You need a 620 fico score but some lender will work with you while the process of the purchase by you subscribing to e-credit advisor.com. Your need to find out whether or not your lender and the selling side it is willing to accept it.

I would suggest you contact Debbie Burt at BofA at 714.803.6298. She's the best! I also work in your area and can help you find something...but you're right on the mark...you need pre-approval first. Also, with FHA, you can have a co-borrower who does not live in the home perhaps help you out, and/or receive gift funds.
Feel free to call if you'd like to discuss this.
Bonnie Scribner, REALTOR
Century 21 Discovery
c 714.296.0513

Brandinicholl,

The best thing to do is to get your FICO score up to 620 - I recomend running your credit and work on the items that are bringing your FICO score down. Often times you can paydown your balances and remove any incorrect data to improve your score.
May want to do a rapid rescore to improve your score quickly.

you really need a minimum 620 although there are some lenders who can do a 580-585.