Buying A House For The First Time With Bad Credit May 2026

For veterans and active-duty service members. There is technically no minimum credit score set by the VA, though most lenders look for at least 580–620 .

Standard banks may say no, but these government-backed programs often say yes: buying a house for the first time with bad credit

Some lenders will look at your "non-traditional" credit, such as consistent rent and utility payments, rather than just your score. 🛠️ Immediate Steps to Take For veterans and active-duty service members