How Long After Bankruptcy Can You Get an FHA Loan?

You can apply for an FHA loan just two years after filing for bankruptcy. Learn more about this and other bankruptcy FAQs from Rocket Mortgage.

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Introduction

FHA loans are a popular choice for first-time homebuyers, but they’re not the only mortgage available to people with limited credit histories. If you’ve filed for bankruptcy, you may still be able to get an FHA loan if you meet certain criteria. In this article, we’ll discuss how long after bankruptcy you can get an FHA loan and what you’ll need to do to qualify.

What is an FHA loan?

An FHA loan is a mortgage loan that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The FHA is a government agency that provides insurance for lenders in the event that borrowers default on their loans. This insurance protects lenders from losses and allows them to offer loans with lower down payment requirements and more flexible credit criteria.

How long after bankruptcy can you get an FHA loan?

If you have filed for bankruptcy, you may be wondering how soon you can apply for a loan. The answer depends on the type of bankruptcy you have filed, as well as the type of loan you are interested in.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy: You will need to wait at least two years from the date of your discharge before you will be eligible for an FHA loan.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy: You may be eligible for an FHA loan as soon as you have received your discharge if you have made all of your payments on time for at least one year. You will need to provide documentation to your lender to show that you are current on all of your payments.

Once you have met the waiting period requirements, you will need to demonstrate that you have re-established good credit. The best way to do this is by showing that you have been paying all of your bills on time for at least 12 months. You will also need to provide documentation of your income and assets, as well as any debts that you still owe.

What are the requirements for an FHA loan?

In order to qualify for an FHA loan, you must have a valid Social Security number, be a legal resident of the United States and be a resident of the state in which you plan to purchase a home. You also must be able to show proof of employment and have a steady income. In addition, you must have a good credit history and have no bankruptcies or foreclosures in the past three years.

How to apply for an FHA loan

If you have gone through a bankruptcy, you might be wondering how soon you can apply for a loan again. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has guidelines that dictate when you can apply for a new loan. FHA loans are popular because they have relatively flexible guidelines for borrowers.

The FHA allows borrowers to apply for a new loan two years after the discharge of a bankruptcy. However, the borrower must demonstrate that they have re-established their credit and have managed their finances responsibly in the intervening period.

If you are looking to apply for an FHA loan, you will need to gather documentation in order to prove to the lender that you are eligible. This documentation includes your credit history, employment history, and bank statements.

If you can show that you have made a concerted effort to improve your financial situation since your bankruptcy, you may be able to qualify for an FHA loan. However, if your financial situation has not changed or improved, it is unlikely that you will be approved for a loan.

Conclusion

While the FHA loan program guidelines differ from conventional loan program guidelines, both types of loans have the common goal of helping borrowers purchase a primary residence. If you have gone through a bankruptcy, you may still be eligible for an FHA loan depending on how much time has elapsed and whether you have taken steps to rehabilitation your credit. Speak with a loan officer to learn more about your options.