Although it is sometimes difficult to do so, it is possible for a person who has been through foreclosure to buy a house after the foreclosure is behind him or her. A person who wants to buy a home after foreclosure should consider the reasons that led to the foreclosure before, whether it was from misconduct by the mortgage lender or a financial problem. Reviewing these reasons may help avoid foreclosure in the future.
Once a person goes through foreclosure, it is noted on his or her credit report. If there were missed payments before foreclosure, these will be noted on the credit report, as well. These notations may affect a person’s credit score and ability to get approved for another mortgage loan. A person buying a home after foreclosure is likely to be offered higher interest rates for loans than a person who has not, but this also depends on a person’s credit score.
Typically, homeowners also have to wait a certain number of years before applying for a loan to buy a home. If applying for a federal housing administration (FHA) loan, a three-year wait from the time the foreclosure is completed is required. Some lenders can overlook this waiting period, but this is likely to come with steep interest rates on the loan and other unfavorable terms. Military servicemen and others whose foreclosed loans were government-backed loans may have to satisfy other requirements before they are approved for other government-backed loans.
It is critical for a person seeking a mortgage loan to look into various lenders and research the terms they offer, especially to former homeowners who lost their homes to foreclosure. Shopping around for the best terms can help save money in the long run. In addition to considering the financial terms offered by a prospective lender, the person seeking the loan should investigate the loan modification options available to borrowers.
The lender may need to be convinced that a person who has previously gone through foreclosure will not default on payments as before. This can be done in various ways, including remaining current on all other bills. Saving a down payment to purchase the home will also help convince the lender that you are likely to keep up with the payments.
A person who lost a home through foreclosure should ensure that he or she does not lie about the foreclosure or try to hide it on loan application documents. A lender who does its due diligence in checking the financial status of the prospective borrower will almost always catch misrepresentation by a borrower, and it will mean that the lender does not approve the loan.
Contact an Experienced Attorney
If you are going through a financial hardship and are facing foreclosure, you need to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. For more information and to find out if you have a valid defense to foreclosure on your home, call us at Resnick Law, P.C., in Bloomfield Hills and Detroit, Michigan. Our experienced attorneys can guide you through possible defenses and different alternatives to avoid foreclosure. Additionally, we can advise you if filing for and bankruptcy is in your best interest.
(image courtesy of Valentine Locatelli)
