PART 2 How to Get a Mortgage After Bankruptcy or Consumer Proposal

Question How hard is it to obtain a mortgage after filing for bankruptcy?

Answer If you’re one of the more than 100,000 Canadians who file for bankruptcy every year, you know how hard it can be to access any sort of loan, let alone qualify for a mortgage. But filing for bankruptcy or a consumer proposal isn’t a financial life sentence. There are ways to get the mortgage you need to buy the home you want.

You will need to be patient. Your bankruptcy or consumer proposal will stay on your credit history for at least six years, but by following a few key steps you can re-establish your credit worthiness in the eyes of mortgage lenders.

Here Are a Few Tips

Build your down payment

Your credit rating may be dismal, but a large down payment may be enough to convince a lender you’re worth the investment. Now that some of your debt-load (and interest payments) have likely been lifted, use the extra income to save your cash and improve your financial position. The bigger the down payment the better in this case.

Improve your credit score

A mortgage is a big investment for a lender, but there are smaller steps you can take to improve your credit score ahead of time. Take out an RRSP loan, apply for a secured (pre-paid) credit card, or apply for a car loan. Your credit rating plays a huge role in a lender’s decision to give you a mortgage, so focus on establishing a good track record post-bankruptcy.

Pay on time, all the time

Never miss a payment again. After filing for bankruptcy or a consumer proposal, your ability to manage credit will be placed under a microscope. The best way to recover is to be the perfect borrower. Make your minimum payments on all bills and keep outstanding balances on cards and lines of credit to a minimum. Not doing so will be a huge red flag for lenders.

Wait it out (but not that long)

You may not have to wait for your bankruptcy to disappear from your record to secure a mortgage. Most prime lenders (the ones with access to those low interest rates) will consider your mortgage application two years after your bankruptcy discharge. At this time, you’ll also need to prove you’ve re-established credit and kept yourself in good standing.

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