FHA home loans come with the most attractive interest rates since the loan is insured by the FHA. The qualification requirements are simple and flexible.
UPDATE July 2026: Due to the Treasury market influencing the funding costs for mortgage-backed securities, interest rates for credit scores under 580 for FHA and 550 for VA may not be available. Unfortunately we cannot forecast for how long this market environment will continue. If you believe your scores are lower than stated above feel free to apply and we can help you know your chances to increase your scores via a paid rescoring service from the 3 bureaus. Thanks.
The following program only applies to the purchase of a primary residence.
Low Credit Score Home Loan Programs: Get Home Loans for Bad Credit at Most Attractive Interest Rates
Have you recently been denied a mortgage loan over credit scores? Has your loan been denied over late payments older than 12 to 24 months still showing on credit or maybe over debt-to-income ratios? If the answer to these questions is yes, Clear Lending, one of the best mortgage lenders for low credit scores, offers Home Loans for Bad Credit in Houston at best interest rates. Furthermore, Clear Lending also provides possible solutions for cases where debt-to-income ratios were slightly higher than needed.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) home mortgage loan programs are among the most popular first-time home buyer loans in the United States to purchase a home. If you are in Houston, TX and looking to buy a home, Clear Lending can help you get an FHA mortgage loan at the best interest rates.
FHA is a government agency under the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, which ensures first-time home buyer loans to offer low-income homebuyers money to borrow money for property ownership. As a borrower, you would need to pay mortgage insurance to protect the mortgage lenders' interest in case of default.
FHA home loans come with the most attractive interest rates since the FHA insures the loan. The qualification requirements are flexible and straightforward, and one of the trustworthy mortgage lenders for low credit scores, we are committed to helping our clients get the best loan program.
Things You Must Know About the FHA First Time Home Buyer Loan Program:
1. Low Credit Score:
First-time home buyer loans are one of the best home loans for low FICO credit scores in Houston because of their minimum credit score requirements. If you have a Credit Score of 580 or higher, you would be able to get a mortgage with just a 3.5 percent down payment. For borrowers with credit scores between 500 and 579, at least a 10 percent down payment is mandatory plus it will be approved on a case by case basis.
Homebuyers under 500 credit scores are generally not eligible for FHA mortgage loans. FHA offers some concessions for applicants without credit history categorized under "nontraditional credit history" or "poor credit scores" and who meet other requirements. However, such mortgage loan applications are treated on a case by case basis, and our mortgage experts will educate you on your eligibility with home loans for bad credit in Houston.
2. Down Payment Source:
There are no significant restrictions on the source of your down payment. Besides your savings, FHA also uses other sources such as grants from local or state down payment assistance programs or family gifts to facilitate homeownership.
3. Closing Costs:
Here too, FHA offers you certain flexibility. Under the FHA loan program, a home seller, lender, or builder can share the borrower's closing costs burden. These include title expenses, origination charges, reserve requirements, and other charges. Also, you have the opportunity to add the closing costs with your mortgage and request the lender to increase the loan's interest rate.
4. FHA Approved Lender:
The Federal Housing Administration is an insurer and not a lender. Therefore an applicant in need of an FHA mortgage loan program will need to apply through approved lenders such as Clear Lending lenders. We maintain a licensing relationship with the best lenders securing our applicants' requests to be supported. The mortgage loan interest rate and its closing costs may vary between lenders. At Clear Lending, we will guide you to Houston and Texas's best interest rate, offering you the absolute best deal.
5. Banks vs Mortgage Brokers:
Applying for an FHA First Time Home Buyer Mortgage Loan Program involves a lot of research. Banks and lenders follow varying underwriting standards with closing costs, and its services are also changing. Add to it that you will have to provide new credit records each time working with Mortgage Brokers offers you many advantages. They require one credit report, which helps you retain high Credit Scores (multiple applications reduce Credit Score) and help you get the loan at the best interest rates.
6. Mortgage Insurance:
Two types of mortgage insurance premiums have been made mandatory by the FHA. First, you must pay an upfront premium of 1.75 percent of the loan amount. You must pay this when you get the loan, and this can also be financed as part of the loan amount. Second, you must pay an annual premium, which has to be paid monthly. This, however, varies depending on the borrowed amount, the term of the loan, and the initial LTV (loan-to-value ratio)
Annual premiums Payable for FHA Loans:
Chargeable @ 0.40% for a 15-year loan with a down payment of less than 10%
Chargeable @ 0.15% for a 15-year loan with a down payment of 10% or more.
Chargeable @ 0.55% for a 30-year loan with a down payment of less than 5%
Chargeable @ 0.50% for a 30-year loan with down payment of 5% or more.
If you want to purchase your dream home, wait no longer, and find out the amount you are Pre-Approved.
At Clear Lending, we help our customers need an FHA Home Loan Program to purchase a home or refinance an existing FHA loan program. Please complete our secure encrypted Pre-Approval Form online, and we shall review it and get back to you with the best options.
Not all applicants will qualify. This advertisement is not an offer for an extension of credit. Please meet with a licensed loan originator for more information as programs are available only to qualified borrowers. Programs rates, fees, terms, and programs are subject to change without notice. Not all loans, loan sizes, or products may apply. Loans are subject to borrower qualifications, including income, property evaluation, sufficient equity in the home to meet loan-to-value requirements, and final credit approval. Approvals are subject to underwriting guidelines and program guidelines and are subject to change without notice. Some restrictions may apply.
First and foremost I want to thank the entire Clear Lending team for this incredible experience. Joan Gallardo was very professional and honest throughout this whole process. He took the time to explain everything step by step and at any time of day. I am a DACA recipient and that wasn't no issue at all for Mr. Joan to get me a loan for the low rate of 3.875% interest. To me that is amazing and very appreciated because other loan companies told me I was not able to get a interest rate like that because I was a DACA recipient. I highly recommend Clear Lending for DACA recipients because they opened the doors for me so I can accomplish my dreams of purchasing my first home. Patricia was also very attentive to my process and helpful every step of the way. Mrs. Rosa Iraheta was my realtor who helped me look for the home and made sure it met all my expectations. I can't thank you enough for all the time and hard work you and the whole Clear Lending team put for me and my family to be here today in our new home. May God bless you all! And Thank you!
I would like to thank the entire team of Clear Lending for making possible my loan after so many attempts. I read the google reviews and I was pretty impressed and so I decided to give a shot. I am so glad I trusted them the loan approval and my home search. This is a crazy market but with patience I was able to accomplish what I have been waiting for so long. I am a veteran and my scores are not the best. Nonetheless Joan, Patti and Jorge made this possible. Thanks again guys I will always be in debt to you all.
Thank you Mr. Joan for the excellent job getting us approved. My wife and I are very pleased with Clear Lending and the staff. From application to closing it has been a smooth process. I am happy I decided to apply after reading all the good reviews. I will recommend your company to anyone seeking a hard working loan officer and real estate agent.