At one point in time, having bad credit made it extremely difficult to get a home loan. Fortunately, things have changed, and many people with less than perfect credit are obtaining home loans with decent rates. Getting a home loan with bad credit is doable. However, you must be willing to seek out lenders that offer bad credit loans.

Reasons to Consider Purchasing a New Home

Homeownership is beneficial for several reasons. Individuals who rent their homes or apartments are literally throwing away money. If your rent is $500 a month, in a year’s time you would have spent $6000. Instead of making your landlord rich, this money could go towards paying a mortgage and building equity

Furthermore, if you own a home, you are eligible for certain tax deductions. Owning a home also makes it possible to get extra cash by tapping into your home’s equity. Home equity loans and lines of credit are perfect for home improvements, unexpected expenses, debt consolidation, etc.

Choosing a Lender for a Bad Credit Mortgage

Be aware that not all lenders will offer loans to people with bad credit. Although many mortgage companies have started offering sub prime mortgage loans, some lenders will not approve an application if your credit score falls short of their minimum requirements.

Because credit blemishes are common, and the average household carries a large credit card balance, many lenders have begun offering loan programs for all credit types. These loans also benefit those unable to save for a down payment or closing fees.

Tips for Getting Approved for a Bad Credit Mortgage

If you are hoping to get approved for a home loan with bad credit, you may qualify for a better rate if you fix credit problems beforehand. Improving your score by as little as ten points may make you eligible for a slightly lower rate.

Additionally, get multiple quotes by using a mortgage broker. Brokers can help you locate many sub prime lenders that offer bad credit mortgages. When completing a quote request, choose a broker that does not review credit. If your credit is evaluated by four different lenders, it may decrease your score.

Instead, provide an accurate credit description. It may help to check your personal credit report before applying. Once you obtain at least four offers from different mortgage lenders, compare the quotes, and pick a lender. Complete the loan process by submitting an official loan application. The chosen lender will check your credit before finalizing the loan.

View our recommended lenders for Bad Credit Mortgage loans.

Carrie Reeder owns ABC Loan Guide, an online resource with information about Mortgage Refinancing Online and Home Equity Line of Credit lenders.