Buying a home after bankruptcy

Buying a home after filing bankruptcy is quite difficult. It affects your ability to take a loan in the coming months and sometimes in years but if you take proper steps then you can purchase a home after 18-24 months of filing bankruptcy. You have to wait until your bankruptcy case has been decided.

After bankruptcy, the most important step to take is to rebuild your credit scores. You must keep your credit scores perfect after bankruptcy and should have a steady job. Keeping credit scores perfect for nearly two years will bring back the faith of lenders in you. You have to prove to lenders that you can be trusted on paying back the money you owe. For this, you can apply for "installment loans" which can include student loan, car loan etc. and the only thing you have to do is pay your installments on time.

After improving your credit scores, you can go for FHA home loans as FHA requirements are flexible.

• two years have passed since bankruptcy have been discharged.
• three years have passed since a foreclosure
• all the judgments have been paid.

Your first home loan after a bankruptcy may be available to you on higher interest rates but if you can manage large down payment then, you can get loan at low interest rates.

Common myths of FHA loans

Myth # 1 - Government loans the money

Most common myth about FHA loan is that the loan is provided by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) which is not the case. Government only guarantees for your loan and because of this guarantee, these loans are less riskier for the lenders or banks.

Myth # 2 - FHA loan takes longer to get approved

FHA home loans take no longer than other conventional home loans if you are properly guided by FHA loan officer who understands FHA mortgages completely.

Myth # 3 - Credit Score doesn't matter

This is neither completely true neither completely false. You must have a strong credit history for the past 12 months or so. You should have made all your payments on time without any delay. FHA may also look at your phone bills, rent and other bills to know credit worthiness.

Tips to secure your FHA home loan

There are certain factors that you must keep in mind to secure your FHA home loan. Below are some simple tips on how you can secure your FHA insured mortgage.

• Credit score is the most important factor. You must clear your previous debts and should increase your credit score before going for the mortgage.

• You should not increase unnecessary debt using credit cards. You must limit its use and your spending money should be cash.

• You should consider your present financial conditions. If you don't have much savings and a good career then first you must improve your financial standing before buying a home.

• You must completely understand the procedure of the FHA loan processing and also pros and cons of the market before applying for the loan.

• You should compare the interest rates and the loan program of several lenders before finanlizing the loan.