Your Credit Report is Affected by Foreclosure
Posted by: real estate / Category: ForeclosuresMany people who have been foreclosed upon hire a credit counselor to help mop up that messy credit report. Not only are all the missed payments tarnishing your record, but there’s a “Notice of Trust Sale” and a “Trust Deed Sale” sitting ugly as well. Chances are, there is more than one area you are struggling with, so prioritizing with a counselor can definitely help. It’s good to have someone working with you to improve your situation and increase the bad credit scores you’ve suffered.
While the full impact of a foreclosure isn’t likely to go away over the next year, you needn’t suffer mercilessly for the next seven. Remember that the last 12 months factor most prevalently on your credit score, so a quick rebound is your best chance at regaining financial freedom once again.
First of all, you’ll have to face the long-term repercussions and navigate the waves of your poor decision if the foreclosure is already on your record. The next five years could be problematic and you may be turned down for lines of credit, a car loan or a personal loan.
To get the best interest rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage, banks will require you to put 20% down and have a credit score of 740 or higher, although some banks may settle for 620 with 10% down. To get back on track with clear credit, pull your credit report at “Annual Credit Report” to see where else you may need repairs.
So which is worse for your credit score, a foreclosure or a bankruptcy? Even though bankruptcy stays on your credit for 10 years and a foreclosure for 7, “a foreclosure is very serious to mortgage lenders,” said Ray Hooper, Education and Housing Director for the Consumer Credit Counseling Service.
“They’re going look at a foreclosure more seriously than they will a bankruptcy that doesn’t include the house.” Hooper says if you’re receiving default notices but still want to keep your house, then you’ll need to catch up on those missed payments.
You can modify the agreement to a lower interest loan or ask for forbearance, which involves the lender agreeing to suspend payments until you get back on your feet. If you outspent yourself and wound up in a real pickle, then you can ask the lender to hold off on foreclosing until you sell.
In some cases, you might not get the asking price and will still owe money to the lender. This procedure is called a short sale. In other cases, you may negotiate a “deed in lieu of foreclosure,” which means you will give your house back to the bank and walk away with nothing, including clear credit.
When faced with foreclosure, the first thing many people consider is bankruptcy. However, this should be used as a last resort because it is so damaging to your credit report. If you file for bankruptcy, then you will also still have to make your monthly payments, although you’ll have the protection of the court while you catch up.
What many people don’t realize is that they can usually negotiate a repayment plan with their lender, which will allow them to catch up on missed payments over a period of 3-18 months, bit by bit. This will only have a moderate effect on your credit score that can be repaired within a year or two.
If you began missing payments due to an unexpected medical expense, a loss of employment or another incident, then you can apply for a special forbearance, which will give you a small grace period before the payment schedule is resumed.
Mike Selvon’s portal will expand your knowledge on the credit report. Visit us and leave a comment at our credit score factors blog where a free gift awaits you.
Mike_Selvon
Last 5 posts in Foreclosures
- Government Tax Foreclosures Can Be Amazing Opportunities - April 1st, 2009
- Clean Foreclosure Homes - Where to Get Clients Who Need Your Services - April 1st, 2009
- Prevent Foreclosure Scams - April 1st, 2009
- How Do You Buy Foreclosed Properties? - April 1st, 2009
- Owner Financing - The Foreclosure Process - April 1st, 2009
Things to know:
1. Check your financial status: can you afford a new home at a recession period? Do you have an emergency fund you can count on for at least six months? Are you sure you have a steady job as well as a stable job? Do you have enough money for the down payment?
2. Get a credible and well informed estate broker that could give you information about the best mortgage lenders. Do a proper research on few of them and establish a relation with at least two of them. This might involve opening account with the two. This… Continue reading
Since 2007 the housing market has been in turmoil.
Lenders stopped lending, house builders stopped building and home owners have slid in to negative equity.
Month after month house prices have slipped making the average price of a property in the region of 20% less than it was at peak. Only in recent months have the declines in the monthly falls really been noticed.
Many home owners are now stuck in negative equity unable to move. During the boom years when their house was worth a lot more they may have used the equity available from their home as unearned income. With this… Continue reading
With these first time home buyer grants from the government, new home owners can get down payment assistance to help them purchase their brand new home. This is funding that is provided to tax paying citizen, generally through local government agencies, and can be obtained regardless of income or credit.
First time home buyer grants can provide as much as $20,000 in cash to be used towards your down payment or closing costs. That’s instant equity that you can put into your home and more money that you can keep in your pocket.
Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases… Continue reading
OWN: Your home builds equity for your future. You can use equity to move up to a new larger home one day, or to help send your children to college.RENT: No equity is built, no matter how long you rent. It’s like pouring money down the drain.
OWN: You control your monthly payment.RENT: Landlord controls payment.
OWN: New home buying tip: mortgage interest is tax-deductible. The government’s loss is your gain.RENT: No tax benefits.
OWN: A nice, safe backyard for children to play. You have room for pets, and also a garden.RENT: No backyard, no garden. Often pets not allowed.
OWN: A new garage… Continue reading
Related posts
Tags: Foreclosure, mortgage, mortgage lender, trust deed