Consolidate Debt To Improve Home Loan Chances

Summary: Finding a home loan with less than stellar credit isn't an easy task. But, it is possible and it is getting somewhat easier. Consider the following tips to improve your chances of being approved for a home loan: Tip #1. Find a real estate agent you can trust and enlist his help in identifying properties that will come prepacked with equity based upon their worth and their selling price. Financing a property that has equity built in above and beyond the mortgage is alwa...

Finding a home loan with less than stellar credit isn't an easy task. But, it is possible and it is getting somewhat easier. Consider the following tips to improve your chances of being approved for a home loan: Tip #1. Find a real estate agent you can trust and enlist his help in identifying properties that will come prepacked with equity based upon their worth and their selling price. Financing a property that has equity built in above and beyond the mortgage is always going to be easier and quicker than a fixer-upper or something that requires you to sink more money in it immediately. After all, to lenders, equity is almost as good as cash down. Have your agent and mortgage brokers help you identify possibilities in this area. Tip #2. Look outside the boardroom box for more creative options for finding financing. If the seller will carry a second mortgage you may be able to save your down payment in exchange for monthly payments and interest. You may find lenders who will offer 100 percent financing but the interest rate is a big reason to consider saving for six months on your own to save a down payment instead. The amount of interest you save in the final contract will more than pay for itself. Of course, you could just look at refinancing it at a later date to lower the interest rate - assuming that rates continue to go down. Tip #3. Compare products and pricing strategies between your lenders. They may all seem similar, but look closer, it's the subtle differences that can make or break your deal. Tip #4. When applying for your mortgage, consider using an on-line service that supplies your completed application to various lenders. By utilizing an online service your credit only gets hit once, and you can more easily see the results and compare the lenders to see the best deal. Tip #5. Consider making the effort to improve your credit score. There are so many simple ways that require little time investment it would be silly not to try them. The main thing to do, however, is to check your credit history on line and note any incorrect items. Whether you decide to try and dispute anything trivial, you should ensure that there is nothing on the report that shouldn't be. If your debt ratio is out of this galaxy, consider ways to consolidate debt. Also, employ some form of financial planning to help control your spending habits tightly enough to ensure that payments are made promptly and on time. An improving pattern of timely payments and a drop off in credit inquiries such as credit cards or car loans, etc. can help your credit seem more stable and loan worthy.