How to Get a Home Loan with Bad Credit

With flexible payments and terms, today's mortgage lenders offer a wide variety of loan products. Who benefits? Frequently, it's borrowers with less-than-perfect credit.

Let's say you want to refinance your mortgage or apply for a new home equity loan, but are concerned about your spotty credit history. The solution could be a so-called bad credit home loan. These mortgage loans are specifically designed to assist borrowers consolidate debt quickly while keeping their monthly payments affordable. Best of all, you don't have to have a spotless credit record to qualify.

How does bad credit affect your mortgage?
Your credit score plays a key role in many aspects of your life, including the process of applying for a loan. Lenders scrutinize your payment history on all previous loans, bankruptcy filings, and other financial factors when deciding whether or not to approve your application. If the lender isn't happy with your credit history, you could be required to make a larger down payment or accept a higher interest rate.

Fortunately, bad credit home loans are geared to borrowers with less-than-perfect credit. You can choose cash-out refinancing, which allows you to trade your existing mortgage for a new one and receive additional cash.  Many homeowners use the cash to eliminate higher-interest balances such as credit card accounts. Just remember: the money is drawn from your home equity and making a withdrawal will deplete your stake in the home investment.

Same rules apply to a Home Equity loan. Also known as a "second mortgage," these popular loans are disbursed in a single lump sum, generally at a fixed rate. Homeowners frequently use home equity loans to consolidate their unsecured personal debt such as auto loans, student loans, or credit card accounts.

How can I improve my credit score?
Paying off your credit cards and settling any outstanding loans will certainly help, but if you have a history of late or missed payments, it won't undo the damage overnight. Improving your credit score takes time, so after paying down your debts, make an effort to consistently pay your bills on time.

Incidentally, if you're comparing multiple lender offers, you needn't worry about your credit score taking multiple hits or affecting your score adversely. Credit scorers treat multiple mortgage inquiries as a single inquiry, provided they fall within a 45-day window. Just be sure your comparison-shopping falls within this time frame.

For an accurate picture of your finances, request your credit scores from the three bureaus and see where you stand. Scrutinize your accounts for possible inaccuracies or signs of identity theft. Your efforts to secure a bad credit loan will improve greatly when you can see what your lenders see.

Need lower monthly payments?  Extra cash?  A fixed mortgage rate?  Refinance now! Home Loan Center can help!