If you have less than perfect credit and are looking to get approved for a mortgage loan, be careful not to make some common, costly mistakes. When dealing with sub-prime mortgage lenders or bad credit mortgage lenders, many people are taken advantage of because of their eagerness to get approved.
Choosing and settling on a mortgage lender or mortgage broker is a very important decision. Make sure you don't make mistakes that you will regret later. Ask yourself, the mortgage broker or lender these questions before you sign on the dotted line:
1. Is there a pre-payment penalty on the loan? Ask about this as soon as you are told you are approved. A 6 month pre-payment penalty is probably ok, but 1 year, or two years? Over 1 year is too long. Find out how much the pre-payment penalty is. Maybe its not much. But if there is one, its most likely to be so much, that it would defeat the purpose of refinancing the loan before the penalty time is up. If you are get a mortgage loan with a poor credit score, and then make your mortgage payments on time, you are likely to be able to refinance in 6 months to 1 year for a much better interest rate. You don't want to hurt your chances of doing that with a heavy pre-payment penalty. Sometimes brokers will neglect to tell you about one.
2. What will the interest rate be? Sounds obvious, but lock down exact numbers. Don't settle for vague answers on this. Brokers may promise you a low interest rate, but as it gets closer, end up locking you in at a much higher rate. If you are doing a combo loan, 80/20, the second mortgage may end up being the one that has an interest rate that surprisingly jumps up as it gets close to the loan closing. Try to negotiate a lower interest rate, especially if you are going through a mortgage broker, they will usually have some play in this area.
3. Is my mortgage broker being too pushy? If you feel your broker is being too pushy, there may be something in the loan that is not in your best interest. Ask a lot of questions and don't be afraid to start searching elsewhere. When getting a mortgage loan, you don't want to be in too big a hurry.
4. Can I afford the payment even I am not able to refinance for a lower rate within 2-3 years? Many people get into a sub-prime mortgage loan with a higher interest rate, just because they are happy to get approved, only to feel suffocated later, when they cannot refinance and get out from under the high payment. If you don't think you could make the payment for at least the next 2-3 years with no problem, then you shouldn't be getting into the loan.
5. What are my closing costs going to be, exactly? Bad credit mortgage lenders and mortgage brokers know that the person they are extending the loan to doesn't have as many options. These lenders and brokers can sometimes take advantage of that fact by upping the fees at closing. Make sure you see what all of your fees are going to be in writing before you commit to the loan. Compare those fees with other lenders and make sure they are comparable. If there are a little high, try negotiating with your mortgage lender or broker. They will usually be able to make changes there if they choose to.
It helps to choose a bad credit mortgage lender based on a referral based on a referral, one who has a good reputation. Choose a company with a long standing reputation and make sure you feel comfortable working with them.
There are many lenders now, who specialize in bad credit mortgage loans. These are the best lenders to start with.
Written by Carrie Reeder, owner of http://www.abcloanguide.com, an informational website on mortgage loans, with articles and lists of recommended bad credit mortgage lenders.
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
You bought a house and you were promoted to the... Read More
At some point as you're writing out your rent check,... Read More
Have you decided to refinance your home or apply for... Read More
Home prices have reached record levels, and in many parts... Read More
If you are a homebuyer, there are a few points... Read More
Simply stated, a reverse mortgage is a loan that enables... Read More
Well, we did it. We are buying a beautiful, brand... Read More
When looking at tips for first time home buyers, you've... Read More
During the last five years, home prices have increased nationwide.... Read More
Most people choose a home owner loan as it can... Read More
Home equity loans give individuals a tool to extend their... Read More
Slight increases in the interest rates raise your hackles. Tension... Read More
To make needed repairs to your home without the advantage... Read More
Betty and John, are in their mid-seventies and are currently... Read More
When the bills are piling up and there doesn't seem... Read More
Refinancing your home equity loan is an excellent way to... Read More
Imagine an adjustable rate mortgage that allows you to pick... Read More
Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit continue... Read More
This post is a must read for anyone considering purchasing... Read More
Current economic scene has hinted towards a fall in the... Read More
Most Americans tend to live on a paycheck-to-paycheck basis, and... Read More
One of the things that bothers me about the mortgage... Read More
If you've been thinking about applying for a direct homeowner... Read More
Buying a home with poor credit is easier than ever... Read More
Using a home equity loan really depends on what your... Read More
One of the most common terms found in a new... Read More
Faced with the threat of a foreclosure on their home,... Read More
Private mortgage insurance, or PMI, is the safety net of... Read More
So, you've found the perfect home. You've already decided where... Read More
Buying a home remains the great American dream. Home ownership... Read More
Interest-only loans are quickly becoming a mainstream loan product. Borrowers... Read More
People with bad credit that are looking to get a... Read More
One of the biggest reasons homeowners refinance their mortgage is... Read More
Commercial mortgages are similar to residential mortgages. Usually taken by... Read More
Rising home prices, particularly on the East and West coasts... Read More
If you fall behind in your mortgage payments, you face... Read More
A fixed-rate mortgage is a mortgage on which the interest... Read More
You have been paying on your mortgage for quite sometime... Read More
Getting a home loan with bad credit has actually never... Read More
Refinancing your home mortgage can come with some great perks.... Read More
At some point as you're writing out your rent check,... Read More
When choosing the right mortgage company for your home purchase... Read More
Tracing back, the concept of reverse mortgages began when one... Read More
When it comes to firsttime home buyer loans, a little... Read More
You have seen the Commercials on TV go this or... Read More
You should say goodbye to PMI. You may not notice... Read More
Have you heard about or been interested in finding out... Read More
Using a home equity loan to get out of debt... Read More
The real estate market in California is booming. Home values... Read More
A stated income or no doc mortgage loan allows individuals... Read More
As your home appreciates in value, you gain equity. You... Read More
Mortgages are easy as long as you understand them well.... Read More
Refinancing and Car Finance - Is it Worth It?No doubt... Read More
Your search for a mortgage isn't leading results.Check for any... Read More
There are several reasons why you might be in the... Read More
If your mortgage company is threatening foreclosure, there are things... Read More
If you owe 40 percent or less of your original... Read More
Many homeowners want to know if it worth taking a... Read More
Interest rates are on the rise and many home owners... Read More
Whether you are planning to purchase a home for the... Read More
Federal banking regulators have recently expressed some concern over the... Read More
Everybody wants to own a house because it is something... Read More
One of the things that bothers me about the mortgage... Read More
It is a curious fact of human nature that people... Read More
You may have heard people, especially mortgage lenders, extolling the... Read More
"Instant Approval For Home Loans" is a common refrain for... Read More
Mortgage Refinance |