Can I get an FHA loan with bad credit?
Often yes — FHA is generally more flexible on credit than conventional. The minimum FHA credit score is 500 with 10% down or 580 with 3.5% down, but most lenders set their own floor at 580 or higher. What matters as much as the score: recent payment history (last 12 months clean is meaningful), automated underwriting findings, residual cushion, and lender overlays.
What this actually means.
FHA is the access program. Credit scores in the 580–620 range are common on FHA files, and 500–579 may qualify with 10% down at the small set of lenders that fund that band. What 'bad credit' actually means matters more than the score: a 580 with a clean recent year is different from a 650 with three 30-day lates last quarter. Recent collections, unpaid charge-offs, fresh bankruptcies (Ch7 typically 2-year wait, sometimes earlier with extenuating circumstances), foreclosures (typically 3-year wait), and disputed accounts each have their own treatment. Automated underwriting and manual underwriting respond differently to the same file. Subject to FHA/HUD guidelines and lender overlays.
What this looks like on a real file.
Where this can move.
Recent late payments, thin credit history, disputed accounts, lender overlays, and automated underwriting findings can change the answer.
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Educational only. FHA guidelines, lender overlays, rates, fees, and underwriting requirements can change. Final eligibility depends on full underwriting review. Mortgage Expert, Inc. is not affiliated with HUD, FHA, or any government agency.