If I lose my home to foreclosure, can I ever buy a home again? What impact will a foreclosure have on my credit report?

Foreclosure information generally remains in your credit report for seven years from the date of the foreclosure. Even if you have a bad credit history or a low credit score, you may qualify for an Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan. You may also qualify for a subprime mortgage, but note that subprime mortgages may have much higher interest rates than most other mortgages. Carefully consider the costs and risks of the loan that you are offered, and weigh the costs of the loan you might be able to get now against the option to wait and build up your credit history before buying a home.

Tip: Use our checklist  for more information on how to avoid foreclosure.