Yes. People buy houses after bankruptcy every day. The question isn't whether you can, but how long you'll need to wait and what loan programs you'll qualify for.

FHA loans (Federal Housing Administration): The shortest waiting period. You can qualify for an FHA loan 2 years after a Chapter 7 discharge or 1 year into a Chapter 13 plan (with court approval and on-time plan payments). FHA loans require a minimum credit score of 580 for a 3.5% down payment, or 500 to 579 for a 10% down payment. Given that most people rebuild to the 620 to 680 range within 2 years of discharge, FHA is the most accessible option.

VA loans (Veterans Affairs): If you're an eligible veteran, VA loans have a 2-year waiting period after Chapter 7 discharge. No down payment required and no minimum credit score set by the VA (though most lenders want 620+). VA loans don't require mortgage insurance, making them the best deal for eligible borrowers post-bankruptcy.

USDA loans (Department of Agriculture): For rural and suburban properties. The waiting period is 3 years after Chapter 7 discharge. No down payment required. Income limits apply (typically up to 115% of the area median income).

Conventional loans (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac): The longest wait. Chapter 7 requires a 4-year waiting period. Chapter 13 requires a 2-year wait from discharge or 4 years from dismissal. Conventional loans generally require a minimum 620 credit score and 5% to 20% down payment.

What to do during the waiting period:

Open a secured credit card within 6 months of discharge and use it responsibly. Get a credit builder loan. Keep all bill payments current (rent, utilities, phone). Save for a down payment. The larger your down payment, the more flexibility you'll have on interest rates and the more appealing your application will be.

The credit score trajectory: Most Chapter 7 filers see their score recover to 620 to 650 within 18 to 24 months of discharge. By year 3 to 4, scores of 680 to 720 are common for people who actively rebuild. This puts you in a strong position for most mortgage programs.

Practical reality: Lenders look at the full picture, not just the bankruptcy. A borrower with a 2-year-old Chapter 7, a 660 score, steady employment, and 10% down payment is a reasonably attractive applicant for an FHA loan. The bankruptcy is a factor, but it's not a dealbreaker. What matters most is what you've done since the discharge.