| Earlier, having bad credit was the greatest detriment to | | | | the borrowers, as it makes repayment easier. Bad |
| getting a mortgage approved. However, today there | | | | credit borrowers are also obliged to pay mortgage |
| are a vast number of companies who specialize in | | | | insurance- only that the rates of interest may be |
| providing mortgages to people with bad credit. Even a | | | | marginally higher. |
| large number of mainstream companies (read: highly | | | | Yet today, with new laws being passed, the distinction |
| reputable companies) are joining the fray. Mortgages | | | | between people with good and bad credit is blurring. |
| to people with a bad credit history are today | | | | Mortgage companies are charging lower rates of |
| considered to be big business. | | | | interest than before. With the advent of the new |
| Bad credit mortgage companies, also called sub-prime | | | | economic term 'non-status', which includes those |
| mortgage companies, rely on FICO scores to | | | | self-employed people who cannot prove their |
| determine the creditworthiness of a person. These | | | | accountability, several people have been subtracted |
| scores are available with agencies such as Equifax, | | | | from the bad credit category. The interest rates for |
| Experian and Trans Union Corporation. A FICO credit | | | | non-status people are almost the same as that of |
| score of less than 620 is generally considered bad | | | | people with good credit. |
| credit. Though mortgage companies today do not shirk | | | | Companies specializing in bad credit mortgages are |
| from giving loans to bad credit people, they do not | | | | extensively advertising on channels such as the |
| typically provide any mortgages to people below FICO | | | | internet. They invite people to get pre-qualified and fill |
| scores of 500. | | | | online application forms. Such companies are doing a |
| The bad news is that many mortgage companies do | | | | great business in the market of bad credit mortgages. |
| not hesitate in taking advantage of the precarious | | | | However, people with bad credit must be wary of |
| situation their bad credit history clients are in. This is | | | | companies that are looking to fleece them. Some |
| shown by the way they charge higher rates of | | | | unscrupulous companies may create a psychological |
| interest than people with good credit. This means more | | | | fear in the minds of their clients that they would not |
| business in the bad credit mortgage market. In addition, | | | | get loans elsewhere, so they can ensnare them for |
| people with bad credit need to make a down payment | | | | higher rates of interest. It is always advisable to shop |
| (typically at least 20%) to prove their earnestness to | | | | around to hunt for the best bad credit mortgage |
| the purpose of taking the mortgage. This is good to | | | | company in the market. |