New to Real Estate · Irving TX · Member since 2025 · 21 posts · 15 votes
Hey BP,
I moved to Dallas (Irving) ~4 months ago from Germany. I work here as a technical consultant and want to buy my first house hack (ideally a duplex).
Credit situation:
3 credit cards, all on-time payments
Utilization <10%
All report to all 3 bureaus
Still no FICO score yet (Discover says a score should generate in month 7)
Questions:
What loan options exist for a house hack with no score yet (manual underwriting, FHA with non-traditional credit, local CU/portfolio, non-QM/DSCR if I live in one unit, etc.)?
If I wait until my first score appears, what’s the fastest realistic path (FHA vs. conventional) and typical DP/DTI/reserves you’re seeing now?
Any DFW lenders/agents who work with newcomers building credit and doing 2–4 unit house hacks?
Besides waiting, what can I do right now to strengthen my file (e.g., credit-builder loan, rent/utility reporting, authorized user, cash reserves targets)?
Are seller financing or a co-borrower/guarantor common on small multis in DFW?
Appreciate any guidance or intros—happy to share numbers on a sample duplex if that helps. Thanks!
Lender · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2024 · 58 posts · 19 votes
11mo
Happy to help - we can use conventional or FHA using non-traditional credit. DFW is one of our biggest areas. The key to non-traditional credit is working on the credit references (utilities, rent, insurance, etc) as soon as we can as sometimes these companies can take time to get the documentation required to document the non-traditional credit references.
Lender · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2024 · 58 posts · 19 votes
11mo
Happy to help - we can use conventional or FHA using non-traditional credit. DFW is one of our biggest areas. The key to non-traditional credit is working on the credit references (utilities, rent, insurance, etc) as soon as we can as sometimes these companies can take time to get the documentation required to document the non-traditional credit references.
Happy to help - we can use conventional or FHA using non-traditional credit. DFW is one of our biggest areas. The key to non-traditional credit is working on the credit references (utilities, rent, insurance, etc) as soon as we can as sometimes these companies can take time to get the documentation required to document the non-traditional credit references.
That’s really interesting, Trevor — I just sent you a private message with more details about my situation. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Lender · NY · Member since 2021 · 6 posts · 0 votes
11mo
Hi Shahab, This is a great question, sounds like you’re setting yourself up really well for your first house hack.
There are some flexible funding programs that can work even before your FICO score appears, especially for income-verified buyers with solid payment history and low utilization.
I sent you a DM so we can go over what options might fit your situation and next steps you can take while building your credit.