Can You Buy a Home With Bad Credit?
Friday, August 26th, 2011Having a bad credit history does not mean you cannot buy a home, but the stark reality is that you probably will have to pay more than a borrower who has excellent credit. Although the legal period between bankruptcy filings is seven years, your credit report can be adversely affected for an entire decade. The key to realizing this elusive American dream is to spend a good deal of time researching all the various options you may end up encountering.
There are two types of loans available: a bad credit secured loan and a bad credit unsecured loan. A secured loan is highly unlikely since assets are not available and thus it will probably be a bad credit unsecured loan. These loans are not easy to get, as banks are understandably leery of people with bad credit. You may still be able to get one, but it will be based on you ability to repay (your income level).
Consider a Lease Option. This type of agreement is made with a property owner in which you are allowed to live in the home as if you are actually the owner. Usually the signed agreement is for a year or two and as soon as you qualify for a home loan within the agreed time period, you buy the house at the originally negotiated price. Technically, you are leasing the home with an option to buy it, which is a good deal because it gives you time to repair damaged credit.
A lease option offers other benefits as well. There are no contacts or hassles with landlords, and you can do renovations on the home, if you want to. It is also true that you can earn equity in the home as its value appreciates, since you are only bound to buy the house for the original negotiated price. By doing this today, you are locking into tomorrow’s market price
Although you have to be careful with them, credit cards are the best way to build credit. It will work towards establishing your credit future to make payments promptly. You can apply for a secured credit card at a bank if your credit is so bad that you can’t get one any other way. You will have to put $500 or $1,000 deposit down on the card, which becomes the card’s limit. Your deposit will be refunded after a year or so of responsible use, and the bankcard automatically becomes a regular credit card.
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