Usual opinion is that with an item like bankruptcy on your credit report you do not stand a chance of getting a mortgage. While it might have been true until as little as 4 - 5 years ago it is certainly not true today.
It is natural that bankruptcy does not help your credit score but it is not something that can prevent you from buying your own home in near future, in say next 2 to 5 years.
And in case that you already have a mortgage on your record, you will be happy to know that you can refinance your mortgage and get a much better deal which can enable you to pay off your creditors much easier and faster. You will have to work long, hard and smart to repair your credit rating.
Here are steps you will have to take in order to get a mortgage after filing for bankruptcy:
1. Make a budget that you can stick to and the one your family can live with. It is very important to make a realistic list of your monthly income.
In this list include any income that you can count on100%, leave all the other possible money sources out. You can do it easy with a pen and paper or you can use your PC/Mac.
Place any other possible sources of income on a separate list, so if it happens OK, if it does not no harm done to your budget planning.
2. List your expenses include all your monthly bills in this like car or a home loan, rent, insurance payment, utilities and food. Keep ALL the bills, and at the end of the month you should have much clearer picture where does your money go to.
Many people do not do this, and that is a HUGE mistake. Small $10-20 bills soon ad up without you noticing it. It is not big expenses that push people in debt, in most cases it is lots of small charges you do not take notice off until you have to pay them.
You have gathered similar information before, probably when filling for bankruptcy. At the end of the month or at the beginning of one, when you do the math you will be able to find out if you are living above your means.
If that is the case you are just going to have to give up some of the unnecessary costs. What that is I can not tell you, each of us is different but usually things like cigarettes, bar bills, DVD rents and other entertainment oriented expenses are not necessary for living normal lives.
You would be surprised to know how much you can save on things like this.
3. Pay ALL your bills ON TIME importance of this can not be stressed enough. If you follow above two steps you should have less trouble with this probably the most important step in your credit repair.
Make sure to have your mortgage, car loan, or a secure credit card bill (that you have naturally been paying on time) listed with credit bureaus.
It will provide the proof your creditors need that you have been working hard on your credit repair and that you have learned how to live within your means.
4. Fourth step is optional; you can apply for a mortgage after bankruptcy even with bankruptcy discharged yesterday and just about any time you want.
But even if you are approved you will have much higher interest rates to payback and those rates can be just thing that will push you even more towards financial bottom.
If not absolutely necessary wait for at least a year (during which you will naturally working harder then ever to improve your credit score) and then apply. Also make sure to check all your options, apply online with reputable lenders and get as many offers as you can right to your e-mail.
This is much, much easier, faster and over all better way to apply for any kind of a loan then the traditional methods.
So can you and should you apply for mortgage after filing bankruptcy? The answer to both questions is YES. But you will have to undertake above steps to get a better deal.
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