How to Get Credit or a Mortgage After Filing Bankruptcy

By: Jon Arnold

Are you thinking of filing for bankruptcy? If so, make sure that you have a good look at all your options. Bankruptcy should be considered only as a last resort. Many people who have filed in the past say now that they wish they had investigated other options more completely before they filed. However, sometimes bankruptcy really is the best option. Once you file, you'll be looking at things from a better financial position.

Many people think that once they file for bankruptcy, they'll be unable to have large possessions or get credit. Nothing could be farther from the truth. There are credit cards, vehicle loans, and even mortgages available for people who've filed bankruptcy in the past.

If you're willing to look a little harder and use unconventional means, you should be able to get a good mortgage loan, even if you filed for bankruptcy. If there's a demand for the service, someone will fill that demand. This is the case with credit for people who have filed bankruptcy.

It can be difficult to get credit from traditional lenders. Your bankruptcy will appear on your credit report for as long as a decade. This means that many lenders will consider you a high risk, and avoid lending to you. Fortunately, not all lenders are this way. There are some lenders willing to write a mortgage for you even if there's a bankruptcy on your credit report. These specialists understand that your bankruptcy may well have been caused by circumstances outside your control, and that it doesn't mean that you've managed your finances badly.

However, it's important to stay realistic when getting these kinds of loans. Companies will want to see a good track record of payments in spite of and since your filing. You will also probably find yourself facing a higher interest rate should you sign for a mortgage loan after bankruptcy. However, if you're willing to deal with these factors, you do have the power to buy your own home, even with a black mark on your credit report.

Remember to look for an experienced specialty mortgage broker. They will need to be familiar with the sort of lenders who are willing to make this kind of loan. Be sure to give all the pertinent details to your broker as soon as you start doing business. That way, there will be no time wasted with companies who won't be willing to give you the loan you need.

You'll probably get many offers through the broker. Go over them carefully, one at a time. Pay attention to service fees, and penalties to be paid if you miss or are late on a payment. This way, you can evaluate the offer to find out what the best option is for you. With a specialty mortgage loan, you can have a new home of your own, even if you've had bad credit luck in the past.

Filing bankruptcy, if that is indeed your best option, does not mean it is also the end of the world. Hopefully you will have learned some things in the process about watching over things likes finances and even things that are outside your direct control, and you will be financially stronger in the future for having that knowledge.

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