Last Updated on December 10, 2023 by Eric Jeanette
If you have a recent chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy, you can still qualify for a mortgage to purchase or refinance your home. Depending upon which loan program you choose, the waiting period can be anywhere from 1 day after your discharge, to four years post discharge.
We have helped home buyers to finance their purchase for over two decades despite having a recent bankruptcy. Contact us here to discuss your options without a credit pull.
What is a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
A chapter 7 bankruptcy serves to wipe all of the debt clean through a liquidation from the date of discharge. The exception would be a primary residence home if the individual filing for bankruptcy wishes to retain the home. In that situation, the mortgage would remain outstanding and payments must be made. If the homeowner cannot make the payments on the home, the bank will foreclose on the property.
From a mortgage perspective, a Ch 7 bankruptcy has the longest waiting period before having the ability to qualify for a conventional, FHA, VA or USDA loan.
You should expect the down payment and interest rates to be higher due to the recent chapter 7 bankruptcy. In some instances the closing costs may also be higher.
What is a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
With a chapter 13 bankruptcy, the debt is not forgiven. There is a 3-5 year payment plan put in place to repay the creditors. Payments are made to the bankruptcy trustee who in turn makes payments to the creditors. The waiting period for a mortgage after a chapter 13 is shorter than a chapter 7.
On time repayment of the bankruptcy payment plan is critical in your ability to get approved. The interest rates and down payment may be lower than if you had a chapter 7 bankruptcy.
How to Get a Mortgage Right After a Bankruptcy
Many assume that after filing for a bankruptcy that you can not get a mortgage for at least 2-3 years until after it is discharged. While this is the case with most banks and mortgage companies, there are some non-prime lenders that do not have these sort of waiting periods. This means that you may be able to get a mortgage even just one day after a chapter 7 or a chapter 13 bankruptcy!
The first step is to speak with your bankruptcy attorney to discuss your desire to apply for a mortgage. There are times when the bankruptcy attorney will recommend a particular course of action regarding the bankruptcy which could hurt your chances of getting approved for a mortgage. You should also speak with us simultaneously to discuss your options before making any changes to your bankruptcy status.
Next, start to collect the required documentation prior to completing the mortgage application. You will likely need copies of your pay stubs, bank statements, W2s and tax returns.
What Do Bankruptcy Loans Offer?
Non-prime loans provide much more flexible qualification requirements than prime loans.
Several mortgage lenders offer non-prime loans, which have the following advantages:
- No waiting periods after any type of bankruptcy (including chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcies).
- There are also no waiting periods required after a foreclosure or short sale.
- Qualify with a credit score as low as 500.
- LTVs as high as 90%.
- Loan amounts available up to $5,000,000.
- DTI ratios as high as 50% accepted.
- Foreign nationals and ITIN borrowers may be eligible.
- Asset depletion allowed (use your assets instead of income to qualify).
- Options to use your bank statements instead of tax returns (bank statement loans for self-employed borrowers).
The exact requirements to get a non-prime loan vary from lender to lender. You can view 6 of the best non-prime lenders below. All of these lenders do not have any waiting periods after a bankruptcy. If you would like some assistance finding a lender, we can help match you with a lender.
Click here to get matched with a mortgage lender
Pros and Cons of a Mortgage after a Recent Bankruptcy
There are some benefits and also some drawbacks of getting a mortgage after a recent bankruptcy. We will take you through those pros and cons below.
Pros
- Purchase or refinance a home without the usual waiting period
- Cash out equity of your current home to pay down new debt
- You can purchase, refinance or cash out with a bankruptcy mortgage
- The program is available with lower credit scores
- Available just one day after your discharge date
- You can refinance once the usual waiting period as ended.
Cons
- Not all mortgage programs are available with a recent bankruptcy
- The down payment will be higher and possibly as much as 25%
- The interest rate will be higher than conventional or FHA
- Your mortgage payments will likely be higher
- It is not easy to find a lender that is willing to accept borrowers with a recent bankruptcy
6 Bankruptcy Lenders with no Waiting Periods After a Bankruptcy
Below are a few of the best mortgage companies that deal with bankruptcies differently than traditional lenders. All of these lenders offer opportunities to get a mortgage immediately after a bankruptcy. These are also mortgage lenders who work with Chapter 13.
1 – Dream Home Financing
Dream Home Financing is a company that has been in business for close to 20 years. They match borrowers with the right lender for each situation. They can help you to finance your home if you have a recent Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy without the usual waiting period.
There are options for just one day out of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy or after just 12 payments during a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Credit scores can be as low as 500 for a Chapter 13 and mid 500’s for a Chapter 7. Your down payments and other terms will vary based upon your credit scores. Click to speak with them
2 – Acra Lending
Acra Lending does not require any waiting period after a bankruptcy. They also are very lenient on what credit scores they will approve (often applicants with a credit score in the 500’s will still qualify). The maximum LTV ratio (loan-to-value ratio) that they allow is 90%. Acra Lending offers loan amounts up to $3,000,000. Contact
3 – First National Bank of America
First National Bank allows the highest max DTI ratio (55%) of any mortgage lender that offers mortgage loans without a waiting period after a bankruptcy. The highest LTV allows is 80%, and they have flexible income and credit qualification guidelines. Contact
4 – ACC Mortgage
ACC Mortgage offers what they call a “Second Chance Purchase Program”, which allows borrowers to get a new mortgage immediately after a bankruptcy is discharged. Another great aspect of this mortgage program is that there is no minimum credit score requirement. Contact
5 – Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions
The non-prime program offered by Angel Oak does not have any seasoning requirements for bankruptcies, foreclosures, or short sales. This means that you can be only 1 day out of bankruptcy, and still may qualify. As for credit score requirements, they often allow credit scores all the way down to a 500! The maximum LTV allowed is 85%, so be prepared to put 15% down if you qualify for a loan through Angel Oak. Contact
6 – Green Box Loans
Green Box Loans actually requires you to be 1 year out of a bankruptcy before being eligible for a new mortgage. This is still better than most lenders guidelines, so we felt it would be worth including them in this list. Contact
Bankruptcy Waiting Periods for Mortgages
Below is some information on the waiting periods to get a mortgage after a bankruptcy. This includes details on the waiting periods for conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans, and USDA loans.
Conventional Mortgage After a Bankruptcy
Until recently, Fannie Mae required that a borrower wait at least 4 years after their bankruptcy discharged before they would be eligible to apply for a conventional loan. Some great news, is in 2023, this waiting period has been reduced to only 2 years.
You will likely need to rebuild your credit, but fortunately you may be able to get a conventional loan only just 24 months after your bankruptcy is discharged.
FHA Loan During and After a Bankruptcy
The FHA rules state that you must wait at least 2 years after filing a chapter 7 bankruptcy. Some banks may require a longer time to pass, but many FHA lenders will approve an application only after 2 years.
There can be exceptions to the FHA waiting period after a Ch7 bankruptcy if you can prove financial hardship caused by extenuating circumstances.
For a chapter 13, you only need to wait until you have successfully made 12 months of payments. Additionally, you will need to provide the court trustee’s written approval. Also, keep in mind that the clock doesn’t start upon filing, but rather once the bankruptcy has been discharged.
USDA Loan Immediately After Bankruptcy
The USDA rules are similar to the FHA. You will need to wait at least 2 years after filing a chapter 7 bankruptcy. For a chapter 13 bankruptcy, you may be eligible after making 1 years worth of payments on time.
As you can see, there are different rules related to waiting periods for various types of mortgage programs. If you have had a recent bankruptcy, you may have options to get a mortgage. If you would like some help finding a mortgage lender, we can help match you with a lender in your location.
Click here to get matched with a mortgage lender
Getting a Mortgage After a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
If you went through a foreclosure and bankruptcy around the same time, which is quite common, there are more steps that may be needed prior to being eligible for a conventional, FHA, or USDA loan. What often occurs is a foreclosure and bankruptcy in a short period of time. Many times, if someone loses a job, they will foreclose and then file for bankruptcy not long after. Many lenders charge what is known as a “deficiency” to recover losses from the foreclosed property. This leads many to file for a chapter 7 bankruptcy in order to clear the deficiency.
Whatever your reason was for foreclosing and filing for bankruptcy, you may have a chance to purchase a home again using a conventional, FHA, or USDA loan. The clock for your waiting period will begin once either the home has fully foreclosed, or your bankruptcy has been discharged, whichever occurs last.
We understand there is a lot to grasp when embarking on becoming a homeowner again after a bankruptcy. Would you like some assistance in getting your questions answered, and finding the best mortgage lender for your particular situation? We provide a free lender matching service, and would be glad to provide you a free consultation to learn about your options.
Another Option With a Recent Bankruptcy
Peoples Bank
Peoples Bank has multiple loan options after bankruptcy but they mostly handle individuals who have already been discharged from a Ch 13 bankruptcy. If you are still making payments, then this may not be the option for you. Contact
Mortgage Lenders that Work with Chapter 13
Many lenders claim to accept applications from people who have been through a chapter 13 bankruptcy. However, most of those lenders are still asking for the traditional waiting period after the discharge date.
We work with a few lenders who can help with a mortgage before your chapter 13 is discharged. You simply need to have made on time bankruptcy payments for at least one year.
Bankruptcy Friendly Credit Unions
One of the advantages of a credit union is they may have flexible lending guidelines. Some bankruptcy friendly credit unions may not require a waiting period after your bankruptcy discharge.
Meanwhile, one of the challenges is finding these credit unions because they are often small and do not advertise. If you need help getting a mortgage after a bankruptcy without waiting, then just contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting a Mortgage After a Bankruptcy
What documents do I need to provide when applying for a mortgage after Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
You will need the same documents as you would if applying for a mortgage without a bankruptcy. Expect to provide your last 30 day pay stubs, last two months bank statements, last two years of W2s and last two years of tax returns.
How can I improve my chances of getting approved by mortgage lenders after Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
You can improve your chances of getting approved by improving your credit score and having a large down payment.
Can a mortgage lender help me rebuild my credit after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
A good loan officer who is experienced can provide you with some guidance on how to rebuild your credit.
What is the difference between a mortgage lender and a traditional bank?
A traditional bank offers the ability to have bank deposits, checking accounts, credit cards, and other services. Mortgage lenders solely focus on providing mortgages.
What interest rates can I expect when getting a mortgage with chapter 7 bankruptcy?
You should expect the interest rate to be at least 1-2% higher than conventional loans depending upon your credit scores and down payment.
What is the down payment needed for a mortgage after a bankruptcy?
The down payment requirement when applying for a mortgage immediately after a bankruptcy discharge is at least 20%. However, you can get an FHA loan with just 3.5% down if you have a chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Mortgage after Bankruptcy Facts
1. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a type of bankruptcy filing in the United States which limits borrower’s ability to secure a mortgage.
2. Some mortgage lenders are open to working with individuals who have filed for a bankruptcy.
3. These lenders may offer specialized loan programs or conditions for borrowers with a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy on their record.
4. The eligibility criteria and terms for obtaining a mortgage after a bankruptcy may vary from lender to lender.
5. Working with a mortgage lender that specializes in bankruptcies can help borrowers navigate the complexities of obtaining a mortgage loan after bankruptcy.
Statistics About Getting a Mortgage Just After a Bankruptcy
Other Helpful Articles
Finding a mortgage with a recent Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Applying for a mortgage while still in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
