Bad Credit Mortgages – Best Bad Credit Lenders for 2021

How to Qualify for a Bad Credit Mortgage

Qualifying for a mortgage with bad credit will vary depending upon your credit score, your employment status, and whether you have had a bankruptcy or a foreclosure within the past two years. Here are the basic qualifications for a bad credit mortgage:

• Credit Score – The lowest credit score allowable is 500
• Down payment – The minimum down payment will be 3.5%-10%. This down payment will be for virtually anyone whether you are self employed or if you are a W2 wage earning looking for a bad credit FHA loan. If you had a recent bankruptcy or foreclosure, then your minimum down payment will be 25%.
• Income Requirement – W2 wage earners will need to provide your last 30 days pay stubs as well as your W2s and tax returns. If you are self employed and cannot document your income, then you will need to provide 12 months bank statements. 
• Bank Statements – For a W2 wage earner, you will need to provide a minimum of 2 months bank statements. For self employed individuals, you will need 12 months bank statements. Some lenders may require more depending upon the strength of your application.

Compensating Factors For a Bad Credit Mortgage

Here are some of the compensating factors that will come into play when trying to qualify for a bad credit home loan. The more you can add to your mortgage application, the stronger an application it will be and more likely to get approved.

• Larger Down Payment – This helps to reduce the risk for the bad credit lenders. It shows more of a commitment on your part and provides a safety net in the event of a foreclosure. So, if the bad credit loan program you are interested requires only 10% down but you are able to put down 25%, then that is a huge positive for you.
• High Income Stream – This helps because it tells the lender that although your credit scores are bad, you do have the money to make the payments. One of the key elements when underwriting a loan is determining a borrower’s ability to pay so this is important. If you are self employed with bad credit and you cannot fully document your income, then you should read about stated income loans.
• Low Debt to Income Ratios – This means that your monthly obligations (all payments on your credit report + your new proposed mortgage payments) divided into your gross monthly income is less than 40%. Many of the bad credit lenders will allow your ratios to be as high as 50% – 55%. If you have bad credit and your debt ratios are high, we can still help you.
• Cash Reserves – After your down payment and closing costs, the more months of cash reserves you have the better your chances to have your loan approved. Knowing that you have a minimum of 6 months of reserves is a positive compensating factor. According to Dave Ramsey, your reserves really should be much greater than 6 months as part of a strategy to achieve financial freedom. When bad credit lenders look at your loan application, they will use reserves as one of the compensating factors because it helps to minimize their risk.
• Steady Employment History – Working in the same place for a long time is another positive thing to the lenders. Conversely, if it looks like you are constantly bouncing from one job to the next or you have periods of unemployment, then this could be a problem. You will usually need a minimum of a two year work history either in a job or two years in your own business. However, we work with a few bad credit lenders who will allow for less than 2 years work history with other positive compensating factors.
• Rental Payment History – Showing that you have a good rental payment history by providing a letter from your landlord is a positive thing. In addition, if your new proposed mortgage payment is similar to what you were paying in rent, that is also a positive. Lenders want to avoid “payment shock” which is when you go from one monthly payment to a much larger monthly payment in your new bad credit mortgage.

Bad Credit Mortgage Programs and Options

Here are the bad credit mortgage programs that may fit your situation. After talking to one of our bad credit lenders, you and the qualified loan professional can decide what makes the most sense.

• Bad Credit FHA Loans – An FHA loan is what we would suggest first. It would provide an opportunity to qualify with a bad credit score while also maintaining a reasonable interest rate. Typically, an FHA loan would require only a 3.5% down payment for scores as low as 580. However, if your score is 500-579, then you will need a 10% down payment for a bad credit FHA loan. Keep in mind that although those are the standard credit score requirements, not many lenders offer bad credit FHA loans for scores less than 580. However, we can help you. Read more about FHA Mortgages and FHA Mortgage Lenders.
• VA Home Loans – Veterans may be able to qualify for a VA home loan. This is just one of the many well deserved benefits of serving our country. Although the Veterans Administration does not have a credit score requirement, many lenders impose their own credit score minimum of 620 or more. In the past, we have found a few lenders who will go as low as a 500 credit score so yes we can help you.
• USDA Rural Development Loans – USDA loans are not just for farm country living. More than 90% of the US is considered to be a USDA eligible rural location. Therefore, it would be a good idea to check your location for USDA Eligibility. You can find a USDA home loan with 100% financing. However, that also comes with a higher credit score requirement of a 640 minimum. That higher score requirement is in place due to the increased risk associated with a zero down mortgage. We can also help you to a bad credit USDA loan with credit scores as low as 500.
• Down Payment Assistance – Grants – There is a chance that you may be eligible for a Federal Grant or down payment assistance. That information resides on the HUD assistance programs page for more info. Just click on your state and then “assistance programs”. Lots to read there and you may need to make some phone calls.
• Down Payment Gifts – If you do not have the funds for a down payment, there are a few programs including FHA will allow for you to receive the funds needed as a “gift” from a relative. They would only need for you to provide a gift letter and the funds will need to be transferred to you prior to closing.
• Bad Credit Mortgage After Foreclosure or Bankruptcy – We receive a lot of requests from individuals who have had a bankruptcy or foreclosure. They want to purchase a home or refinance a current mortgage but do not know how to approach it. The reality is that if you had a bankruptcy or foreclosure then your credit scores are probably going to be low.

For a government loan such as FHA, there is a 3 year waiting period before you can qualify for that loan after a bankruptcy or foreclosure. However, you can apply for the FHA back to work program which shortens the waiting period to just 12 months for those who qualify. We suggest speaking with one of our FHA lenders to see if you do qualify.

Refinancing a Mortgage with Bad Credit

If you have bad credit and you need to refinance, there is help for you as well. Most of the programs mentioned above can also be used for a bad credit mortgage refinance. However, there are two programs below which are available only for refinancing.

• HARP – Home Affordable Refinance Program – This is a refinance program that was put in place after the mortgage meltdown of 2008 to help homeowners whose homes are “under water” (owe more than what the home is worth). This enables them to refinance to have a lower payment and interest rate.
• FHA Streamline Refinance Mortgage – This program is eligible for individuals who already have an FHA mortgage on their homes. The FHA streamline refinance program does not require a credit check or income verification. It is important though for you to have been making payments on time with your existing FHA mortgage.

First Time Home Buyers With Bad Credit

First time home buyers often attempt to apply for their first mortgage with already having bad credit. This means their credit history was negatively impacted by credit events unrelated to a mortgage. They possibly had late payments on consumer debt such as credit cards or possibly had a medical collection issue.

First time home buyers can still get approved for a bad credit home loan. Some of the programs referenced above fit perfectly for first time home buyers with bad credit. Just contact us here to see if you qualify.

FAQ Getting a Mortgage with Bad Credit

Do I need to improve my credit score before applying for a bad credit mortgage?
You don’t have to improve your credit score before qualifying for a bad credit mortgage. However, doing so will make it easier and will most likely result in a better interest rate. Everyone’s situation is different so give us a call so we can help figure it out for you.

Should I apply for a bad credit mortgage now or wait until my credit scores improve?
You will absolutely get a better mortgage rate and possibly a lower down payment with excellent credit. However, it can take time to repair and improve your credit scores. So, if you are ready to buy or have found your dream home, you can always get a bad credit mortgage now and then refinance later when your scores improve.

Are there flexible down payment options for people with bad credit?
You can find some of the loan programs referenced above. FHA, USDA, etc. Anywhere from 10% down to ZERO down. In addition to those government programs, there are lenders who will approve your mortgage with a bankruptcy with a small down payment.

Can First Time Home Buyers Find a Bad Credit Mortgage?
The programs outlined above apply for first time home buyers with the exception of the FHA streamline refinance because… well you need to be a homeowner first before you can refinance!  It is common for first time home buyers to have bad credit.

Are There Bad Credit Mortgages For Those With a Credit Score Under 600?
There are programs for scores under 600 and the one that may make the most sense would be an FHA loan. We are able to help you to get a mortgage if your score is as low as 500. However, the lower your credit score, the higher the down payment requirement will be.

Are Bad Credit Mortgages Hard Money Mortgages?
Bad credit mortgages are not hard money. You will be working with national lenders who are leaders in the industry. They are not hard money lenders.

We are able to help you to find you a bad credit mortgage lender in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

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We can help you to purchase or refinance your home with the following credit scores…

500, 505, 510, 515, 520, 525, 530, 535, 540, 545, 550, 555, 560, 565, 570, 575, 580, 581, 582, 583, 584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 596, 597, 598, 599, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620. 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, 629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636, 637, 638, 639, 640, 641, 642 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658, 659, 660, 661, 662, 663, 664, 665, 666, 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, 677, 678. 679, 680