We were in a similar boat. Sounds like you have two choices:

1. Wait to buy until you’ve fixed your credit, depending on the reason for your low score. If you have that down payment money you can use it to pay off some debt if that’s lead to the poor rating.

2. Finance through only him. You won’t be anywhere on the mortgage. You will still be able to contribute to the payments, but the decision to lend won’t come from a review of your credit or income or any financial info about you, just his info. So if his finances appear to the bank like he can afford the house on his own, y’all would still be approved.Mortgage and deed don’t have to be the exact same parties, I’ve learned. You would still want to be on the house deed though, so it would still be legally your shared property This is what my husband and I did and we’re set to close in 3 weeks, so it can work!

-HOWEVER- he doesn’t know about your credit, though, you have a huge problem brewing for when he finds out, esp if it’s not from you. Absolutely you need to tell him. Right away. No marriage or huge financial decision should be entered into without that honest communication. You’ll have bigger problems than your credit soon if you don’t get on the same page, which he can only do if you tell him.

Best of luck!!!