Bankruptcy Attorney Q & A- (Part 2) How Soon After Bankruptcy Can I Get an FHA Loan and Buy a House? Clients frequently ask about future credit after bankruptcy and especially about if they will ever be able to buy a home. The answer to this question is not always as simple as it should be because it varies by the type of home loan. This blog addresses special mortgages backed directly by the federal government such as Federal Housing Administration first time home buyer and rehabilitation loans. If you do not qualify for one of these loans, you should read our related blog on conventional mortgages and buying a home after bankruptcy. Just paste this link into your browser window: https://www.oregon-attorneys.com/bankruptcy-attorney-q-a-how-soon-after-bankruptcy-can-i-buy-a-house The short answer is that a waiting period of one to three years after filing for bankruptcy is all that is required for Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Administration and US Department of Agriculture Rural Home Loans. But this is just as to the bankruptcy filing. Of course, you still need to take active steps after bankruptcy to rebuild your credit. Check out our blog posts on rebuilding your credit after bankruptcy https://www.oregon-attorneys.com/5-steps-to-rebuilding-your-credit https://www.oregon-attorneys.com/filing-bankruptcy-is-just-the-first-step-in-rebuilding-your-credit And, you have to have sufficient income, possibily a down payment and a good debt to income ratio to buy a house. A Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy will show on your credit report for 10 years and negatively affect your credit. However, loans targeted to special populations and backed by the federal government have rules that allow you to buy a home shortly after discharge. These rules are subject to change so we recommend that you consult a mortgage broker for the most up to date standards for qualifying. Here are the waiting periods for these loans so you can buy a house. ● If you otherwise qualify for an FHA loan, you must wait at least 2 years after a Chapter 7 discharge or 1 year after a Chapter 13 discharge. ● If you otherwise qualify for a VA loan, you must wait at least 2 years after a Chapter 7 discharge or 1 year after a Chapter 13 discharge. ● If you otherwise qualify for a USDA loan, you must wait at least 3 years after a Chapter 7 discharge or 1 year after a Chapter 13 discharge. In addition, if you are in a Chapter 13 plan and you need to refinance, then FHA and VA can also help you. FHA loans used to refinance a home while in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy require up to 2 years of on time payments to the Chapter 13 trustee. You must also meet the other loan standards such as sufficient income and appropriate loan to value ration. But the loan proceeds must allow you to conclude your Chapter 13 plan as of the closing of the loan. We sometimes call this buying out your plan. This can work well if you have the equity. It is also possible to use VA loans to refinance a home while in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. You need up to 2 years of on time payments to the Chapter 13 trustee. You must also meet the other loan standards such as sufficient income and appropriate loan to value ration. But you do not need to buyout your plan. Here is a brief description of these home loans. ● FHA first time home buyer loans allow for a low down payment currently at 3.5% with a credit score at or above 580, or 10% if your credit score is between 500-580. The property needs to pass an inspection. And there is a cap on these loans that varies by county. For example, a home in Lane County can qualify up to $420,000 but in Multnomah County that amount is $598,000. ● FHA rehabilitation loans have similar standards. However, the loan can include cash out to bring the home up to the required inspection standards. The cash out is limited to $35,000 for qualifying improvements such as replacing roofing, enhancing accessibility for a disabled person or making energy conservation improvements. ● VA loans for new home purchase start with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to show your lender that you qualify based on your service history and duty status. This is obtained from the VA. The VA does not always require a down payment but one may be needed depending on the amount of the loan. The property needs to pass an inspection. But unlike the FHA, the VA does not set standards for the loans as to credit or income. Typical lenders do want minimum credit scores in the 600 range. ● USDA rural home loans do not require a down payment. But the home and its location are essential to obtaining this type of mortgage. For example, the house size is usually 2000 square feet or less. In fact, the home buyer must need the home to have decent, safe, and sanitary housing and be unable to obtain a loan from other resources on terms and conditions that can reasonably be expected to be met. Income qualifications are lenient as the loan can include a payment subsidy and are only available to low income borrowers. The USDA doesn't have a fixed credit score requirement, but most lenders require a score of at least 640, and 640 is the minimum credit score you'll need to qualify for automatic approval through the USDA's automated loan underwriting system. Conventional loans require a longer waiting period between bankruptcy discharge and requesting a home loan. These types of loans are not guaranteed by the federal government and can require significantly longer waiting periods. But your state or local government may have other programs that can also help. And a bank involved in the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) will also have loans available for low to moderate income home buyers. Finally, if you were impacted by recent fires and lost your home in such a disaster, the Small Business Administration and FEMA may have loan options to rebuild. Filing bankruptcy is usually just the first step to rebuilding your credit and putting yourself back on track to possible home ownership in the future.