Can You Buy a House With No Credit?

It's possible to get a mortgage if you don't have a credit score, but you'll probably have to look harder to find the right lender — and be prepared to provide extra documentation to show a record of paying bills on time.

Here's what to know.

What are credit history, credit report and credit score?

• A traditional credit history is a record of how someone has repaid debts such as car and student loans, mortgages and credit cards.

• Your history is contained in credit reports compiled by the three major credit-reporting companies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

• A credit score is a three-digit number based on information in someone's credit reports. Two of the most important elements are whether a person has a history of making on-time payments and the amount of money they owe compared with their available credit. Lenders use credit scores to assess the likelihood that applicants will repay money they borrow.

If you've never taken out a loan, had a credit card or been an authorized user on someone's credit account, then you may not have a credit report or credit score.

The difference between bad credit and no credit

• Bad credit means you've had some missteps and your credit score is low. A score below 630 on a scale of 300-850 is typically considered a bad credit score. You may be able to qualify for a mortgage with a credit score in the 500s or low 600s, but you'll pay a higher interest rate than a borrower with good credit.

• No credit means you don't have a track record of handling credit accounts, so you don't have a credit score. With no credit score to go on, it's more challenging for lenders to gauge the risk of loaning you money.

» MORE: How to buy a home with bad credit

Getting a mortgage with nontraditional credit

Traditional credit data refers to information about credit card accounts, loans and mortgages. Nontraditional credit data is information about your history of making regular payments for things like rent, utilities and insurance.

Government-backed home loans allow lenders to use nontraditional credit data to evaluate borrowers who don't have credit scores. They include:

• FHA loans, backed by the Federal Housing Administration. They are open to first-time and repeat home buyers.

• USDA loans, backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These loans are for rural home buyers.

• VA loans, backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Only active and veteran military members and some surviving spouses are eligible.

It's also possible to get a conventional loan without a credit score. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored enterprises that drive many of the underwriting decisions lenders make, have guidelines for evaluating conventional borrowers with no traditional credit.

Each loan program and lender has its own requirements, but generally to qualify with nontraditional credit you'll need to have made 12 months of timely payments for at least two to three types of continuing obligations, such as housing, utilities and insurance.

Be prepared to provide documentation of your payment history, such as canceled checks, money order receipts and account statements. The lender may also order a special report from a company that verifies rent, utility, phone and other payments.

Shop mortgage lenders

Not all lenders consider nontraditional credit, so you'll need to shop around and compare a few that do. Contact lenders and talk to loan officers to learn about your options.

Be aware that lenders have tightened their requirements since the COVID-19 pandemic began, so it may be harder than usual to find one that will work with you. Lenders continue to be cautious, given an increase in mortgage delinquency rates in the second quarter and the ongoing recession, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

How to build credit

To make it easier to qualify for loans, you can take steps to build a traditional credit history.

Secured credit cards and credit-builder loans are two ways to get started. Secured cards are backed by a cash deposit. With credit-builder loans, you make payments, and the amount you borrow is held in a bank account. You can't access any of the money until you've repaid the loan.

To build a good credit history,

• Pay your bills on time.

• Keep credit balances under 30% of your credit limits.

• Maintain a mix of accounts.

» MORE: How to build credit