How to Obtain a Mortgage Loan with Bad Credit

Updated on 3/18/2013

By Daniel Duffield

The “American Dream” is still alive for many people, but with a huge downfall in the economy, bad credit has become a normal issue for people looking to purchase a home or refinance their mortgage.  If you are worried that bad credit will prevent you from being approved for the loan, a bad credit mortgage loan can be the solution. Although the sub-prime mortgage loans that were a popular solution to those who had a low FICO score before the housing crash, there are now many restrictions on providing financing for bad credit mortgages, though there are still some mortgage lenders and government backed programs out there that can help a borrower attain a bad credit mortgage loan.  

Whether you are a first time home buyer with bad credit or looking to refinance your current bad credit mortgage to a better rate, Lender411.com provides a wide variety of lenders who offer multiple loan programs and may be able to help you with the bad credit home purchase or bad credit mortgage refinance that you need.

What is a Bad Credit Mortgage?

A bad credit mortgage is exactly what it sounds like: a mortgage given to a borrower with bad credit. With these mortgages, borrowers have the opportunity to receive a loan while simultaneously repairing their credit scores.

What are the Advantages of a Bad Credit Mortgage?

For borrowers who have undergone a short sale, foreclosure, or bankruptcy, bad credit mortgages may be the only option. Although borrowers with damaged credit may qualify for other types of loans such as a hard-money loan, bad credit mortgages provide access to a loan with reasonable terms, depending on the lender.

In addition, these loans contain stringent terms to protect lenders from taking losses. As a result, bad credit mortgages can help borrowers develop better habits for maintaining a decent credit score. While making payments on a bad credit mortgage, a borrower can repair his or her credit and eventually qualify for a refinance with a lower interest rate. Thus, a bad credit mortgage gives desperate borrowers a chance to acquire the necessary funds from a loan while working to repair bruised credit.

What are the Disadvantages of Bad Credit Mortgages?

As previously indicated, bad credit mortgages have much more rigid terms than traditional loans in order to add security for lenders. To compensate for the risk, interest rates for low credit borrowers will also be much higher, making these mortgages more costly in the long run. Consequently, missing a payment or making a late payment can have costly repercussions.





What is the Cost of a Bad Credit Home Mortgage?

The cost of a bad credit home mortgage varies from borrower to borrower. Successful management of a bad credit mortgage can be fairly inexpensive, while falling into the same credit-damaging habits could cost a fortune. Due to the rigid guidelines of most bad credit loans, any failure to uphold the terms and conditions of the loan may result in exorbitant penalties and fees.
In terms of mortgage payments, lower credit scores will translate into higher interest rates and higher monthly payments. Always compare mortgage rates to find the lowest possible price, especially for loans taken out with bad credit.

How do I choose a Bad Credit Mortgage?

There are several points of comparison between bad credit mortgages:

  • Interest Rate. Always search for the lowest interest rates possible. Although you will not have access to the best rates due to credit requirements, you can save thousands of dollars in the long run in minute percentage differences in interest rates.
  • Terms and Conditions. Although terms and conditions of a loan will be generally restrictive to borrowers with poor credit, search for a loan with the most favorable, especially those without prepayment penalties.
  • Minimum Term. If you are looking for a short-term loan rather than refinancing, find a loan with a term as short as possible to speed up the conversion process.
  • Lender Credibility. Make sure your lender is properly qualified before making any financial commitments.
  • Future Mobility. Whatever your plan for the future, make sure that the loan provides the means to achieve a goal. In other words, if you plan on raising your credit and refinancing within a certain amount of time, make sure that your loan includes provisions which make this goal a possibility.

Choosing a Trusted Mortgage Lender Specializing in Bad Credit

The most important aspect of finding a bad credit home mortgage lender is to take the time to explore your options. Consult with each lender to determine which one can offer you the most favorable terms.  The terms are likely to be similar, but you may find several lenders who can offer terms that are more favorable than the terms of others when looking at bad credit home loans.



Stay away from lenders who claim they can offer their clients the same terms as those with good credit.  Although you may be tempted to believe this claim, it’s very likely that that particular lender is less than reputable.  Maintain caution when searching for a bad credit mortgage lender because there may be people looking to take advantage of your situation.

Bad Credit Mortgage Refinance

There are a number of reasons to consider refinancing your home but you may hesitate to do so if you have bad credit.  In fact, a whole new idea has taken over: loan modification.  Many lenders no longer offer bad credit home mortgage refinance options to homeowners who have poor credit scores. Instead, they are relying on loan modifications since many distressed borrowers don’t qualify for a refinance.  Loan modifications also relieve the pressure of meeting the following refinance standards: good credit, equity, employment and income.

Since you’re already working with your current lender, a low FICO score isn’t a problem because credit isn’t analyzed in this process.  Equity is also not an issue for a loan modification because if you’re upside down, so is your lender – they won’t have an equity requirement.  

Employment is more relaxed for loan modifications – you just have to prove that you’re currently working.  However, if you’re applying for a bad credit mortgage refinance, you need to prove that you’ve worked a minimum of two years at the same job.  Income, though a big factor in loan modification, isn’t regarded the same way as in the refinance process.  All you have to do for a loan modification is prove that you can make mortgage payments at a certain payment each month.

FAQ:

Related Searches:

 

Leave a Comment

The asterisk * denotes a required field.

Comments

rjbrad_698_331 May 18, 2012 at 5:01am PDT

There Are a lot of great comments and suggestions here. During these hard times with this recession, I know it can feel like you don't have anywhere you an turn for help. Well I think I can help. Please visit www.itsyourpayday.info for some great education and assistance with bad credit loans, credit repair, & filing bankruptcy. I am positive they can assist you with whatever financial problems you make be having. They were definitely able to assist me several months ago. Below is their commitment!OUR COMMITMENT We strive to be your one-stop resources for Bad Credit Loans, Credit Repair, Filing Bankruptcy, Government Grants, and Government Auctions. We are committed to helping you to get your credit back on track, OR get loans or cash that you need. The following is a brief list of what we offer: 1. Guaranteed Bad Credit Loans up to $25,000 What we do is quite simple. After years of research and through exclusive relationships with little-known lenders, we are able to guarantee ANYONE a bad credit loan of up to $25,000. Perhaps you need a loan for debt consolidation, home improvements, a new or used car purchase, a new home, or even a vacation! We are affiliated with many lenders who cater especially to people with bad or no credit. These are experienced and trusted lenders that value your business, no matter what your credit situation is. Our database includes the following lists:o Bad Credit Personal Loan Lenders;o Bad Credit Auto Loan Lenders;o Bad Credit Home Loan Lenders;o Education Loans and Small Business Loans;o Unsecured Credit Card Company List;o Secured Credit Card Company List;o Merchant/Retail Store Credit Card Company List, and much more. 2. Credit Repair Not only do we help with loans for credit-challenged individuals, but we also help with repairing your credit. And, this does NOT involve the current scam floating around the internet where you are told to apply for a new Social Security Number or EIN. That method is completely illegal. Members of our website are given online access to a very unique and exclusive credit repair kit. It is nothing like any credit repair kit you've ever seen. It contains completely legal methods that WILL show you how to remove negative marks from your credit report, even if they are true. Our credit repair kit will show you how to remove charge-offs, bankruptcies, judgements, etc. You will learn the latest, closely-guarded methods that attorneys are using every day. These methods will also help to increase your FICO score, which is the score lenders use to evaluate your creditworthiness. 3. Filing Bankruptcy We also provide members of our website with access to our do-it-yourself bankruptcy kit. This kit is for people who have determined that they need a fresh start. It contains all of the forms needed to file, step-by-step instructions, as well as a list of each state's exemption policy. If you are considering bankruptcy, this kit will save you money! Lawyers typically charge over $1,000 to help you file. Our kit will show you how to easily file on your own for a fraction of the cost lawyers typically charge, and how you can pay the filing costs in installments. 4. Free Government Grants Anyone thinking about going into business for themselves, or wanting to start are expand an existing business should rush for the world's largest "one-stop-money-shop" where FREE MONEY is being held for you by the Federal Government. It sounds incredible that people living right here in the United States of America wouldn't know that each year the world's largest source of free business help & free MONEY delivers billions of dollars! 5. Government and Police Auction Resource Millions of dollars of seized/unclaimed properties are auctioned every week at Government Auctions and Police Auctions. And most people don't know where and when these auctions are held! That is why houses, commercial properties, cars, trucks, boats, computers, TVs, jewelry and many other items are being sold to bidders for pennies on the dollar. We will show you when these auctions are taking place all over the US and where to bid on these great bargains, and how to be the winning bidder just paying a fraction of the actual value..

Donnab_683_817 April 15, 2012 at 12:43pm PDT

Due to a fraudulent loan, I had to file for bankruptcy. I had great credit prior to the bankruptcy, which unfortunately just happened. I am working with my attorney to work on a loan modification but I am thinking I might just want to walk away and start over. I would like to see if I could get a mortgage - I have a 640 credit score (even with the bankruptcy) and want to know if there is something that I can do

rnecai_964_652 August 28, 2011 at 6:26am PDT

My house is paid for and I want to know if I can get a loan against it with bad credit?

Searching Today's Rates...

Featured Lenders