| One of the most attractive features of an FHA | | | | bankruptcy under chapter 7 an FHA loan may be |
| mortgage loan is that you can qualify with even | | | | available if the discharge date is 2 years old (Not the |
| severely damaged credit. This means if you have a | | | | filing date). You must also give a complete and detailed |
| foreclosure or bankruptcy (chapter 7 or 13) on your | | | | explanation regarding the bankruptcy as well as prove |
| credit record, qualifying for the home of your dreams | | | | employment and financial responsibility (paying debts |
| may still be very well within reach. | | | | on time over the last 2 years) |
| This is because FHA does not have a specific lower | | | | Chapter 13 bankruptcy - If you have actively paying on |
| limit regarding FICO scores. FHA lenders who process | | | | a chapter 13 bankruptcy for at least 1 year, you may |
| and approve your FHA loan assume no risk because | | | | very well be considered for an FHA loan. What you'll |
| the Federal government insures all loans in the event | | | | need in this case is the court trustee's written approval |
| that you default. | | | | move forward with the loan. Of course you'll still need |
| Foreclosure - If you have previously defaulted on a | | | | to prove income, employment and creditworthiness as |
| primary residence, an FHA insured mortgage will be | | | | well as complete and detailed explanation regarding |
| available as long as the foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of | | | | the bankruptcy. |
| foreclosure was not within the last 3 years. This rule is | | | | Keep in mind FHA doesn't actually make the loans, |
| somewhat flexible as well. If there were extenuating | | | | they just insure the lenders who make the loans. This |
| circumstances causing the foreclosure that are | | | | means that there may be very minor variances in |
| explainable it is possible to waive the strict 3-year rule. | | | | qualifications but you can generally assume consistent |
| Chapter 7 bankruptcy - If you have filed for | | | | basic program guidelines from lender to lender. |