There are a variety of factors that can lead to a lower credit score. Job loss, divorce, a sudden change in income, or even an old credit card you forgot about can cause your credit score to suffer. Recent statistics released from FICO Inc. show that 25% of the 170 million Americans with active credit

If you are one of the 42.5 million Americans with a low credit score, you probably assume that home ownership is beyond your reach. However, with new bad credit mortgage Arizona programs as well as federal programs, borrowers can qualify with low FICO scores.

As with any mortgage it is important to analyze the risks and benefits of a low credit mortgage. Once you have decided to stop letting your FICO score hold you back, it is important to know your options. Most likely you will not qualify for a bad credit mortgage through a bank, so it is important to find a reputable mortgage broker. A broker has more flexibility in terms of types of loans that can be offered so you are more likely to qualify via a broker than a bank.

Once you have decided to seek a home loan, there are several different programs and types of loans available to you. You will need to do your research and choose a loan based on your goals (both short term and long term), and unique credit and money situation.

One type of loan that is available for people with bad credit is a type of FHA loan. An FHA loan is backed by the government and will allow you to borrow about 96.5% of the value of the home you are purchasing. This means that you won’t have to come up with a large chunk for a down payment. In addition, the government backing means that you will be more likely to qualify, even with less than stellar credit. One important note is that you will pay monthly insurance on your loan. In additional to you principle and interest payments, you will also pay a PMI insurance payment. This is basically extra money you pay to help insure against default. PMI payments can range from $80 to over $200 each month, depending on the amount of the loan.

Another type of bad credit mortgage in Arizona that is available is a hard money loan. A hard money loan is secured through a mortgage broker but is backed by investors instead of a bank. This is especially beneficial for people looking to do a fix and flip or short term purchase. Depending on the merit of the property you are purchasing as well as potential for income, investors will often invest capital, even if your credit score is lower than what is ideal.

A third type of home loan that may be available as a bad credit mortgage in Arizona is a subprime loan. A subprime loan refers to a loan given to a borrower that represents a greater financial risk due to his/her credit score. A subprime loan is funded by a bank but does not have to meet the same underwriting guidelines as a prime loan. Subprime loans allow access to groups that would normally not have access to the credit market like people with low FICO scores. Subprime loans often have higher interest rates than conventional loans to compensate for their higher credit risk.

Once you have decided to stop letting your credit score define your home ownership goals, find a broker to work with. Finding a mortgage broker that specializes in bad credit mortgage Arizona will ensure that you are receiving all the options to make owning a home a reality. A mortgage broker will help you understand the ins and outs of each type of loan in more depth and help you find the best loan for your financial situation. A broker will also be able to give you the most up to date information about new state and federal programs that will help put home ownership within your reach. Don’t let your FICO score stand in the way of owning a home. Reach out to a licensed mortgage broker today.

Level 4 Funding LLC

23335 N 18^th Drive Suite 120

Phoenix AZ 85027

623-582-4444