If you have bad credit and are looking to get a home loan, odds are, you are going to be applying with a subprime lender. Subprime lenders specialize in financing for people with poor credit history or “less than perfect credit”.
Getting a subprime mortgage loan can be good if you can get a reasonable interest rate and terms and then refinance as soon as the pre-payment penalty period is over. However, because borrowers usually have fewer mortgage options because of their bad credit, they can unknowingly get pushed into a loan that is predatory or unjustifiably more expensive than what they should be able to qualify for.
Here are some things to watch out for when dealing with a sub-prime mortgage lender:
1. Get the closing costs and all fees in writing at least 24 hours before closing – Many subprime lenders, because they know you have fewer other options, will charge outlandish fees at closing, knowing that the borrower will most likely just pay them.
2. Beware of the lender encouraging you to borrow more than you can realistically afford – This usually ends in foreclosure, which is what you want to avoid.
3. Ask about pre-payment penalties – Almost all subprime mortgage loans come with prepayment penalties, make sure you know exactly what they are in advance. Once the papers are signed its too late. It can make it so that you have to wait longer than you want to, to refinance.
4. Know what interest rate you are getting, and get it in writing first – This is one way where subprime lenders are known for gouging borrowers. Find out what comparable interest rates are for other subprime lenders and make sure that your interest rate is competitive or comparable.
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