Refinancing After Bankruptcy

Refinancing after a bankruptcy can seem like an especially difficult challenge, but it doesn't have to be. Six months after your bankruptcy has been finalized, you can find lenders willing to refinance your mortgage. In fact, refinancing your mortgage can help rebuild your credit to good standing in two year's time. The following steps will help you find the best refinance lender while helping your rebuild your credit record.

Preparing For Refinancing

Right after bankruptcy, you have six months to prepare to refinance your mortgage. Begin by establishing good payment history by regularly paying your bills and current mortgage. This is also a good time to open a credit card account to start establishing good credit history.

If possible, also start building up a savings account. The more cash assets you have, the better your application will look. Consider having a garage sale or taking a second job to raise funds.

Researching Lenders

Once you are ready to refinance, research mortgage lenders and their rates. Online mortgage websites allow easy comparison shopping. Look at both interest rates and fees of refinancing quotes. Usually a slightly higher rate with low fees is the best deal.

With bankruptcy on your credit report, you will typically need to work with a sub prime lender. You can expect to pay a few percentage points above a traditional mortgage, which you can find through online mortgage companies.

Choosing Your Refinancing Package

You may be offered a chance to cash out part of your home's equity when refinancing your mortgage. If you need to make home improvements or buy a car, this may be a good option. However, if you keep your home's equity in place, you are improving your credit.

Once you have decided on your terms, you can finish your loan application online or through the mail. Quotes are not guaranteed, so rates may vary slightly once your application has been approved. Before the loan is finalized though you have the opportunity to review the loan again.

After Refinancing

With your refinancing completed, you can plan to lower your interest rates through refinancing in two years by building up your credit score. Continue to make regular payments and add to your cash reserves. Before you apply to refinance again, review your credit report to be sure your bankruptcy closed all past accounts on your record. With a solid credit history behind you, you can apply to traditional mortgage lenders.

To view our recommended sources for refinancing after a bankruptcy online, visit this page: Recommended Bad Credit Mortgage Lenders Online.

Carrie Reeder is the owner ABC Loan Guide, an informational website about various types of loans.

In The News:


ABC News

Two-Thirds of Homeowners Might Find Hope
Housing Wire - 16 hours ago
Two-thirds of homeowners surveyed in September said they met criteria for a mortgage refinancing program available through Hope for Homeowners, according to ...
CCCS of Greater Atlanta survey: 65% qualify for housing bill relief Bizjournals.com
Federal bailout lacks control of home loans to aid owners Boston Globe
Bailout skips strapped homeowners, advocates say San Jose Mercury News
MLive.com - News Sentinelall 599 news articles

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The right solution
Baltimore Sun, United States - 6 hours ago
In the past 18 months, at least 8100 homeowners took it upon themselves to refinance mortgages to get a better, more stable rate, according to state figures ...
Deal May Bring Mortgage Assistance Hartford Courant
Mortgage relief deal Chicago Sun-Times
Cox Announces Michigan Settlement With Mortgage Lender Countrywide MarketWatch
Fort Worth Star Telegram - Southtown Starall 1,261 news articles

Christian Science Monitor

Mortgage refinancing wave seen silver lining to market woe
Reuters - Sep 15, 2008
Yields on mortgage-backed securities that also dictate rates lenders can offer also fell, albeit to a lesser degree. The 30-year fixed rate on Monday ...
Lower rates don't guarantee homeowners can refinance Seattle Post Intelligencer
Applications to refinance mortgages surge as rates drop below 6% USA Today
Fickle Mortgage Market Demands Quick Decisions Washington Post
Boston Globe - Newsdayall 221 news articles

House of cards built with good intentions
The Australian, Australia - 51 minutes ago
Americans can take out a mortgage loan more or less as a one-way bet. If you can't afford the repayments and can't refinance, you just send the keys back to ...

Many pieces go flying from mortgage implosion
Dallas Morning News, TX - Oct 5, 2008
"People were [refinancing] to pay off other debts," said Ms. Watson. "The saying was, 'Why get a car loan when you can get a mortgage loan and write off ...
Protect Taxpayers Hartford Courant
all 96 news articles

Mortgage Loan Applicants Are Welcomed at Family First Federal ...
MarketWatch - 23 hours ago
The credit union provides various mortgage services including construction loans, mortgage refinance and home equity options. Anyone who lives, works, ...

Marwan Bin Ghalita
Kipp Report, United Arab Emirates - 15 hours ago
Last year, Amlak announced plans to become a founding shareholder of the Egyptian Mortgage Refinance Company (EMRC) through Amlak Egypt. ...

Special Offer: Refinance Your Business-Occupied or Commercial Real ...
Emediawire (press release), WA - 5 hours ago
Mortgage rates are starting at 5.99% on a 10-year term that is amortized over 20 years, this means lower payments for borrowers on their business occupied ...

Not Everyone Should Own a Home
Wall Street Journal - 23 hours ago
Americans can take out a mortgage more or less as a one-way bet. If you can't afford the repayments and can't refinance, you just send the keys back to the ...

How You May Qualify For a “Short Pay” Refinance
TransWorldNews (press release), GA - 19 hours ago
If you are upside down and have no lates on your mortgage, you may qualify for what is called a “Short Pay” refinance. Basically, what the Government is ...
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