10/08/2026
Can You Buy a Home With Bad Credit?
You want to buy a home, but there's one thing making you hesitate:
Your credit.
Maybe you've had late payments. Maybe you're carrying high credit card balances. Perhaps there are collections on your credit report, or your score simply isn't where you want it to be.
So, does bad credit automatically mean you can't buy a house?
Not necessarily.
A lower credit score can make getting a mortgage more challenging and potentially more expensive, but it doesn't automatically eliminate every path to homeownership.
The key is understanding where your credit stands, what lenders may consider, and what you can improve before applying.
What Does “Bad Credit” Actually Mean?
There isn't one universal credit score that every mortgage lender considers “bad.”
Different lenders and mortgage programs have different requirements.
Your credit score is also only one part of your financial profile. Mortgage lenders may consider factors such as:
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