Can I Qualify for a Mortgage or Home Equity Loan With No Documented Income, No Credit Score, or No Credit History at All?
Often, yes, but the path is different for each. Loans without income documents are mainly for investment properties and qualify you on rent or assets instead. Having no credit score can often be handled with other payment records, like rent and utilities. And no credit history doesn't rule out VA loans or other manually underwritten loans built around that same kind of record.
Last updated September 29, 2026Can I get a mortgage without income documents?
Mainly for investment properties, not a home you'll live in. There are two common setups: one qualifies you on the property's expected rent compared with the payment (a debt service coverage ratio loan), and the other looks at your savings and investments instead of a paycheck. As a matter of practice, lenders in our network apply a minimum loan amount of around $100,000 on these investment programs, so check early if you need less.
What if I have no credit score or history?
No score is a different problem from a low score, and often an easier one. Fannie Mae's automated underwriting can approve a borrower with no score using nontraditional credit, like 12 months of on-time rent or utility payments; it generally needs at least two such references, and manual underwriting generally needs more. A co-borrower with an established credit score can also meet the requirement.
To start building a file, a secured or starter credit card, used lightly and paid in full each month, is a common first step. FICO generally needs about six months of history on an account before it can produce a score.
What if my score is very low?
Well below the range FHA and other programs are built for, most lenders won't approve a mortgage regardless of your equity or down payment. As a score climbs, options open up. FHA works with a score of 580 or higher for its lowest down payment. VA sets no minimum score of its own, and veterans with no credit history can often qualify through manual underwriting based on other payment records. For conventional loans, Fannie Mae no longer applies a fixed 620 minimum on loans run through its automated system, though it still applies to manually underwritten loans, and many lenders keep their own 620 minimum.
It depends on your situation:
- No credit score or history: use a co-borrower with established credit, or document a year of rent and utility payments.
- A score well below FHA's range: most lenders will decline for now.
- A score from 580 to 619: FHA is often the more workable option.
- A veteran with no score: VA financing may work through manual underwriting.
- No income documents, buying an investment property: a rent-based or asset-based program may apply, with a minimum loan size.
| FHA | 580 or higher for the lowest down payment |
|---|---|
| VA | No VA minimum score; manual underwriting available |
| Conventional (Fannie Mae) | No fixed 620 minimum for automated approvals; 620 for manual underwriting; lenders may require more |
| No-score borrower, automated underwriting | At least two nontraditional references, like 12 months of rent |
| Starting a credit file | About six months of history before a FICO score |
Related questions
- minimum credit score to qualify
- what Income Counts Toward Qualifying for a Mortgage
- can Social Security, Retirement, or Pension Income Qualify Me to Buy a Home, and What Price Range Does It Support
- does Rental or Other Nontraditional Income Count Toward Mortgage Qualifying
- what determines your mortgage rate quote
Sources
- https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-5.4-02/number-and-types-nontraditional-credit-references
- https://delawaremortgageloans.net/no-more-620-minimum-score-fannie-maes-new-rule-explained
- https://corr.pennymac.com/announcements/announcement-25-119
- https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/40001-hsgh-update15-052024.pdf
- https://www.fha.com/fha_article?id=200
- https://compliancealliance.com/news-events/newsletter/march-2020-newsletters/regulation-z-and-investment-properties
- https://www.franklinamerican.com/public_extranet/correspondent_manual/cman_atr_qm.pdf
- https://www.jvmlending.com/blog/dscr-loan-requirements
- https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/faq/scores/fico-score-requirements
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-long-does-it-take-to-build-credit
- https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/how-long-to-build-credit
- https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/applications-technology/desktop-underwriter-desktop-originator/desktop-underwriter-credit-risk-assessment-updates
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/fannie-mae-credit-score-update
- https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/fannie-mae-guidelines
- https://www.veteransunited.com/futurehomeowners/va-loans-with-no-credit-history
- https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/va-loan-credit-score
- https://www.freedommortgage.com/learn/homebuying/va-loan-credit-score
Sourced from licensed loan officers and brokers in the FreeRateUpdate network.
Educational information only, not individualized financial or legal advice. Program details and rates change; verify current terms with a licensed loan officer before making a decision.