Refinancing After Bankruptcy is Possible



Refinancing a home mortgage is probably one of the few financial transactions that someone who has gone through bankruptcy can achieve within a small period of time after the bankruptcy has been discharged. Since a mortgage loan is secured by an asset, the usually extremely low credit score bared by someone with a bankruptcy in his credit report isn’t that detrimental.

Raising your Credit Score

Moreover, refinancing a home loan is an excellent opportunity to raise your credit score and improve credit history. The monthly payments you make will be recorded into your credit report and this will contribute to a continuous increment on your credit rank.

However, since you won’t be able to apply for a refinance home loan till six months after your bankruptcy has been discharged. You need to work hard during this period in order to build a good credit history so as to make sure you get approved for your refinance home loan.

Getting Ready for Applying

In order to do so, you need to make all your payments on time including your current home loan installments. This is essential since any late payments or missed payments may be an obstacle between you and your refinance home loan.

If you haven’t done so yet, open a bank account, either a checking or savings account and get a credit card. If you can’t get approved for an unsecured credit card, don’t hesitate, apply for a secured credit card and start using it and making regular payments. All this will help you build a healthy credit history and will ensure you get approved for a refinance loan.

Search for a Lender and ask for Loan Quotes

The search for a suitable lender is the main task you need to complete. You can refinance with the same lender that is currently handling your home loan, but don’t stick to the first offer you receive. Request loan quotes with every lender you run into and even request online quotes as you’ll be able to get much better deals this way.

Pay attention to Interest Rates and other fees

You need to pay special attention not only to the interest rate and fees charged by the lender that will refinance your home loan, but also to any punitive fees that your current mortgage loan lender may charge for pre-cancellation of your loan. These fees and costs may turn refinance too onerous to even consider the possibility.

You may have to pay a slightly higher interest rate since you’ve got a bankruptcy on your credit report, however, don’t let lenders take advantage of this situation. This kind of loan is secured by collateral so there is no reason to charge high interest rates, no matter how low your credit score is.