Depending on your circumstances, bankruptcy may be the best choice for resolving your financial difficulties. Bankruptcies under Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 can have serious consequences. They do not, however, eliminate your capacity to get credit for the rest of your life.
For the next seven to ten years, these things will appear on your credit reports. There are, however, a few proactive activities you may take to restore your credit after bankruptcy and qualify for financing before the default is removed from your record.
Even though a chapter 7 bankruptcy may be on your credit records for up to ten years, it has little impact on your credit score before it goes away.
With that in mind, we’ll show you how bankruptcy might influence your credit in other ways and what you can do about it.
How to Challenge a Bankruptcy on a Credit Report
It’s difficult, but not impossible, to dispute a bankruptcy on your credit record. It’s also a pretty efficient approach to speed up the credit-repair procedure.
If you attempt to do it on your own, though, you may find it challenging. Consider speaking with a credit repair business to see whether you have a strong case.
Credit repair firms offer the skills and expertise to assist you in disputing any lousy item on your credit report. You may be able to get the bankruptcy dismissed entirely ahead of time. Charge-offs and collections, which were included in the bankruptcy petition, may also be deleted.
After A Bankruptcy, How Do You Rebuild Your Credit?
Some individuals declare bankruptcy because they have too much credit card debt or are living above their means. On the other hand, others find themselves in serious financial problems due to events beyond their control, such as job loss or medical issues.
Whatever brought you to the brink of bankruptcy, you must devise a strategy to avoid it occurring again in the future. Here are nine plans for reestablishing credit after bankruptcy.
1. Make a Budget
Create a monthly budget and think of methods to keep yourself responsible for adhering to it if you have a habit of overspending. You may give yourself a prize every time you deposit funds into your savings account. You might also arrange weekly updates with a buddy who can assist you in staying motivated.
2. Make on-time monthly payments
Making your monthly loan payments on time should be self-evident. However, you’ll need to establish that you’ve made on-time payments for at least 12 months in a row and that the court has given you permission to take on additional debt.
Because bankruptcy has such a negative impact on your credit, you can anticipate it increased down payment requirements when it comes time to purchase a home. For example, an FHA loan requires typically just a 3.5 percent down payment.
If your credit score is less than 580, you’ll have to put down the whole 10% of the home’s buying price as a down payment. That’s a significant difference. For a conventional loan, there are no formal criteria. However, you should anticipate a more substantial down payment on your future house.
Your credit score significantly influences how much you spend on a house, both in terms of the down payment and the interest rate. That is why, after your bankruptcy has been discharged, you must use those seasoning years to repair your credit. You should also verify your credit score and monitor your credit reports regularly to ensure that everything is recorded correctly.
3. Put money aside for an emergency.
Start saving for an emergency fund if your financial difficulties are due to circumstances beyond your control. This is something that everyone should have. You should aim to keep aside three to six months’ worth of living costs.
Then, if you become sick or have difficulties finding employment, you’ll have some cash on hand until things go back to normal. It may be challenging to create additional money for savings each month, so think of new methods to spend less and make more.
4. Look for the best loan terms possible.
Call around to several dealers to see what financing options are available. Just be mindful about asking for a loan on the property itself. Without your knowledge, some vehicle dealerships approve several credit checks on your credit report from various lenders.
Obtain pre-approvals based on a light credit check as soon as possible. Also, phone around to check whether you qualify for financing at local banks and credit unions. You’ll probably have to make many phone calls to discover a feasible solution, but you can do it.
Purchasing a Home Following a Bankruptcy
Suppose you want to purchase a home after bankruptcy. In that case, you’ll need to wait a certain period depending on the kind of bankruptcy and the financing you desire.
A conventional loan takes typically four years following a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge. FHA or VA financing, on the other hand, requires just two years. This is known as the seasoning stage.
Of course, each lender has its own underwriting rules, so just achieving this condition does not guarantee you a loan. You may be eligible to secure a conventional loan two years after your Chapter 13 bankruptcy is discharged. FHA and VA loans have a one-year grace period.
5. Take out a credit-building loan.
Secured credit cards are comparable to credit builder loans, except they do not demand a security deposit. A credit builder loan is a secured loan for a bit of sum that you pay back over a year or more. Except that you don’t get the loan cash until you’ve spent all of the installments. The credit bureaus are notified of your on-time payments. These loans are only to establish credit.
Obtaining a Credit Card Following Bankruptcy
A credit card is one of the easiest and most effective methods to rebuild credit after bankruptcy. It may seem paradoxical, given your desire to avoid more debt. Positive payment history, on the other hand, is the most crucial factor in your credit score.
Your credit record will most likely show several “bankruptcy accounts.” As a result, you’ll almost certainly need to rebuild this section of your credit report by adding some good credit accounts.
You don’t have to use your credit card to cover all of your costs. Instead, begin by picking one payment to pay using your credit card each month. Then, as soon as possible, pay down the balance. Your credit ratings will gradually improve as you begin to make on-time payments.
If you have a bankruptcy on your credit record, you may be asking how to acquire a credit card.
6. Put money aside for a down payment
Also, put money aside for a down payment to assist pay off the loan. Even if you meet all of the requirements for the loan, you’ll almost certainly be charged a hefty interest rate. As a result, making a substantial down payment reduces your financial load. It helps you avoid falling into another financial debt trap.
It’s also beneficial to recognize that you don’t need a brand-new vehicle. Without the depreciation, a good used automobile may be just as functional as when you drive it off the lot.
7. Obtain a Protected Credit Card
Secured credit cards do not need strong credit, so you may apply for one even if you have just filed for bankruptcy. On the other hand, a secure credit card requires you to put down a refundable security deposit equivalent to your limit of credit.
When you charge anything to your protected card, you must still pay for it with cash from your wallet. The deposit is essentially insurance in case you stop paying your credit card bills.
If you don’t pay off your debt on time, you’ll be charged interest, just like any other credit card. However, if you don’t qualify for an unsecured card or the interest rates are too high, this might be an excellent way to start rebuilding your credit after bankruptcy.
Make sure the credit card provider discloses monthly payments to the three leading credit agencies before picking a secured credit card. Limit the number of applications you make since each new credit inquiry lowers your credit score by around five points.
8. Become a Licensed User
Adding yourself as an authorized user on someone else’s credit card account will quickly increase your credit score. If the primary account holder has good credit, the authorized user’s credit report will reflect the same.
The credit card appears on your credit record from the time a family member first opened it, not from when you were added to the account. As a result, adding an authorized user to your credit report might add years of good credit history.
Purchasing a Vehicle After Bankruptcy
You’ll probably want to purchase a vehicle at some time after your bankruptcy. You absolutely can, and you may even be able to go into a dealership with some negotiating leverage.
Use your credit card sensibly for at least six months to prepare for this day. This simple act improves your credit score and demonstrates to creditors that you can be trusted to make on-time payments.
9. Maintain a credit utilization rate of 30% or below.
Keep your credit card balances at 30% or less of your maximum credit limit as another way to improve your credit. At this stage, getting a credit card or applying for new loans should be exclusively to restore credit. Credit cards should not be used for significant expenditures or personal loans.
Final Thoughts
Creditors want to see that you’re trying to pay your debts on time now. They want to know that you’re doing a better job controlling your debt. After your bankruptcy, making sensible decisions every day might help you progressively repair your credit and reputation as a reliable borrower.
It takes time, but it also requires work to rebuild credit after bankruptcy.
You can construct a detailed action plan to improve your credit habits and raise your credit score with just a little planning. When you need money, you’ll be prepared with a great application that demonstrates your creditworthiness.