If your credit score is below 620, these programs are often the most accessible paths to homeownership:
: Offered by specialized lenders for those with significant credit events like recent bankruptcies or foreclosures. Can I Buy a House With Bad Credit? can someone with bad credit buy a house
: 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 . If your credit score is below 620, these
: 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 . A score of 580 typically requires just a 3
: 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.