Can You Refinance After Bankruptcy?

Do you have a bankruptcy on your record? If so, you might think it’ll be impossible for you to refinance your home. While it’s true that bankruptcy affects your mortgage, refinancing isn’t totally out of the question.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how a previous bankruptcy might affect a future home refinance. We’ll cover how the different types of bankruptcies affect your ability to refinance as well as some other factors you’ll need to consider. Finally, we’ll help you figure out the best strategies for getting your mortgage refinanced after bankruptcy.

The good news is that yes, most borrowers can refinance a mortgage after bankruptcy – but it’ll take years of effort at repairing your credit before most reputable lenders will approve your refinance application at reasonable interest rates.

The bad news is that, in the meantime, homeowners who’ve experienced bankruptcy need to be keenly aware that many mortgage scams prey on people with credit problems.

But first, let’s consider the different types of bankruptcies and how they affect your financial future.

The process you’ll follow to refinance after bankruptcy depends on the type of bankruptcy you’ve gone through. Let’s go over the differences between the most common types of bankruptcy available to individuals: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

What Is A Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

Chapter 7, sometimes called a traditional bankruptcy, discharges your debts. The debtor might have to liquidate some of their property to satisfy some of their debts, but there are exemptions that generally protect the primary residence and a personal vehicle that are within value limits, and most personal belongings. In return, the debtor walks out of bankruptcy court with a mostly debt-free clean slate.

Chapter 7 bankruptcies stay on your credit report for 10 years.

What Is A Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

You can think of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy as a softer form of bankruptcy. It doesn’t get rid of all of your debt, but it does allow you to restructure your debt and hang onto your property. This procedure may allow you to spread your payments over a longer period of time or only pay back part of your loan.

Chapter 13 bankruptcies leave your credit report after 7 years.

Refinancing After Chapter 7 Vs. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Here’s an overview of Chapter 7 versus Chapter 13 bankruptcies as they relate to refinancing:

Can You Refinance During A Chapter 7 Or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

No. No lender will make a loan to a debtor who is in the process of declaring bankruptcy, and even if you found one that would, it would be highly unusual for a bankruptcy court to allow it. However, mortgage companies can allow a refinance after a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 waiting period.

You can’t refinance until your bankruptcy waiting period is over. Both types of bankruptcy have a specific time frame during which you cannot get a mortgage loan or refinance.

Waiting Periods For Chapter 7 Bankruptcies

Government-backed loans like Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans require borrowers to wait at least 2 years after the discharge or dismissal date before they can refinance their loan.

Government-sponsored mortgage financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac dictate their minimum requirements for lenders offering conventional refinance loans to homeowners after bankruptcy. They require lenders to wait 4 years after a debtor’s discharge or dismissal date for a conventional loan. There is, however, an extenuating circumstances exception for those whose circumstances are well-documented and resolved. Rocket Mortgage^® always requires a 4-year waiting period after discharge or dismissal Remember not to confuse your discharge or dismissal date with the date you filed for bankruptcy.

The waiting period for those requiring a jumbo loan for their refinance is 7 years.

Waiting Periods For Chapter 13 Bankruptcies

You can qualify for a refinance as little as a day after the discharge or dismissal date of your Chapter 13 bankruptcy if you have a government-backed loan. The waiting period is 2 years after discharge if you have a conventional loan, but the bankruptcy must have been filed more than 4 years from the time your credit is pulled. Alternatively, it can be dismissed more than 4 years ago. The waiting period for jumbo loans is still 7 years.

Requirements For Conventional Loans May Vary

As we’ve noted above, conventional refinance loans are made by private lenders without government backing – and those lenders are free to set their own, stricter requirements for approving refinance loans.

You may also need additional documentation that will vary depending on the loan program you’re applying for. Finally, you’ll need to meet the individual standards of the lender you’re working with to qualify for a refinance.

These standards apply to anyone with a bankruptcy with a single major exception, though. In some cases, if you’ve had more than one bankruptcy of any type over the last 7 years, you must wait 5 years before you can refinance your loan.

Are you wondering if you should refinance? Refinancing after a bankruptcy can actually have a number of advantages. Let’s take a look at some of them now.

More Manageable Payments

You can lower your monthly payment when you refinance to a longer loan term or a lower mortgage rate. This can help save you from falling into financial trouble. To see how much you could save by refinancing, use our refinance calculator. Assume you’ll be charged a higher interest rate if the bankruptcy is still on your credit report.

Cash To Cover Debts

Most types of bankruptcy (even Chapter 7) allow you to keep some form of equity in your home. Do you qualify for a cash-out refinance? If you apply for a cash-out refinance after a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you can take on a higher principal balance and get the difference in cash from your lender. You can put this cash toward debt payments and help improve your credit faster.

Lower Interest Rates

Are interest rates lower now than when you initially got your loan? This may help you save thousands of dollars over the course of your loan. However, keep in mind that you may not have access to the best interest rates unless your previous bankruptcy expired from your credit profile.

Think that now might be the right time for you to refinance? Here are a few things to think about before you apply.

Meet The Minimum Credit Score Requirements

Bankruptcies hurt your credit score. No matter which type of loan you choose, you’ll need to meet minimum credit score standards before you qualify to refinance. With a massive hit on your credit rating, you may need to focus on raising your score prior to your refinance. To avoid disappointment, know your credit score and your loan’s minimum credit requirements before you apply.

Save For Closing Costs

You’ll still need to pay closing costs with most refinances. Chances are you won’t have much in savings after a bankruptcy. These costs can equal 2% – 6% of your total loan value. You may be able to roll your closing costs into the principal of your loanor have your lender pay the closing costs and take a higher rate.

Document Your Finances Carefully

Lenders need to know that you have your finances under control before you can refinance, no matter which type of bankruptcy you have on your record. You can improve your chances of a successful refinance by keeping proof of your income and gathering documentation that proves you’re paying your bills on time.

There are plenty of apps and desktop software that can help you keep impeccable records and keep your financial facts at the ready to answer any questions a lender may have.

You may also want to get a letter from your employer that attests to your excellent performance and your long-term potential with the company. This tells lenders that you’re unlikely to lose your job and fall into financial trouble. Be upfront and honest with lenders, and stay positive.

It’s also important to review your credit reports regularly. Credit reporting bureaus must remove your bankruptcy from your credit report after 7 – 10 years, depending on which type you filed. However, credit reporting errors are common, and your old bankruptcy might still appear on your report. Make note of the date that your bankruptcy should no longer appear on your credit report, and make sure to follow up.

Now that you know how bankruptcy affects your chances of a refinance approval, let’s look at the process and what you can do to improve your chances for approval.

Step 1: Choose A Lender And Apply

The first step in any refinance is to apply with a lender of your choice. Feel free to shop around to see which lenders can offer you the best deal.

If you qualify for a home loan through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), you may have a better chance of successfully refinancing. These government-insured mortgages can – in some cases – be approved for borrowers with credit scores as low as 500, depending on your loan-to-value ratio (LTV). Rocket Mortgage^® requires a minimum credit score of 580 to refinance with these types of loans. These applications may also be handled through manual underwriting procedures that give borrowers a chance to tell their story to a human being instead of an algorithm.

Rocket Mortgage proudly offers both FHA loans and VA loans. We're not offering USDA loans at this time.

Once you choose a lender, you can speed up the refinancing process by having all of your documentation in order before you apply for your new loan. Some documents you should have handy include your:

• Two most recent W-2s
• Two most recent pay stubs
• Two most recent bank statements

Are you self-employed? Your lender will have additional mortgage refinance requirements.

Step 2: Lock In Your Rate

You’ll usually get the option to lock in your interest rate once you complete your mortgage application. Mortgage rates change on a daily basis, and when you lock in your rate, you’re securing today’s interest rate until your refinance closes.

Locking your rate protects you against increases in interest rates that happen before you close. It also helps you plan your finances after your loan closes by keeping your premiums predictable.

Most lenders allow you to lock your interest rate for 30 – 60 days. You’ll usually have to pay an additional fee if you want to keep your rate locked for longer than 60 days.

Step 3: Complete Underwriting And Appraisals

Your lender underwrites your loan after you submit all your documentation and paperwork. During the underwriting stage, your lender makes sure that you meet the minimum standards for a refinance and verifies your income.

Most underwriting processes take 1 – 2 weeks, but any third parties involved with your loan can slow things down.

Your lender will also order a home appraisal during the underwriting stage. Just like your original home appraisal, a refinance appraisal gives you and your lender a rough idea of how much your home is worth.

Lenders require appraisals for refinances because they need to know that your home value hasn’t decreased since you bought your home.

Step 4: Close On The Loan

Once underwriting finishes and your appraiser finalizes your estimate, your lender will schedule a closing meeting. At closing, you’ll have the opportunity to ask any last-minute questions about your refinance, sign your new loan agreement and finish your refinance.

Your lender will send you a document called a Closing Disclosure before your closing meeting. Your Closing Disclosure includes all the terms of your new loan and a tally of how much you’ll pay in closing costs. Once you get your Closing Disclosure, remember to tell your lender that you’ve received it. Your lender cannot schedule your closing until you acknowledge this document.

It can be frustrating to know that even though you’ve put your financial difficulties behind you, the reality is that lenders will still judge you for your past missteps. With time and effort, though, you’ll be able to refinance your home and take advantage of your financial improvements.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward your financial future, we’re ready to help. Apply online today. Our online application process is always open. You can also give us a call at (833) 326-6018.