Lenders often approve lower scores if other financial areas are strong:

: Showing 2–6 months of mortgage payments in savings demonstrates stability.

: The VA itself sets no minimum credit score, though individual lenders like Rocket Mortgage often require at least 580. Benefit : $0 down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance.

These programs are designed for buyers with lower credit scores and limited savings. : The most common path for bad-credit buyers. 580+ Score : Qualify with a 3.5% down payment. 500–579 Score : Qualify with a 10% down payment.

: Use AnnualCreditReport.com to find and dispute inaccuracies that might be unfairly lowering your score. How To Buy Rental Property With No Money Down In 2026

: Aim for a DTI below 43% to show you can manage payments.

: The seller acts as the lender, often with more flexible credit requirements in exchange for a larger down payment or higher interest rate.

: Includes standardized pricing and mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) regardless of credit score.