Introduction
When it comes to securing a mortgage, credit problems can make the process much more challenging. Some of the most common credit problems that can make it difficult to get approved for a mortgage include missed payments, defaults, CCJs (County Court Judgements), and bankruptcy.
Missed payments occur when you fail to make a payment on time, whether it’s a credit card, loan, or utility bill. DefaultsMissed payments on credit accounts, which can affect a borro... are more serious and occur when you fail to make several consecutive payments on a debt, resulting in the lender taking action to recover the funds owed.
CCJs are issued when a lender takes legal action against you to recover an unpaid debt. They can stay on your credit report for up to six years and can seriously impact your credit score.
Bankruptcy is a legal process that can be initiated by either an individual or a creditor, resulting in the person’s assets being sold to pay off their debts. It stays on your credit report for up to 10 years and can make it difficult to get approved for credit, including a mortgage.
If you have any of these credit problems, it can make it much more challenging to get approved for a mortgage from a mainstream lender. However, working with an adverse credit broker can help you to find lenders who are willing to consider your application, even if you have credit problems in your history.
At our firm, we have experience working with borrowers with all types of credit problems, and we’re committed to helping them find the right mortgage product for their needs. If you’re worried about your credit history and how it might impact your ability to secure a mortgage, get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help.
How an Adverse Credit Broker Can Help?
A mortgage specialist who specialises in working with borrowers with poor credit histories can be a valuable resource when it comes to securing a mortgage. They can assist in a number of ways, including:
Expertise in the market for credit-impaired borrowers: Mortgage specialists who work with borrowers with bad credit have a deep understanding of the market. They know which lenders are willing to consider applications from those with poor credit, and they understand the nuances of the products available to these borrowers.
Access to specialist lenders:
Mortgage specialists who work with borrowers with bad credit have relationships with specialist lenders who are willing to lend to those with less-than-perfect credit scores. These lenders may not be available through mainstream channels, so having access to them can significantly increase your chances of getting approved for a mortgage.
Guidance on improving your credit score:
A good mortgage specialist will not only help you find a mortgage product that suits your needs, but they will also offer advice on how to improve your credit score in the future. This can be invaluable if you want to improve your chances of securing credit in the long term.
Help with the application process:
Applying for a mortgage can be a daunting process, especially if you have bad credit. A mortgage specialist who works with borrowers with poor credit can guide you through the process, helping you to complete the paperwork and provide all the necessary information to the lender.
Tailored advice and recommendations:
Mortgage specialists who work with borrowers with bad credit take the time to understand your individual circumstances and needs. They can provide tailored advice and recommendations based on your specific situation, ensuring that you get the best possible outcome for your mortgage application.
If you have ever missed a payment or defaulted on the repayment of debts or credit, had to manage your debts by reaching an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) with your creditors, or declared bankruptcy, you are likely to struggle to get a mortgage. In these circumstances, you are said to have adverse credit, which makes getting a mortgage more difficult. Any lender will look to your record of managing debt and other lines of credit as a measure of your responsibility and reliability towards any new lending in the shape of a mortgage.
An adverse credit broker can help you overcome the challenges of having bad credit and secure a mortgage that meets your needs. By reviewing your credit file, they can offer guidance on how to improve your credit score and recommend products that are suited to your specific circumstances. They have access to specialist lenders who are willing to lend to those with poor credit histories and can guide you through the application process to ensure that you have the best chance of getting approved.
In summary, if you have bad credit, working with an adverse credit broker can be a smart choice. They have the expertise, relationships, and experience to help you navigate the complex world of specialist lenders and mortgage products and increase your chances of getting approved for a mortgage that meets your needs.
What to Look for in an Adverse Credit Broker
An adverse credit broker
That is where a specialist adverse credit mortgage broker may come in. Brokers such as this have expertise and experience that ranges across the whole of the mortgage market.
A specialist bad credit mortgages broker is familiar with those lenders accustomed to providing adverse credit mortgages and is aware of the extent to which you might need to save for a bigger deposit, be offered a lower maximum loan to valueThe ratio of the mortgage amount to the value of the propert... (LTV) by the lender, or a less competitive rate of interest.
Thanks to that network of specialist adverse credit mortgage lenders, your specialist broker is well-placed to match your particular financial needs and circumstances with the relatively limited mortgage products available. Indeed, there are likely to be mortgage products only available to those making a mortgage application via a broker – products which are not otherwise available if you were to approach a lender directly.
Not only is an adverse credit broker better able to match your particular circumstances to the products available, but he may also help to ensure that you avoid making mortgage applications where there is a high risk of your being rejected. If you are rejected for any credit application – including a mortgage advance – that rejection is recorded on your credit history and affects your rating still more adversely.
The effect is to make future applications for a mortgage more difficult. You will be grateful, therefore, to the adverse credit broker who is able to steer you away from lenders offering little hope of granting you a mortgage.
All in all, you may be surprised by the network a specialist adverse credit broker has been able to build up. Applicants with a less-than-healthy credit rating, for instance, are often offered a lower loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage – they will need to save for a bigger deposit than other homebuyers may need.
While conceding that it is not very likely, credit reference agency Equifax suggests that it might even be possible for someone with adverse credit to get a zero-deposit mortgage – you may need to instruct a suitably specialist adverse credit mortgage broker to find this kind of deal.
Repair your credit rating
Depending on your particular circumstances – the extent to which your credit rating is adversely affected – and the urgency with which you are looking to secure a bad credit mortgage, a specialist broker may also be able to help you repair a poor credit rating.
In an article dated the 17th of March 2020, the Money Saving Expert encouraged anyone to check their credit rating regularly, especially before making an application with such a potentially significant impact as a mortgage.
To maximise your chances of a higher credit score – and to avoid your rating being dragged down by inaccurate or out-of-date information – the article suggested as many as 27 ways in which you might boost or repair your current rating.
Some tips are simple and straightforward, such as ensuring that you visit the government website to sign on to the electoral roll in your area. Having your name registered on the electoral roll is often a factor in determining your score by a credit reference agency or simply confirming your identity and place of residence.
Other repairs to your credit rating may involve more time and you might want to discuss with your adverse credit broker whether there is sufficient opportunity to make those repairs or to continue your mortgage application with your credit rating as it currently stands.
Applying for a Mortgage with an Adverse Credit Broker
Step 1: Initial Consultation
The first step in applying for a mortgage with an adverse credit broker is to schedule an initial consultation. During this meeting, you’ll discuss your financial situation and your credit history. It’s important to be honest, and open about any credit issues you may have had in the past, as this will help the broker provide you with the best possible advice and guidance.
Step 2: Assessment
Once the broker has a clear understanding of your financial situation, they will assess your creditworthiness and identify any potential obstacles to securing a mortgage. This will help them determine the best course of action to take in terms of finding a lender who is willing to work with them.
Step 3: Pre-Approval
If the broker determines that you are eligible for a mortgage, they will help you obtain pre-approval from a lender. This is an important step as it gives you a clear idea of how much you can afford to borrow and helps you narrow down your property search.
Step 4: Property Search
With pre-approval in hand, you can begin your property search in earnest. Your adverse credit broker can provide guidance on what to look for in a property and offer advice on how to structure your offer to make it more attractive to the seller.
Step 5: Formal Application
Once you have identified a property and made an offer, your adverse credit broker will help you complete the formal application process. This will involve gathering all the necessary documentation, including proof of income, bank statementsA record of a borrower's financial transactions often requir..., and credit reports.
Step 6: Mortgage Offer
If your application is successful, you will receive a mortgage offer from the lender. Your adverse credit broker will help you review the offer and ensure that the terms are favourable and meet your needs. If everything looks good, you can accept the offer and move forward with the purchase.
It’s important to note that providing accurate information and being honest about your credit history is crucial throughout the application process. Any discrepancies or misrepresentations can lead to delays, additional fees, or even the rejection of your application. By being transparent and upfront, you can help your adverse credit broker find the best possible mortgage product for your needs and increase your chances of getting approved.
Next Steps
In conclusion, securing a mortgage with bad credit can be a daunting prospect, but it is not impossible. Working with an adverse credit broker can make all the difference when it comes to navigating the complex world of specialist lenders and mortgage products.
The key takeaways from this article are:
- An adverse credit broker can help you access specialist lenders who are willing to lend to those with bad credit.
- They can offer guidance on improving your credit score and help you through the application process.
- Being honest and upfront about your credit history is crucial throughout the application process.
If you’re feeling discouraged about your chances of getting a mortgage with bad credit, we encourage you to reach out to our team of expert brokers at needingadvice.co.uk ltd. We specialize in working with borrowers with poor credit histories and have the expertise and experience to help you find the best possible mortgage product for your needs.
Our team can provide tailored advice and recommendations based on your specific situation and guide you through the application process from start to finish. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve their dreams of homeownership, and we are here to help you make that dream a reality.
So, if you’re ready to take the next step, we invite you to contact us today. You can get in touch with our team by filling out the form on our website or by emailing us directly at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you on your journey to homeownership.