Bad Credit Mortgage: Get Out of Your Bind

In the world of finance, few words seem as incongruous as "bad credit mortgage," but in reality, there are many opportunities for a borrower to acquire a mortgage even with a poor credit history.

First and foremost, a bad credit mortgage is usually referred to as a subprime, non-prime, second chance, near-prime, or B-paper lending situation. In fact, subprime lending practices are involved in many types of credit, including credit cards and car loans. The types of individuals who would be considered for a subprime mortgage are those with credit scores of less than 600 or 620. Other individuals to whom a subprime mortgage would be appropriate are those who have filled bankruptcy within the last 7 years, have a history of late payments, or have been subject to foreclosure/repossession/judgment.

Overall a bad credit mortgage is very similar to that of a prime or standard mortgage. They follow similar rate models such as a fixed, adjustable, or interest rate loan. Other models used in the subprime and prime mortgage industries are the hybrid mortgage, which is a combination of a fixed and adjustable rate formats, and pay option loan. A pay option mortgage is one that allows the participant to select the monthly payment type, which can be an interest-only payment, a minimum payment, 30 year complete amortization, or 15 year complete amortization.

The main difference between a prime credit and bad credit mortgage is the rate involved. Due to the higher risk posed to the lender, a special pricing model is used to determine the rate by incorporating such factors as the borrower's payment history, loan to value ratio (LTV) and credit score. The rates will be higher, and there are usually other fees and conditions that follow the loan. Some examples of these conditions are the balloon payment and prepayment penalty. The balloon payment is where the borrower is required to pay a lump sum after a certain time frame, sometimes as short as five years. A prepayment penalty is a fee assessed against the borrower for an early payoff of the mortgage, such as when the borrower decides to refinance or sell the home. In certain cases, these penalties and payments can be waived by paying higher fees/points up front.

When looking for a bad credit mortgage, be careful of predatory lenders. It is a common misconception that predatory practices and individuals with bad credit go hand-in-hand, but no one should have to settle for an unethical lender. Some common examples of predatory lending practices include superlative or otherwise large fees, persuading borrowers to falsify their income in order to qualify for a larger loan, and loan flipping. Loan flipping is particularly harmful, as the lender encourages the homeowner into refinancing for little or no gain. The lender, on the other hand, benefits from all of the fees, penalties, and higher interest rate.