Bad Credit
Can I Get a Non-QM Loan with Bad Credit?
Yes, you can get a non QM loan with a bad credit score in 2026. Non-QM home loans with low credit scores are designed for borrowers who fall outside conventional Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines. Specialty non-QM lenders approve low-credit non QM loans down to 500-580 FICO when borrowers offer strong compensating factors: substantial ... Read more
Can I Get a Mortgage with Unpaid Collections?
Yes, you can get a mortgage with unpaid collections in 2026 — the specific answer depends on loan type, collection type, dollar amount, and individual lender flexibility. FHA loans allow certain collections under standard automated underwriting thresholds and exclude medical collections entirely. VA loans offer significant flexibility with strong compensating factors. Conventional Fannie Mae and ... Read more
VA Mortgages for Bad Credit
VA mortgages remain the most accessible home loan program for borrowers with bad credit in 2026, including military borrowers with FICO scores as low as 500. Unlike conventional and FHA loans that publish strict minimum credit standards, the Department of Veterans Affairs sets NO minimum credit score for VA loan approval. Individual lender “overlays” create ... Read more
Are Non-QM Loans Safe?
For the right borrower, non-QM loans are a safe, well-regulated, and time-tested financing option in 2026. The “non-qualified” label refers to a loan’s regulatory classification, not to loan quality or borrower risk. Non-QM loans still require lenders to verify a borrower’s ability to repay, and a decade of data shows cumulative default rates near 3.8% ... Read more
Can You Get a House with 500 Credit Scores?
Yes, you can buy a house with a 500 credit score in 2026, but your options are limited and the path is more demanding. An FHA loan is the primary route: the Federal Housing Administration allows scores as low as 500, but borrowers in the 500–579 range must put down at least 10%, versus just ... Read more
What is a Non-QM Mortgage Loan?
A Non-Qualified Mortgage or Non-QM loan is a unique type of home loan designed for borrowers who do not meet the strict guidelines set by government-backed and conventional mortgage programs. Unlike traditional conventional loans that follow the rules of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Qualified Mortgage standards, Non-QM loans offer ... Read more
Can I Get an FHA Loan with an Eviction?
Yes, you can get an FHA loan with an eviction in 2026, as evictions do not automatically appear on credit reports and are not a specific FHA disqualifier. Approval depends on whether the eviction resulted in unpaid rent collections, court judgments, or negative rental history that lenders verify. FHA loans require a minimum 580 FICO ... Read more
