Mortgage After Bankruptcy - Post Bankruptcy Financing - Frequently Asked Questions

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010

If you have recently filed bankruptcy, you may have a few questions about your ability to get a home loan. Here are some common questions about mortgages after bankruptcy:

How long after my bankruptcy has been discharged should I have to wait to get approved for a mortgage loan? - Typically, mortgage lenders are open to considering an approval for a home loan after 2 years. Some lenders that are more strict have a policy of waiting 3 years to begin considering financing. It's possible to get mortgage financing before 2 years from the discharge date, you just may end up needing a down payment or you may have to settle for a much higher interest rate.

Can I get the best interest rates available? Is it possible? - It's not likely. The most likely way to get the lowest interest rate available would be to have a large down payment. Also, another factor that will contribute to what type of interest rate you qualify for would be how well you have paid your bills since the bankruptcy discharge.

What other factors will help me get approved for a home loan? - Your credit is only one of a few of the main factors in getting a home loan. Other factors include, employment history, debt-to-income ratio, the homes loan-to-value, income and down payment. So, consequently, if you have credit problems, it's important, not only to work on increasing your credit score but to strengthen the other factors that work for you in the loan process.

How long will a bankruptcy affect my ability to get a mortgage loan? - A chapter 13 bankruptcy stays on your credit history for 7 years and a Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays on credit for 10 years. However, starting from the first day after your bankruptcy discharge date, as your credit improves, your credit score improves. As you make payments over time, your credit score will continue to go up and can be in the high 600's or 700 even before you bankruptcy filing has come off your credit report.