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[M661]Mortgage Loans Poor Credit

by Carrie Reeder, Car

Regardless of bad credit, you can get approved for a mortgage loan. Credit ratings vary person-to-person. A high credit rating will make you a good candidate for a prime mortgage. On the other hand, if your score falls below a traditional lender's minimum requirement, you must choose a subprime mortgage loan.

How Credit Rating Affects Loan Approval

Mortgage lenders are more eager to approve a loan application if your credit rating is high. Individuals with high credit scores are less likely to jeopardize their rating. Thus, late mortgage payments and foreclosures are low among this group.

Those with a low credit rating may pay more for their mortgage. This includes higher finance fees, which increases mortgage payments. Each lender has different criteria for determining high credit and low credit ratings.

Traditional lenders are very strict when it comes to mortgage loans. Some lenders establish high credit score minimums, which disqualifies many homebuyers. When selecting a mortgage loan, it is essential to choose a lender that specializes in loans for your credit category.

What Does a Bad Credit Rating Mean?

Lenders use different wording to term bad credit ratings. Some simply refer to these applicants as having a low or negative rating, whereas others assign alphabet letters. In this case, those who qualify for prime rates have A-credit and B-credit. Meanwhile, individuals with a lower score have C-credit or D-credit.

Individuals with C-credit or D-credit will pay a higher interest rate for their mortgage. This is because those in this category have more credit problems. Homebuyers with C-credit have up to six 30-day late payments, three 60-day late payments, open collection accounts, and bankruptcy or foreclosure within the last twelve months.

Sadly, some homebuyers have credit situations that place them in a different category. The lowest credit category is D-credit. This groups includes homebuyers with charge-offs, judgments, open collection accounts, and bankruptcy or foreclosure within the last 6 months.

Getting Approved for a Mortgage Loan with Low Credit Rating

Although many lenders offer subprime loans to those with C or D credit, it may be favorable to defer buying a home until credit improves. This opens the door for better rates, and lower mortgage payments. If deciding to buy a home with bad credit, shop around and compare mortgage quotes. By doing so, you can review many financing options before choosing a lender.

Choose a "special" loan

Certain mortgage loans--like FHA loans or VA loans--are specifically designed to help Americans achieve the dream of home ownership. Because of this, they have lower down payment requirements and more lenient criteria for approval, so even those with a shaky credit history can obtain one of these loans. You'll have to meet certain criteria--such as Veteran status or income restrictions--and you may have to pay a little extra on your interest and fees, too. Most mortgage lenders will be able to help you find one of these loans.

Save a bigger down payment

In general, the more you borrow, the higher risk you are to the lender. So if you have poor credit, it's a smart idea to save as much as possible for your down payment, even if this means waiting a few years to buy a home. If, for example, you want to buy a $150,000 home and you only have $10,000 as a down payment, you'll need to borrow a whopping $140,000 from your lender! But if you have $50,000 as a down payment, you'll only need to borrow $100,000. From a lender's point of view, that larger down payment makes you a more attractive borrower, which means you're more likely to get approved for the mortgage loan.

Get special help

Many states, localities and other organizations have programs designed for "special needs" borrowers. These programs can help you qualify for a mortgage even if your credit isn't great or your down payment isn't big. The programs vary: some are like grants, which tack extra money onto your down payment, whereas others are actual mortgage lenders. Search the Internet to find mortgage assistance programs in your area.

Don't let a poor credit history stop your dream of owning your own home. There are plenty of options available for a mortgage loan if you're willing to do a little research.

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