The biggest mystery in some minds is how to secure the funding necessary to buy a home, despite having a low credit rating. The sheer size of the loan needed to complete the purchase is staggering. And yet, securing mortgage loans with bad credit ratings is viable and common.
But applicants that believe securing mortgage approval under these circumstances is impossible miss the point. Lenders actually want to lend money, it is just the protective policies they apply that can get in the way. Once the criteria is met and the lender feels assured, approval is all but definite.
The question is how to convince the lenders to the degree that bad credit scores are overlooked and the mortgage loan is granted. Well, there are a few simple measures to take that will do the job, but here are three of the most effective.
Offer a Big Down Payment
It would be foolish to overlook the significance of down payments. Indeed, it can be a major advantage when applying for mortgage loans with bad credit. This is for two reasons: firstly, it affects the size of the mortgage required; and secondly, it reflects the character of the applicant.
A down payment represents a share of the purchase price that is bought out immediately. So, a 5% down payment on a $200,000 property translates to paying $10,000 off the price. This means that a mortgage of $190,000 is required. But a big down payment, of say 20%, means that the sum borrowed falls to $160,000.
Securing mortgage approval is easier as the loan amount falls, but the impression saving up a large down payment has also impresses the lenders. Saving $40,000 is no mean feat in these difficult times, requiring real financial discipline. This is the kind of discipline that lenders want to see in the people they approve mortgage loans to.
Address the Low Credit Score
Another move that impresses the lenders is taking measures to improve the credit score that the applicant has. When seeking mortgage loans with bad credit, the influence that the credit score has can be the difference between monthly repayments that are affordable and too expensive.
There are several ways to improve a credit score. A popular way is to take out a series of small payday loans, perhaps of $1,000, and then repay them in full when the next paycheck arrives. However, each time the loan is repaid in full, the credit score is adjusted accordingly. As the score gets higher, securing mortgage approval gets a little easier.
Alternatively, a larger loan could be taken out to consolidate all of the existing debt, replacing numerous loans with one central debt that is easier to manage. Then, when applying for the mortgage loan, the higher score means lower interest rates.
Prove Secure Employment Status
Finally, perhaps the most basic step to take is to prove that your employment status is secure. This can be difficult given the uncertainty of the economy, but those employed long term are in a stronger position to convince lenders that repayments will be made. So, getting a mortgage loan with bad credit is easier.
Providing all the necessary documentation is essential. A photocopy of a paycheck will confirm the monthly income while a copy of an employment contract can confirm the job is more than just a short-term position. Securing mortgage approval can rest on these few aspects of the application.
However, keep in mind the debt-to-income ratio too, with a maximum 40% of the excess income reserved for debt repayments. This means that even with all the boxes ticked, the share of available income is not enough. Therefore, the mortgage loan has to be rejected.