It can be difficult to secure a home loan with a bad credit history but there are ways you can improve your chances.
If you have a bad credit rating, getting a home loan may not be straightforward but it’s not out of the question. There are a few options at hand.
1. Apply for a ‘bad credit home loan’
There are home loans designed for borrowers with bad credit, typically offered by non-conforming or ‘specialist’ lenders. They can be similar in structure to other home loan products but there’s usually a catch, generally higher interest rates and fees and charges. They often also come with stricter terms and conditions. This is because lenders regard such loans as high risk.
As a result, bad credit home loans can cost much more than a regular home loan, especially over the term of a 30-year loan. Thus, they are generally regarded as short-term fixes until the borrower’s credit score improves and more options open to them.
2. Apply with a mortgage lender who does not use credit scoring
While the vast majority of lenders use credit scores to assess a borrower’s eligibility for a home loan, there are some that don’t. These loans are often referred to as low doc or non-conforming loans.
Some lenders offering such products can market themselves as being prepared to ‘look beyond the numbers’ and ‘listen to your story’. They may take into account whether your poor credit score is as a result of sickness or divorce or consider the circumstances of your bankruptcy.
The rules vary between individual lenders but again, the loans the offer will generally attract higher interest rates and fees. Although they will be more expensive, they can also get you on the property ladder until your credit score improves.
Low doc or ‘bad credit’ home loans
Considering taking out a low doc home loan? Here are some of the most competitive deals on the market for low doc loans:
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning
3. Try to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance
When you apply to borrow more than 80% of the value of a property, there are generally two approvals that must be met: One from the lender and the other from the mortgage insurer.
Most lenders will insist you pay for a Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) policy if you’re borrowing with a loan-to-value ratio (LVR) above 80%. On some occasions, a lender may approve the loan, but its insurance provider won’t underwrite it, considering it too risky.
The easiest way to avoid this situation is to have the funds to cover both a 20% deposit and the other costs associated with purchasing a home, like stamp duty and legal costs.
However, if your deposit falls short and you are unable to secure LMI, some lenders may choose to charge a one-off ‘risk fee’ as an alternative. Such fees can commonly apply to some non-conforming or specialist loan products.
4. Demonstrate you’ve improved your financial situation
There are many steps you can take to improve your credit score. These won’t change it overnight, but they can over time as more positive information is added to your record and your poor credit behaviour gradually drops off.
There are some basic steps you can take right away to get your credit history back on track. These include:
5. Seek legitimate professional advice regarding your credit report
There are a number of ‘credit repair’ companies in Australia that offer services to improve your credit rating, with some also offering ‘debt solutions’.
Basically, these agencies collect and analyse your information and do their own research as to how your credit score is in its current position. Sometimes, they may find reasons to contest particular listings and try to have them removed from your credit report. They may also advise you on how to improve your own credit score.
But beware! Some credit repair services have been associated with scams while others are bordering on fraudulent. It pays to remember many repair services charge for what you can do yourself for free, so think carefully before engaging one. Paying a credit repair company may not actually repair your credit score either.
Ensure the credit repair company is licensed by checking ASIC’s website. Always choose to deal with a licensed company for credit repair.
6. Shop around for a loan before applying
It’s always best practice to shop around for a home loan, that means doing your homework, not making applications with multiple lenders. When you apply for a loan, it’s generally recorded on your credit report, regardless of whether the loan is approved or not.
In simple terms, if you make multiple loan applications within a short period, lenders may view this as a sign you’ve been rejected for the loans and regard you as a risky borrower.
The best advice is to apply to the lender which is most likely to approve your loan application. A good mortgage broker can be invaluable in advising what products on the market will best suit your circumstances.
Make sure to be upfront and honest with your broker about your poor credit history. They’re there to help you find the best loan and guide you through the application process.
Image by Csaba Balazs on Unsplash
First published in May 2024