Bad Credit and Arizona Real Estate: Qualifying for a Subprime Mortgage Arizona

An Arizona subprime mortgage allows borrowers with bad credit to purchase real estate in the Grand Canyon State. Knowing the types of mortgages available will help you choose the right mortgage product and save you money.

With great weather, a stable economy, and a real estate market with great deals, it is no wonder that so many people want to move to Arizona. With some parts of the state getting over 300 days of sunshine each year and skiing in the northern part of the state, it is the perfect place people with any climate preference. The relatively low humidity also makes it ideal for people with respiratory problems and mild winters are great for snow birds. If you find yourself dreaming of moving to Arizona, but have bad credit, you will want to start researching Arizona sub prime mortgage  to learn about the different types of mortgages available in the state for borrowers with bad credit or high debt to income ratios. If you cannot qualify for a traditional mortgage due to a low credit score, a subprime mortgage might be a good option.

A subprime mortgage is a loan given to a borrower who is considered to be a higher risk due to a poor credit score. Typically a sub prime borrower has a credit score of less than 640, but this does vary. Since the lender is assuming a higher risk, the interest rate is also generally higher. Critics of subprime lending argue that it charges unfair interest rates and further burdens individuals with low incomes and high amounts of debt. However, for many individuals, a subprime mortgage,Arizona is the only way they can qualify for a home loan. There are several types of subprime mortgages available and each type has different advantages and risks. 

Although subprime mortgages generally charger higher interest rates, for almost 42.5 million Americans, it is the only home loan they can qualify for due to a low credit score. If you find yourself having trouble obtaining a home loan in Arizona based on your credit, do your research on subprime mortgage Arizona to determine the type of loan programs you may be able to qualify for. Knowing the different types of subprime mortgages can help you select the right product for you and your family.

Types of Mortgages Available to Borrowers with Bad Credit

One type of mortgage available to subprime borrowers is what is known as an adjustable rate mortgage or ARM. An ARM starts off at a low interest rate, usually lower than the prime rate around 2-3 percent. After a period of time from 1 to 5 years, the rate then adjusts to a much higher rate anywhere from 10 to 20 percent, depending on market conditions. This will cause your payment to go up rapidly. ARMs got a bad reputation during the housing crisis of the mid 2000s and were accused of being a way for banks to loan money to and take advantage of subprime borrowers. Many people lost their home due to the inability to make the new, higher payments after the rate adjusted. An ARM can be a good option if you are in the process of rebuilding your credit and will be able to refinance to a traditional loan before your rate adjusts. It is also a good option if you are buying a short term home to either fix and flip, or you plan on moving within the low rate period. An ARM is also a good option as long as you budget accordingly so you do not get priced out of your home and wind up unable to pay your mortgage.

A second, less common type of subprime loan is a hard money loan. A hard money loan is offered by a group of investors, rather than a bank. It is a short term loan that is designed primarily for fix and flip houses. Since investors are offering the loan, not a bank, they are more likely to give loans to borrowers with low credit, providing they have a sound real estate investment. Hard money loans are usually short term loans and last for a couple years. A hard money loan is a good investment but not if you are planning on living in the home for any amount of time.

Another program that is available to low credit borrowers is an FHA loan. This type of loan is backed by the federal government and offers low interest rates and low down payment options. Most FHA loans only require a 3.5% down payment which makes it a great option for borrowers without a large amount of liquid cash assets. This is also a great option for someone buying a second home who may not have the down payment they would have if they sold their first home. The loan is insured by the government so the borrower will end up paying what is called primary mortgage insurance or PMI payments. PMI payments can range from anywhere between 80 and a few hundred dollars so it does increase your monthly mortgage payment. You will make these payments until you have paid off 20% of your home loan.

Deciding on the right loan product is essential to making your sub prime borrowing experience positive.

Talk with a mortgage broker to further discuss your loan options. You may also qualify for certain federal programs that offer down payment assistance or cash back at closing. Some of these include the Home in 5 program or the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). Call an Arizona mortgage broker to help get you started on your move to the Grand Canyon State. 

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC
Tel:  (623) 582-4444 | Fax: (888) 279-6917

www.level4funding.com
NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
23335 N 18th Drive Suite 120
Phoenix AZ 85027

Using Adjustable Rate Mortgages and Other Subprime Loans to Your Advantage

Having bad credit can make it almost impossible to get a home loan but there are lenders that offer programs for a bad credit mortgage Arizona. There are different options available to help subprime borrowers that can also be taken advantage of by borrowers with good credit.

Close to 42 million Americans have bad credit, which is approximately one quarter of all individuals with active credit accounts. This is defined as a score of less than 640 and can make it difficult to qualify for a car loan, home loan, credit cards, and even store accounts. For many individuals with bad credit, buying a home seems impossible. However, many mortgage brokers offer bad credit mortgage Arizona programs to help Arizona residents qualify for home loans.

One type of loan that is available for people with bad credit is an adjustable rate mortgage or ARM. An ARM is offered to subprime borrowers who would not qualify for a traditional loan. It offers a low interest rate at first but then resets to a high interest rate after a specified period, usually 1 to 7 years. Once the rate adjusts your mortgage payment will increase due to the higher interest rate. This can be a good option if you only plan on owning the property short term or if you know you will be able to qualify to refinance your loan at the end of your low rate period. Although an ARM is a type of bad credit mortgage Arizona, it can also be beneficial for borrowers with good credit.

A second type of loan 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. You will pay monthly insurance on your loan. In addition to you principle and interest payments, you will also pay a PMI insurance payment. This will increase the amount of your monthly mortgage payments until you pay off 20% of the loan amount. You can also couple FHA loans with different federal programs that offer down payment assistance or cash back at closing like Home in 5. These programs are constantly evolving and changing, so make sure to talk with a mortgage broker about what you may qualify for.

 A third type of bad credit mortgage 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. It should be noted that hard money loans are short term loans only. They cannot be used to purchase a home you plan to live in for any significant amount of time. These are designed primarily for real estate investors.

When Does a Bad Credit Mortgage Make Good Financial Sense?

For some borrowers, a bad credit mortgage Arizona  is the only option they have to purchase a home. However, some of these bad credit loans can benefit traditional borrowers as well. Specifically, an adjustable rate mortgage. An ARM can save you thousands of dollars in interest over the life of your loan and makes sense in certain lending situations. Here are five situations that could benefit from an adjustable rate mortgage:

1.       You plan to sell your home prior to the rate raise. If you only plan on living in your home for a short period of time, an adjustable rate can save you money. If you sell before the rate raises you will never have to pay the higher interest rate.

2.       You have bad credit, but you are working on it. An ARM is a fantastic option to help rebuild your credit score. If you know you will be able to qualify to refinance before the rate adjusts, it is a good way to get into a home and start rebuilding your credit score.

3.       You expect a windfall. You know you will be able to pay the home off early due to an inheritance. Then the ARM can save you interest while you wait to pay off the home.

4.       You expect your income to increase. If the loan resets, you will be able to pay the higher interest payments because you will be earning more money.

5.       You plan to fix up the home and sell it for a profit. If you are not planning a long term investment, an ARM can save you money while you are renovating.

Talk with a mortgage broker to determine if an ARM or other bad credit loan is right for you.

Whether you need to rebuild your credit or are in a situation where you could benefit by taking advantage of a bad credit loan, a mortgage broker can help you determine the right product for you.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC
Tel:  (623) 582-4444 | Fax: (888) 279-6917

www.level4funding.com
NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
23335 N 18th Drive Suite 120
Phoenix AZ 85027