: Adding the partner to a long-standing, low-balance credit card account of the high-credit spouse can raise their score within days .
: If neither of you can qualify alone, a family member with strong credit can co-sign to bolster the application . 2. Choose the Right Loan Type buying a house when one person has bad credit
Lenders typically look at the "lower middle score" between both applicants on a joint mortgage, meaning one low score can lead to higher interest rates or outright denial . : Adding the partner to a long-standing, low-balance
Buying a home when one partner has poor credit is achievable through several strategic paths, most notably by if the high-credit partner has sufficient income, or by utilizing government-backed loans like FHA, which have more lenient credit requirements . 1. Evaluate Application Strategies Choose the Right Loan Type Lenders typically look
Scores between may still qualify but require a 10% down payment .
: These are popular for credit challenges, requiring only a 580 score for a 3.5% down payment .