You can get a mortgage after bankruptcy or foreclosure once a waiting period has passed and you’ve rebuilt your credit. Waiting periods are shortest for FHA and VA loans (often 1 to 3 years) and longest for conventional loans (up to 7 years after a foreclosure). Documented extenuating circumstances, such as a job loss or medical crisis, can shorten some of them.
Typical waiting periods
| Event | Conventional | FHA | VA | USDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7 bankruptcy (from discharge) | 4 years | 2 years | 2 years | 3 years |
| Chapter 13 bankruptcy | 2 years from discharge (4 from dismissal) | 1 year of plan payments, with court approval | 1 year of plan payments, with court approval | 1 year of plan payments, with court approval |
| Foreclosure (from completion) | 7 years | 3 years | 2 years | 3 years |
| Short sale or deed-in-lieu | 4 years | Often 3 years | Often 2 years | Often 3 years |
Rules are detailed and change, and lenders can add their own requirements, so confirm the exact dates with your lender. With documented extenuating circumstances, conventional waiting periods can drop to 2 years after a Chapter 7 or short sale and 3 years after a foreclosure, with extra conditions.
Rebuild your credit while you wait
- Pay every bill on time; recent history matters most.
- Open a secured card or credit-builder loan and keep balances low.
- Check your reports to make sure discharged debts show a zero balance.
See how to raise your credit score and which loans fit your score with credit score to loan options.
Try it: Homebuying timelineSet your target date to when your waiting period ends, and plan saving and credit work month by month.Can you buy sooner?
Some non-QM lenders offer loans soon after a credit event, at higher rates and with larger down payments; see non-QM loans. Often it’s worth waiting for an FHA or VA loan instead, and refinancing later once your credit recovers.
Prepare your explanation
Lenders will ask what happened. A short letter explaining the cause, that it’s resolved and how your finances are now stable helps, along with your bankruptcy discharge papers or foreclosure documents.
Common questions
How long after bankruptcy can I get an FHA loan?
Usually 2 years after a Chapter 7 discharge, or after 1 year of Chapter 13 plan payments with court approval.
How long after foreclosure can I buy a house?
Typically 2 years for VA, 3 years for FHA and USDA, and 7 years for conventional loans, with shorter periods possible for extenuating circumstances.
Can I buy a house while in Chapter 13?
Often yes with FHA or VA, after 12 on-time plan payments and the court’s or trustee’s approval.
Updated October 2026. Educational content. OfferBacked is not currently a lender and doesn’t issue pre-approvals or loans.