Can I buy a home again after foreclosure, and how does foreclosure affect my credit?
Short answer
A does not permanently bar you from buying another home, but it will damage your credit. The CFPB says foreclosure information generally stays on a for seven years from the foreclosure date. Some people later qualify for an FHA loan or other products; this source does not publish current waiting periods.
Full explanation
The CFPB says a later mortgage can still be available after a foreclosure. The same event will hurt credit. On a credit report, the foreclosure generally remains for seven years, counted from the foreclosure date.
Even with a damaged credit history or a low score, the CFPB notes that an FHA loan may still be available for some borrowers. Other higher-cost products may also be offered and can carry much higher interest rates than most other mortgages. This page does not say that any reader qualifies for FHA, conventional, or another program, and it does not publish FHA, VA, or conventional waiting periods.
The CFPB suggests weighing the cost of a loan that might be available now against waiting and rebuilding credit first. Program rules and seasoning periods change and are not stated here. A HUD-approved housing counselor can help you review options. This is general information, not a finding that any later application will be approved.
Sources reviewed
If I lose my home to foreclosure, can I ever buy a home again? What impact will a foreclosure have on my credit report?
Related mortgage terms
Last reviewed
September 10, 2026