What is the best bargain in purchasing a home? I have no money to put down and bad credit with a new job.?

I am desperate to stay in our school district for my kids sake. I am desperate to leave my situation away from my boyfriend, also; for my kids sake. I now have bad credit (most is 5+ yrs old) and just started a descent paying job that will become commission based. I feel that purchasing is smarter than renting. So, I wonder if one has to have good credit, job stability, and/or money down to purchase a home. Or which is most important? I am working on all of the above and obviously it takes time. So, I need to figure out the best first, second, third and so on, move.