Bankruptcy And Bad Credit Issues No Longer Means No Mortgage

Bankruptcy (Photo credit: phil dokas)In the past, traditional mortgage lenders have automatically rejected people who had declared personal bankruptcy. Many potential home-buyers felt they must wait at least seven to 10 years after a bankruptcy to be eligible to become homeowners. This is a common misconception.
While some people declaring bankruptcy have had trouble managing their money, a large number of those declaring have simply experienced unfortunate events. Australians are filing bankruptcy at record-high levels over the last five years. The rise in petrol price and the recent increase in interest rates won't help either.
There are some ominous signs out there...
Though a bankruptcy is certainly a blemish on a credit report, it does not necessarily disqualify a borrower. Recognising that sometimes bad things happen to good people, some select loan officers are becoming more willing to take a calculated risk.
Some lenders use a securing system to determine whether potential buyers are a worthwhile risk. Unfortunately, bankruptcy gives a low rating. However, select lenders are beginning to look beyond the rating and look at the individuals in need.
Instead of waiting two or four years after being discharged from bankruptcy, some mortgage professionals are willing to give a home loan much sooner. Those who have declared bankruptcy liquidation may be eligible for a loan one year after discharge, and those who are in a Part IX debt agreement could also be able to get a mortgage.
Another common misconception is that a previous bankruptcy on your credit report will require you to have a large down payment and pay extremely high interest rates. There are currently programs available with as little as 5 percent down with very attractive rates.
Some lenders are even prequalifying buyers for a loan, saving time and making the home-buying experience easier and more efficient. When a buyer prequalifies they will have the advantage of greater negotiating power.
No matter what the situation, select mortgage professionals have a program that will work for the buyer with a bankruptcy history. If a buyer cannot get approved, there are customized plans that can re-establish credit to help the buyer become mortgage-ready, ensuring home-ownership in the future.
Because of new options, bankruptcy no longer needs to stand in the way of getting a home loan. With the help of more creative lenders, those who have experienced financial difficulty will have an easier time getting a mortgage.
To your ongoing financial success,
Julian Thornton
Julian Thornton is the bad credit and mortgage reduction expert with a special interest in improving financial literacy and financial independence for the average person on the street. He is the founding president of The International Family Financial Literacy Association.

Repairing Credit Record - Simple Steps To Restoring Your Credit File

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeIf you've been hearing the media, the big lenders and the majority of mortgage brokers over recent years, chances are you'll know that if you have bad credit issues detailed on your Credit File, you won't get a mortgage from a bank. You'll also find that most mortgage brokers won't be able to help you either. This said though, you can still get a home loan, even with problems listed in your Credit Report. It's always a good idea to work hard to restore your Credit File, and this might sound complicated, but it's not. I'll show you why!
The Steps to Follow
In just a few straightforward steps you can do a great deal to restore your Credit File, which is something you must do for your own financial good. Here's what you need to do:
oObtain a copy of your Credit File: This is really easy to do. Just visit http://www.mycreditfile.com.au and you can request a copy of your Credit File from Baycorp Advantage - the company that takes care of Credit Reports in Australia.
oRead the Credit File carefully: This is very important because the outcome of your loan applications is based upon what is contained in this document. Check the file carefully to ensure there are no errors or omissions. That's right - you can be penalised if important details are not contained within your Credit File, so be meticulous in your examination of it.
oWrite down any questions you have: Financial documents can be confusing to many people, so if you have any questions or need clarification about anything in your file, take notes on paper and make a phone call to Baycorp to seek answers.
oReport any mistakes: If you see on your file accounts or outstanding debts that you do not believe are yours, find out why they are listed on your report. This is very important. Raise the issue with Baycorp. More than likely there won't be anything to be alarmed about. Normally such entries are the result of the credit activity of a family member, however credit fraud is on the rise in Australia, so your vigilance is important.
oPay any outstanding debts reported on your Credit File: By committing to a plan that allows you to repay any of your outstanding debts, you are sending a really positive message to lenders. Your Credit File details your repayments, so your hard work will be noticed. By paying such debts, you are also improving your own money management skills.
Can I Remove Legitimate Listings on my Credit File?
It is impossible to remove any legitimate listings on your Credit File, because quite simply, this information is on your file for a reason. In repairing your Credit File, it is best to follow the above mentioned steps and avoid any credit repair companies that claim they can remove any negative listings on your Credit File. Only you have the power to request the removal of any Credit File listings that are proven to be illegitimate or made in error.
Build for your Financial Future - Start Repairing the Damage!
Whatever you do, don't be discouraged by any negative inclusions in your Credit File. See this as a wake up call and an opportunity to pursue financial success. By following the steps outlined above, you are teaching yourself good money management skills, which if you maintain, will last a lifetime! For further assistance on how you can turn your bad credit situation around, please contact a bad credit mortgage specialist with a great reputation today.
Julian Thornton is a Melbourne-based mortgage specialist who owns and operates the highly successful Designer Mortgage Solutions Pty Ltd. Although specializing in the field of bad credit mortgages and debt elimination, Julian can help anybody into their own home and prepare them for financial success. Julian can be contacted by email at julian

Roles of Credit Repair Companies - Credit Repair Companies - What they Can and Can't Do

If you are currently struggling with the consequences of bad credit, chances are you are really hungry for a solution to your money problems. The telephone calls from collections agencies, the demands of payment in your mailbox, the constant living on the smell of an oily rag, the bank account continuously going into the red…it makes for a stressful way of life, and you deserve better. You turn the television on and the second commercial you see is for a company that promises to repair your credit file. Sounds great right? After all, you’ve lost track of the defaults you’ve accrued, and bankruptcy…that’s something you’re beginning to think is inevitable.
You’ve seen the Ads, so what is a Credit Repair Company?
It’s fairly self-explanatory really. A credit repair company is a firm that works with you to improve your bad credit situation. Such companies can do the following for you:
•Identify mistakes on your Credit File: It is possible that some entries on your Credit File were made in error, or as the result of fraudulent activity (e.g. if somebody stole your wallet, with your ID and applied for a loan under your name). Credit repair companies can identify such errors and bring them to your attention. You can then approach Baycorp Advantage – the company who looks after Credit Files – and put forward your case proving the error and asking for the removal of the entry. Only you are authorised to put forward such a case.
•Negotiate your Debt Down: Credit repair companies can act on your behalf to negotiate with your creditors, in an effort to reduce your debt. They can do this by proposing an informal agreement with your creditors, or a formal debt agreement (also known as a part IX or X).
•Work with you to Consolidate Debt: Such companies may secure loans for their clients that allow you to combine all of your debts into one loan, which can free up extra money for you each month.
•Arrange Mortgage Refinancing: If you are in debt, these companies may be able to propose a refinance option for you. By refinancing, you use the equity in your home to pay off the more urgent (i.e. higher interest) debts. This method can also allow you to consolidate your debts into one easy monthly payment, which can help you become a better money manager.
•Advise you of when Bankruptcy is Best: Bankruptcy should only ever be viewed as a last resort, and these companies can assess your situation to determine if bankruptcy is your only option.
What a Credit Repair Company Cannot Do
As you may already have guessed, there are some things that credit repair companies cannot do. A credit repair company cannot:
•Remove items from your Credit File that are Legitimate: If you have defaults, judgements or writs that are legitimately on your Credit File, a credit repair company cannot remove them. These items are on your Credit File for a reason, and cannot be removed by anybody.
When Should I see a Credit Repair Company?
If you are struggling with financial issues, or feeling like you have lost control of your financial situation, you need to speak to a credit repair specialist. Find a good, reputable company that specialises in credit repair, and find out how you can turn your bad credit situation around. The path to a good credit, financially independent future is only a phone call away, so don’t wait another minute!
Julian Thornton is a Melbourne-based mortgage specialist who owns and operates the highly successful Designer Mortgage Solutions Pty Ltd. Although specializing in the field of bad credit mortgages and debt elimination, Julian can help anybody into their own home and prepare them for financial success. Julian can be contacted by email at julian