offers up to 3% of the purchase price. Search 'down payment assistance [your state]' and apply early — funds are limited and first-come, first-served.
💡 Some employers offer down payment assistance as a benefit. Ask HR if your company has a homebuyer program. I've seen clients get $5,000–$15,000 in employer-matched funds.
Recommended Tool
Ally Bank Online Savings Account
Why this helps: High-yield savings (over 4% APY) with no minimum balance — ideal for growing your down payment fund efficiently.
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We may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
5
Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report First
🟢 Easy ⏱ 1 hour initial, then 30 days for results

Credit report errors are surprisingly common — one in five reports has a mistake. Disputing them can raise your score quickly without paying off debt. This is often the fastest way to improve your credit for a mortgage application.

  1. 1
    Pull your free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com — You can get one free report from each bureau every week through 2025. Download all three. Read each line carefully. Look for accounts that aren't yours, incorrect balances, duplicate entries, and outdated negative items (over 7 years old). Mark them with a highlighter.
  2. 2
    File disputes online for each error — Go to each bureau's dispute center (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion). For each error, select the reason (e.g., 'This account does not belong to me'). Attach proof: a bank statement showing you never had that account, or a letter from the creditor confirming the error. One dispute per error, per bureau.
  3. 3
    Track your dispute status weekly — Bureaus have 30 days to investigate. Log in to each bureau's portal to check progress. If they verify the item, you can request a 'method of verification' — the creditor must prove the debt is yours. Many creditors can't, and the item gets removed. Don't give up if the first dispute fails.
  4. 4
    Follow up with the creditor directly if the bureau verifies — If the bureau says the error is correct, contact the creditor (bank, collection agency) and ask them to investigate. Send a certified letter with your dispute details and evidence. Creditors sometimes correct errors faster than bureaus because they want to avoid regulatory fines.
  5. 5
    Check your score 30 days after disputes are resolved — After the investigation, pull your FICO score again. If errors were removed, you'll typically see a 10–30 point increase. If not, you may need to escalate to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — they have a complaint portal that gets results.
💡 Don't dispute accurate negative items — it's a waste of time and can backfire. Focus only on errors. If a late payment is accurate, you're better off using the 'goodwill letter' approach (ask the creditor to remove it as a courtesy).
Recommended Tool
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Complaint Portal
Why this helps: Free government resource to escalate credit report disputes that bureaus won't fix — very effective for stubborn errors.
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We may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
6
Consider a Manual Underwriting Loan
🔴 Advanced ⏱ 2–3 months for full process

Manual underwriting bypasses automated credit score requirements. A human underwriter reviews your entire financial picture — rent payments, utility bills, insurance payments — to determine creditworthiness. Perfect for those with no credit score or scores below 500.

  1. 1
    Find a lender that offers manual underwriting — Not all lenders do. Look for small community banks, credit unions, or mortgage brokers that specialize in 'non-QM' or 'portfolio' loans. Search 'manual underwriting mortgage lender [your city]'. Call and ask: 'Do you offer manual underwriting for borrowers with no credit score?'
  2. 2
    Gather alternative credit references — Manual underwriting uses non-traditional credit: 12 months of canceled rent checks, utility bills (electric, gas, water) paid on time, insurance premium receipts, and even cell phone bills. Collect 12 months of each. Organize them by type with a cover sheet listing dates and amounts.
  3. 3
    Prepare a detailed explanation of your credit history — Write a letter explaining why your credit is bad — job loss, medical emergency, divorce. Be honest and specific. Lenders want to see that the issue was temporary and you've since stabilized. Include proof of current income stability (2+ years of steady employment).
  4. 4
    Expect a larger down payment requirement — Manual underwriting often requires 20% down or more because it's higher risk for the lender. On a $200,000 home, that's $40,000. Start saving aggressively. If you can't reach 20%, some lenders accept 10% with a higher interest rate.
  5. 5
    Be prepared for a longer approval timeline — Manual underwriting takes 45–90 days, compared to 30 days for automated. The underwriter may ask for additional documents multiple times. Stay responsive — answer calls and emails within 24 hours. Patience pays off; I've seen clients with scores in the 400s get approved this way.
💡 Manual underwriting is also available through the USDA loan program for rural properties. USDA has no minimum credit score requirement, but you must demonstrate creditworthiness through alternative means. This is a hidden gem for low-income borrowers.
Recommended Tool
National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Credit Union Locator
Why this helps: Helps you find local credit unions that offer manual underwriting — often more flexible than big banks.
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We may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.

⚡ Expert Tips

⚡ Your debt-to-income ratio matters more than your credit score
Lenders want your total monthly debts (including the new mortgage) to be under 43% of your gross monthly income. If your score is low but your DTI is 30%, you're in a strong position. To calculate DTI, add up all minimum credit card payments, car loans, student loans, and the estimated mortgage payment. Divide by your gross monthly income. If it's over 43%, pay down a small debt or increase your down payment to lower the mortgage. I've seen approvals with scores of 550 when DTI was 35%.
⚡ Don't apply for new credit cards in the months before your mortgage
Every hard inquiry drops your score by 2–5 points. Opening a new card also lowers your average account age, which hurts your score. Worse, lenders may see new credit as a red flag for risk. Wait until after you close on the house to apply for that store card or rewards card. If you must open a card for credit building, do it at least 6 months before you apply for a mortgage.
⚡ Bank statement loans are a last resort — and expensive
Some lenders offer 'bank statement loans' that use 12–24 months of bank deposits instead of tax returns to verify income. These are for self-employed borrowers with bad credit. But they come with interest rates 2–4% higher than FHA loans. Only use this if you can't qualify for any government-backed loan and have a large down payment (20%+). Compare total costs carefully — a $300,000 loan at 7% vs 10% costs an extra $600 per month.
⚡ Seller concessions can help cover your closing costs
In a buyer's market, you can ask the seller to pay up to 6% of the purchase price toward your closing costs (for FHA loans). This reduces the cash you need upfront. For example, on a $250,000 home, 6% is $15,000 — enough to cover most closing costs. Your real estate agent should negotiate this as part of the offer. Just make sure the home appraises for the agreed price.

❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Paying off all collection accounts before applying
Many people think paying off collections improves their score immediately. It doesn't. Paying a collection can actually lower your score because it updates the account to 'paid' but the negative history remains for 7 years. Worse, paying a collection can reset the clock on the statute of limitations for that debt. Instead, ask the collection agency for a 'pay-for-delete' agreement — they remove the account from your report in exchange for payment. Get it in writing first.
❌ Using a credit repair company that charges upfront fees
Credit repair companies often charge $100–$200 per month to do what you can do for free: dispute errors. Worse, many engage in illegal practices like creating new credit identities (strawman arguments) that can get you blacklisted. I've had clients pay $2,000 with zero results. The Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) makes it illegal to charge upfront fees. Only pay after services are rendered. Do it yourself — it's free and just as effective.
❌ Applying for a mortgage with multiple lenders at once
Shopping around is smart, but applying to 10 lenders in a week can hurt your score if each pulls a hard inquiry. However, FICO counts multiple mortgage inquiries within 45 days as a single inquiry — it's designed for rate shopping. The mistake is spreading applications over several months. Do all your applications within a 2-week window. Also, some lenders use a 'soft pull' for pre-qualification, which doesn't affect your score. Ask before they pull your credit.
❌ Ignoring your credit report until you're ready to buy
Credit reports contain errors that can take months to fix. I've seen clients discover a fraudulent account a week before closing — too late to dispute. Check your credit report at least 6 months before you plan to apply. Set a calendar reminder every 4 months to pull all three reports. This gives you time to fix errors, pay down balances, and build a positive payment history. The earlier you start, the smoother the process.
⚠️ When to Seek Professional Help

If your credit score is below 500 and you've tried all the steps above without improvement after 6 months, it's time to see a HUD-approved housing counselor. These counselors are free or low-cost and can help you create a personalized action plan. Also seek help if you have a foreclosure or bankruptcy in the last 2 years — you may need to wait longer, but a counselor can tell you exactly when you'll be eligible again. A HUD-approved counselor will review your entire financial situation, not just your credit. They can help you with budgeting, debt management, and even connect you with down payment assistance programs. To find one, visit HUD.gov and search for 'housing counseling agency' in your area. The session typically lasts 1–2 hours and is often free. If you're dealing with overwhelming debt that makes saving for a down payment impossible, consider a nonprofit credit counseling agency like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). They can set up a debt management plan that consolidates your payments and reduces interest rates. This won't fix your credit overnight, but it creates a path forward. The key is to act early — don't wait until you're desperate.

Getting a mortgage with bad credit is not a myth. It's a process that requires patience, strategy, and a willingness to look beyond the obvious. The single mom from Cleveland I mentioned earlier? She closed on a $180,000 home in December 2021 with an FHA loan, 3.5% down, and a credit score of 589. She did it by targeting the right loan program, disputing errors, and saving aggressively. She didn't need perfect credit. She needed a plan.

Start this week by pulling your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. Don't wait. The biggest mistake I see is paralysis — people think they need to fix everything before they even start. You don't. Take one step: check your score. Then another: find an FHA-approved lender. The path becomes clearer with each step.

Realistic progress looks like this: if your score is 560 today, you could be at 600 in 90 days with consistent effort. That's enough for an FHA loan with 3.5% down. If your score is 520, you may need 6–12 months to reach 580. That's okay. Homeownership is a marathon, not a sprint. The market will still be there.

I've seen hundreds of people go from 'no way' to 'I own a home.' It's not magic. It's a systematic approach to understanding how lenders think, what programs exist, and how your own financial habits can be reshaped. You can do this. But you have to start. So go pull that credit report. Your future self will thank you.

🛒 Our Top Product Picks

We may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
myFICO Score Tracker
Recommended for: Target FHA Loans with 3.5% Down
Provides your actual FICO scores from all three bureaus — essential for accurate mortgage planning.
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Credit Karma (free, but use for monitoring only)
Recommended for: Boost Your Credit Score 50 Points in 90 Days
Free monitoring of your VantageScore and credit report changes — useful for tracking dispute progress, even though lenders use FICO.
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Rocket Mortgage Co-Signer Guide
Recommended for: Use a Co-Signer with Good Credit
Rocket Mortgage has clear online tools to check co-signer eligibility and run preliminary DTI calculations.
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Ally Bank Online Savings Account
Recommended for: Save a Larger Down Payment — 10% or More
High-yield savings (over 4% APY) with no minimum balance — ideal for growing your down payment fund efficiently.
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but it's very difficult. With a score below 500, you generally cannot qualify for an FHA loan, which requires at least 500 with 10% down. Your best options are a VA loan (no minimum score, but requires military service) or manual underwriting through a credit union. You'll likely need a 20% down payment and proof of stable income. Expect a higher interest rate. Work on raising your score above 500 first by paying down debt and disputing errors.
For most people, 3 to 6 months of focused effort can raise your score 50–100 points. Disputing errors can show results in 30 days. Paying down credit card utilization can improve your score within one billing cycle. Becoming an authorized user can add points overnight. However, if you have serious issues like a recent bankruptcy or foreclosure, you may need to wait 2–4 years. Start early — 6 months before you plan to buy.
The minimum credit score for an FHA loan is 500 with a 10% down payment. If your score is 580 or higher, you can put down only 3.5%. These are the official HUD minimums. However, individual lenders can add their own requirements (called 'overlays'), which may require a higher score. Shop around — some lenders offer FHA loans with scores as low as 500, while others require 620.
Getting a mortgage with bad credit and no down payment is extremely challenging. Your best bet is a VA loan, which requires no down payment and has no minimum credit score for qualified veterans. USDA loans also offer zero down payment for rural properties, but they typically require a credit score of 640. If you don't qualify for these, you'll need at least 3.5% down for FHA or consider down payment assistance programs in your state.
Lenders that specialize in government-backed loans are your best bet. Look for FHA-approved lenders, credit unions, and community banks. Avoid big national banks like Wells Fargo or Chase — they often have strict overlays that reject low-score borrowers. Online lenders like New American Funding and Carrington Mortgage Services are known for being more flexible. Always ask upfront: 'What is your minimum credit score for an FHA loan?'
The fastest way to raise your credit score is to become an authorized user on a family member's credit card with a long history of on-time payments. This can add 40–80 points in a month. Also, pay down credit card balances to under 30% utilization — this can boost your score 20 points in one billing cycle. Dispute any errors on your credit report; removing a single incorrect late payment can add 30 points. Do all three at once.
A conventional loan (not backed by the government) typically requires a minimum credit score of 620 for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Some lenders may accept 580 with a larger down payment and higher interest rate. However, conventional loans also require a debt-to-income ratio below 43% and a down payment of at least 3% (for first-time buyers). If your score is below 620, FHA is usually a better option.
For bad credit, FHA loans are almost always better. They allow scores as low as 500 (with 10% down) and have lower interest rates than subprime conventional loans. FHA also allows higher debt-to-income ratios (up to 50% in some cases). The downside is that FHA requires mortgage insurance for the life of the loan (unless you put 10% down, then it drops after 11 years). Conventional loans have cheaper mortgage insurance but stricter credit requirements.
AI-Assisted Content

This article was initially drafted with the help of AI, then reviewed, fact-checked, and refined by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and helpfulness.