You may have been monitoring your credit score on one of those credit websites and worried your scores are too low. You may have a bad credit score because you had financial issues in the past, and conventional lenders might not consider you. However, there are still several ways you can secure a home loan with bad credit in Greensboro.
First, you should consider a credit union. They offer services similar to banks, but they're owned by members and are not-for-profit institutions. They're more likely to look past your bad credit history and may consider factors like your character as well. Look for credit unions that are linked to your life in some way. Perhaps your local community or employer has a credit union, and there are special ones for professions like teachers and the military.
If you'd prefer instead stick with a conventional bank, consider asking a family member or friend to be a co-signer on your home loan. The lender will calculate rates based on the person with better credit. Just know that your co-signer is doing you a huge favor. The loan payment information is recorded on both of your credit scores. So if you default or you're late, you'll hurt their credit, too.
Some lenders will offer what's called a secured home loan in which you borrow against things you own. These things can either be physical stuff, like another house, car, or boat, or, in some cases, assets like stocks. Secured home loan amounts are determined based on how much equity you have in the underlying asset, so another home is the collateral most likely to be approved. Know that if you default on the loan, however, you lose that asset.
There are a few other options, like unsecured loans, personal loans, and peer-to-peer lending. But perhaps the best tip is to improve your bad credit. Pull your free credit report and learn where you stand. Make smaller payments, like half a payment every two weeks instead of once a month, and do it on time. Don't close any credit cards and other accounts, like store accounts. Having a lot of available credit that you don't use helps your score, as does an account with a long history. Debt consolidation can also help. It takes three to six months of good credit behavior to boost your score, but the effort is worth it.
There are a lot of credit repair agencies that will take you on as a client. It may be anywhere from a three-month process to a six-month process. Sometimes it's up to a 12-month process, depending on how much credit you have on the bureau and if there are errors to be removed. It is possible that you paid off a loan, for example, but it still shows on your report. So, you are better off trying to clean your credit before purchasing a home versus going in with a bad credit score. This is because your credit score will affect the interest rate that you're going to pay over a 15- or 30-year period.
Want to learn more about how to get a home loan with bad credit in Greensboro and how you can make yourself a more attractive loan candidate for that dream home you've always wanted? Reach out today to Mortgages by Jill at 336-740-9068. Or simply fill out our handy contact form, and we'll get back to you. We can't wait to hear from you!
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