Getting a home loan with bad credit has actually never been
easier than it is today. Here are some tips to help improve
your chances of success:
Find A Good Real Estate Deal – If you can find a property
that has some equity in it when you purchase it, you may have
an easier time getting financing on that property. To the lender
it may be almost as good as if you had some kind of down payment
on the property. Some lenders will consider the properties loan
to value ratio when they consider the loan. Talk to your mortgage
broker and see if this factor could help you get qualified.
Try Creative Financing – See if the seller would be
willing to carry back a second mortgage on the home. This is
where you set up a contract or agreement with the seller that
you will pay them monthly payments, including interest of, let’s
say, $150/mo on $10,000 dollars of the price of the property,
as a second mortgage. Then, to make it nice for the seller,
perhaps put in the agreement that the entire amount is due in
full within 2 years or something. That should give you plenty
of time to refinance and then the seller doesn’t feel permanently
locked into the contract.
Save For A Down Payment – There are lenders who may
be able to qualify you for 100% financing, even with bad credit
scores, but your interest rate will be much lower if you can
put even 3-5% down. If possible, try to save as much as possible
for a down payment. Sometimes it may be better to wait about
3-6 months to get into a new home loan if it means the difference
of having a down payment. The interest rate could be quite a
bit better because of that factor. However, if you don’t want
to have a down payment, you can always refinance later for a
lower interest rate.
Shop Around – There are some mortgage brokers out there
that you will talk to who will say, “I can’t help you, and if
I can’t help you, no one can help you.” But, if you persist
in talking with other brokers, 10 minutes later you could be
talking to someone who knows a way to help you, no problem.
Most brokers feel that if they can’t help you, no one can. However,
the ironic thing is that each broker is varied in the types
of loans they can do. Some brokers have relationships with flexible
mortgage lenders and others do not. I recommend applying online
to mortgage services that will submit your application to multiple
lenders. That way, your credit is only pulled once, and you
can analyze offers from multiple lenders. To see our list of
recommended bad credit mortgage lenders, visit here recommended
bad credit mortgage lenders
Improve Your Credit Score – There are some really simple
ways to improve your credit score without spending too much
time at it. All 3 major credit bureaus now have areas on their
websites where you can dispute incorrect items on your credit.
The process is very quick and easy. Make your current payments
on time to help your score. Keep your number of credit inquiries
down. Too many inquiries can hurt your credit score. If you
want to buy a house, don’t apply for any credit cards, auto
loans or any other type of loan if you can avoid it. For your
reference, here are the links to all 3 major credit bureau’s
websites: www.abcloanguide.com/credithelp.shtml
If you really do want to get into a home, don’t let bad credit
stop you. There are lenders out there who can help you, it just
takes some persistence. Apply with multiple lenders. Like I
said, apply with mortgage services that specialize in bad credit
mortgage loans and will submit your application to multiple
lenders with only having one credit inquiry.
By Carrie
Reeder
Carrie Reeder is the owner and webmaster of http://www.abcloanguide.com.
Visit her site for informative loan articles and lists of recommended
lenders for bad credit mortgages.
6 Tips For Mortgage Seekers looking for a Bad Credit Mortgage
- Check your credit file for discrepancies or inaccuracies.
Regardless of the condition of your credit, you want to present
the best possible financial picture of yourself as possible.
This means knowing what's in your file ahead of time and fixing
any minor irregularities that may be found. Credit reporting
errors are a common occurrence. Correcting some of them, such
as a bad account that doesn't belong to you, can improve your
score and possibly lower the cost of your loan.
- Repay loans in installments. Developing a substantial
credit history in this manner is more valuable to your credit
score than paying your balances in one lump sum or several large
payments.
- Don't attempt to open any new credit accounts from three-
to six months prior to applying for a mortgage. Lenders
can view such new credit -- or even attempts at new credit --
as potential red flags. They also add to your overall debt,
lowering you bad credit score and making it more difficult to
qualify for a home loan.
- Know that the cost of your mortgage will be higher for
one or two reasons. First, lenders price their loans according
to risk, and as a borrower's credit score and financial strength
decrease loan rates and fees increase (the first eight tips
will help you combat this). Second, lenders prey upon your lack
of knowledge of the mortgage process or your available options.
This is where doing your own homework can benefit you greatly.
- The more reserves you have, the better. Reserves are
liquid assets that lenders want you to have available. Some
lenders may require that you have an amount equal to three months'
mortgage payments on deposit. The more you have to draw on if
necessary, the better position you'll be in to possibly negotiate
more favorable terms.
- Give the lender letters of explanation about areas of
concern in your application or credit file. If there were
extenuating circumstances that you could show the lender are
now past, it could be just the thing to help the underwriter
to decide in your favor.
Whether you have poor credit from late payments or a previous
bankruptcy. You can improve your credit score and help your
chances at getting a lower interest rate on your next mortgage
loan.
By C.L.
Haehl
Recommended
Poor Credit Mortgage Companies - Improve Your Chances By Applying
Here - We maintain a list of reputable,
poor credit lenders online and update the list regularly.
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Asked Questions About Mortgages After Bankruptcy