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Getting 100% Financing With Bad Credit – Is No Down Payment A Good Idea?
Getting 100% financing with bad credit can get you into a home with little out-of-pocket expense. However, higher rates will make the loan more expensive than financing with a down payment. There are some cases when zero down can be a benefit, especially if you plan to move or refinance soon.
The Cost Of Zero Down
Zero down will cost you more with higher interest rates. These rates will also increase your monthly payments. Some financing companies also require you to pay additional points or fees at closing. It is best to request quotes for 100% financing from many lenders to find the best offer.
You can reduce these rates with an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). These types of loans are the easiest to qualify for and start with lower monthly payments. The only drawback is that rates and payments can increase over time. But you always have the option of refinancing to lock in your current rates.
Saving On Living Expenses
While 100% financing can be expensive, it will save you money on living expenses. Purchasing a home is an investment, unlike rent. Your monthly payment is increasing your homes value. Time and market demand will also increase your propertys value.
By working with a subprime lender, you dont have to worry about private mortgage insurance (PMI) with zero down. Lenders absorb the risk with the higher rates. You also have the tax deduction of your interest payments each year and in some cases, the closing costs of the loan.
Financing Based On Your Future Goals
Zero down loans do have a place for homeowners. If zero down means the difference between renting and owning, then invest with the 100% financed loan. By keeping some cash reserves, you improve your credit score and protect yourself from a financial emergency.
If you plan on moving or refinancing in a few years, then a zero down loan doesnt have the full financial impact. Since you are paying interest on a short period, you dont suffer years of higher rates.
As with any type of mortgage, shop around for lenders. Be honest about the financing package you want. And remember, you can refinance for better rates and terms as your credit score improves.
When I worked as a loan officer, it wasnt unusual for me to come across people who thought they were out of luck because they had bad credit.
This is really not the case, although it is fair to say that you would not be able to walk down to your local bank, have a seat in the branch managers office and walk out with a mortgage.
However, there are alternatives, and you do have choices.
If you contact a broker, tell them your situation, be completely honest and up front with them, otherwise you are just wasting their time as well as your own, and believe me, whatever your situation may be, they have heard worse. Nine times out of ten they will be able to help you.
Conventional banks are not the only ones that lend money. Brokers have access too literally hundreds of banks with a wide variety of programs for people in unique situations from foreclosure buy outs, to 100% financing with poor credit scores.
I speak from experience, because when I was a loan officer I did mortgages for people in unique situations.
Foreclosure buy outs, bankruptcy, late payments on prior mortgages, the list goes on.
I would sit down with my customer, take down as much information as possible, than present their information to many different lenders for them to review. Most times I would find one with a program to help my customer.
Keep in mind, with unique situations, there is risk involved on the part of the bank, so you cant expect to get the best rate in the world. But if it is reasonable, and can put you into the situation you want to be in, than it is well worth it.
So if you think your credit, or a bad situation is preventing you from getting a loan, think again, there is probably a program out there for you, you have nothing too loose.
There’s only one way that people are freeing themselves from the shackles of bad credit and that is to create a new credit file on themselves within the credit bureau’s computer system.
That is the opening statement of one Credit Repair Book being sold on Ebay. The book tells you to make changes to your social security number, your name and address. It tells you how easy it is to get a NEW Drivers License and other back up documents, and how to use these documents to create a NEW Credit File. My first impression is havent these guys heard of Homeland Security and all of the anti terrorist laws? There are people out there who are looking for individuals who are creating just these types of false identities.
There is another theory that has made the rounds of the Internet for years that states that the only time you have to give anyone your Social Security number is when requested by an employer or the Government. That may be true, but when you REPRESENT to someone that you are giving your true and accurate information for the purposes of obtaining credit, AND you are in fact giving false and misleading information. That is FRAUD. You might not get caught, but if you do get caught the pain will not be worth the gain.
DONT DO IT !
By now almost every adult in this country knows the positive and negative aspects of a Credit Score. As our economy moves away from Paper Payments, the condition on ones credit will become more and more important.
Already, Insurance is rated by the consumers credit rating. Mortgage, installment and revolving rates can vary by several points. The lower your score, the more it cost you for basic needs.
Poorer people usually have lower credit scores because they dont have any extra income to allow for emergencies and they are more inclined to miss payments.
Increasingly, Employers are running credit checks on prospective employees which means that a low credit score could cause you a better job. Ironically, that job could have given you the means to climb out of indebtedness.
As a consumer, you job is to get your credit score as high as possible and keep it there. That way you can bank your savings and prepare yourself for an emergency. This might take some Guerilla tactics and a little smoke and mirrors, but that is okay. By repairing your credit, you will have the pride of taking charge of your life. You will feel in control and have a great sense of accomplishment.
When you have your credit file all polished up, bright and shinny, you should look at it as your Masterpiece. Treat it as a remarkable and valuable asset that took a lot of sweat and time to get just right.
If you are interested in buying a new home or refinancing the one you are currently living in, but think that you are out of luck because you have bad credit, think again.
The mortgage industry is probably larger and more diverse than you realize. You no longer have to go down the street to your local bank to get a mortgage where they only work with people with excellent credit.
There are literally thousands of mortgage lenders across the United States, better known as wholesale lenders with programs specializing in lending money to people with challenged credit.
These lending institutions are called wholesale lenders because they work with brokers, who in turn, find the wholesalers customers.
A broker is not a lender, they council and educate you during the mortgage process from beginning to end, they also are responsible for finding a lender to accommodate your mortgage needs.
Mortgage brokers have access too literally hundreds of lenders across the country. So chances are, they can find you a lender with a specific program to fit your needs. Regardless if you have poor credit or need a program that offers no money down.
Keep in mind, the mortgage industry is a very competitive one, and these brokers and wholesale lenders will compete for your business, so let them.
So dont ever feel as though you are at the mercy of the mortgage companies or the brokers just because you have bad credit. Best of Luck.