If you have filed bankruptcy recently, you may wonder if you can get approved for a home loan. You may also wonder if buying a home after a recent bankruptcy is a good idea for you.
While a bankruptcy can make getting approved for a mortgage loan more difficult, it is still possible to get approved for a mortgage loan. In fact, there are more and more bad credit loan programs coming out all the time. Subprime lenders are focusing more on helping individuals with poor credit acheive home ownership. This is happening mostly because bankruptcies are still on the rise and there is an increasing number of people with bad credit who are looking for home financing.
Here are some reasons to consider home ownership after a bankruptcy:
1. Increase Your Credit Score - When you make your payments regularly, you improve your credit rating. Once your pre-payment penalty period is over, you should be able to refinance your mortgage loan for a much lower interest rate. After your bankruptcy has been discharged for over 2-3 years, you should have a much easier time qualifying for a lower interest rate mortgage loan.
2. Accrue Equity In Your Home - If you are just making rent payments, you are throwing your monthly payments away. When you own a home, over time, home values increase and you are working toward owning an asset.
3. Take Out An Equity Loan To Consolidate Debt or Get Needed Extra Cash - Once you have bought your house, as soon as 6 months or so later, you might be able to take out an equity loan on your home and consolidate any other debt that you might have since your bankruptcy or debt that could not be included in your bankruptcy. Taxes and student loans will not be discharged in a bankruptcy. You may also want to use the extra cash to invest in a business venture or for needed home improvement.
See my recommended After Bankruptcy Mortgage Lenders. Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, which offers help with loans for people after bankruptcy.
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