Credit history matters, but it’s rarely a hard stop. Most traditional lenders look for a minimum credit score and a clean recent payment history, but the specific threshold varies by lender — and if you don’t fit traditional (A-lender) guidelines, B-lenders and private lenders are often willing to work with borrowers that banks decline, typically at a somewhat higher rate.
If you’ve gone through a bankruptcy or consumer proposal, there’s usually a required discharge period (often one to two years, depending on the lender) before you’re eligible for standard financing, along with evidence of re-established credit. The right path really depends on your specific situation — this is a conversation best had directly rather than guessed at from general rules.