How to Refinance Your Mortgage With Bad Credit | Credible (2024)

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A low credit score doesn’t mean you can’t refinance your mortgage. In fact, there are many refinancing options to consider if you have bad credit.

If you have bad credit and are looking to refinance your mortgage, here’s what you should know:

• What credit score do I need to refinance?
• How to refinance a mortgage with bad credit
• Requirements to refinance your mortgage with bad credit
• Pros and cons of bad credit mortgage refinance programs
• Should you refinance with bad credit?

What credit score do I need to refinance?

Your credit score should be at least 620 for a conventional mortgage refinance. Government-backed loans may only require a 580 FICO score or less, but emphasize your payment history and loan-to-value (LTV) ratio to determine your creditworthiness.

In addition to the minimum credit score, your mortgage lender will also look at your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, credit history, and cash reserves to see if you qualify.

How to refinance a mortgage with bad credit

If you have poor credit and aren’t sure where to start, follow these steps to get started:

1. Improve your credit score
2. Consider a co-borrower
3. Compare bad credit mortgage refinance programs
4. Check with your current lender
5. Compare rates from multiple lenders

1. Improve your credit score

After checking your credit and knowing what your current credit score is, it’s a good idea to see how you can improve it before applying for your refinance.

To improve your credit quickly, here are a few things you can try:

• Ask for a credit line increase on a current credit card
• Become an authorized user on someone else’s account or credit card
• Pay off your debt as much as possible
• Don’t close old accounts (like credit cards)

Learn More: How to Improve Your Credit Score ↑ in 5 Steps

2. Consider a co-borrower

If you have a spouse, partner, or trusted friend with good credit, consider asking them to apply for the loan with you. With their name on the application, lenders will look at both credit profiles and incomes, giving you a better shot at approval if your co-borrower is more creditworthy.

Just make sure the co-borrower understands their obligations. For example, if you’re unable to make payments on the loan, they’d have to repay it.

3. Compare bad credit mortgage refinance programs

Next, you should research bad credit refinance programs to see which loans you might be eligible for. Having a good idea of what loan product you’ll be using can help you when shopping around for lenders.

4. Check with your current lender

Get a refinancing quote from your current lender. If you’ve paid your loan on time consistently and have a good history with them, they might be willing to refinance your loan without a credit check — or at least look past that score and consider other factors when evaluating your application.

A current and solid relationship with a lender can go a long way, so it never hurts to ask.

5. Compare rates from multiple lenders

Comparing rates from multiple lenders is one of the best ways to find the best loan and interest rate for you — whether you have good or bad credit. Credible Operations, Inc. lets you shop for prequalified refinancing rates from multiple lenders at once by filling out just one form.

Keep Reading: How to Refinance Your Mortgage in 4 Easy Steps

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Requirements to refinance your mortgage with bad credit

Pros and cons of bad credit mortgage refinance programs

Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of these programs can help you find your best refinance option.

FHA rate and term refinance

A Federal Housing Administration (FHA) rate and term refinance lets you replace your current mortgage with an FHA-insured mortgage. This loan program has flexible credit score and home equity minimums but you may have to pay mortgage insurance for the life of your loan.

Rate and term refinancing is intended to help borrowers change their interest rate, loan term, or both. This often results in a smaller monthly payment and potentially a lower rate.

Pros

• Lower credit score requirements: Most FHA loans require a minimum credit score of 580 to qualify for a refinance.
• Non-FHA loans qualify: You can use this program to refinance non-FHA loans, such as a conventional mortgage.
• Lenient LTV ratio: It’s possible to refinance up to 97.5% of your home appraisal value.

Cons

• Requires mortgage insurance: You’ll pay an upfront mortgage insurance premium at closing. An annual mortgage insurance premium also applies. You’ll pay annual premiums for either 11 years or the life of the loan, depending on your LTV ratio.
• No cash-out allowed: This loan doesn’t let you tap your available home equity. Your new loan pays off your current mortgage balance.
• Requires new appraisal: As this program allows for non-FHA loans, the underwriting process requires a home appraisal and a hard credit check.

Learn: How to Get the Best Mortgage Rates

FHA cash-out refinance

An FHA cash-out refinance lets you borrow from your home equity and is available to homeowners that have occupied the property for at least 12 months. As with all cash-out refinances, your new loan will have a higher balance, which could mean a higher monthly payment.

Pros

• Low credit score requirements: Your lender may only require a 500 credit score to qualify, but aim to have as high of a credit score as possible.
• Can refinance non-FHA loans: It’s possible to refinance FHA and non-FHA loans.
• Flexible use of funds: You’ll receive your equity as a lump sum and can use the cash for any purpose, including home improvements and debt consolidation.

Cons

• Requires mortgage insurance: All FHA loans collect upfront and annual mortgage insurance premiums. A conventional mortgage refinance doesn’t charge private mortgage insurance.
• Requires new appraisal: You’ll need to pay for a new home appraisal to accurately determine your available equity.
• Maximum 80% LTV ratio: It’s only possible to refinance up to 80% of your home value. This borrowing limit is similar to conventional loans.

Find Out: When to Refinance a Mortgage: Is Now The Best Time?

FHA streamline refinance

The FHA’s streamline program makes the refinancing process for existing FHA borrowers relatively easy. In many cases, it requires no appraisal, no credit check, and no income verification, and documentation requirements are reduced.

Part of your eligibility will be based on your payment history. You must be current on your mortgage to qualify for a streamline refinance. You can apply for a streamline refinance after making six monthly mortgage payments on your existing FHA loan.

Pros

• Credit check might not be required: Lenders may not require a credit check unless you’re adding or removing a co-borrower.
• No home appraisal: You most likely won’t need another appraisal as you’re refinancing an FHA-insured mortgage and not cashing out any of your home equity.
• Can extend repayment period: Your new repayment period period can be up to 30 years. If you can afford the higher monthly payment, you can stick with your current term.

Cons

• Requires mortgage insurance: Upfront and annual mortgage insurance premiums apply. If your original mortgage is less than three years old, you may qualify for an upfront mortgage insurance premium refund.
• Must already have an FHA loan: This loan program is only available to existing FHA-insured home loans.
• No cash-out option: You may be able to withdraw up to $500 of your home equity but this loan only replaces your current rate and term.

VA rate and term refinance (IRRRL)

The Department of Veterans Affairs also offers a rate and term refinance program called the VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan, also known as a VA IRRRL. It’s only available to eligible military members, veterans, and their spouses.

The underwriting process for a VA streamline refinance is generally quick as there’s no credit review, income verification, or home appraisal. This is a no cash-out refinance program built to help lower your interest rate or monthly payment.

Pros

• No credit or income check: You may not need a minimum credit score or have to verify your income, but lender requirements vary. This program doesn’t require a new Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) either.
• No appraisal: VA IRRRLs don’t require a home appraisal since you’re not taking cash out.
• No mortgage insurance: Unlike other government-backed loans that may require mortgage insurance, VA IRRRLs don’t have a mortgage insurance requirement.

Cons

• Only available to military: You cannot refinance into a VA IRRRL if you’re not a member of the military or a veteran.
• You must already have a VA loan: This program is only available if you already have a VA-insured home loan and have made at least 12 monthly payments.
• Requires a funding fee: Your closing costs include a one-time VA funding fee. It’s possible to roll your closing costs into your loan but this can result in a higher monthly payment.

Check Out: Refinance Closing Costs: How to Lower and Avoid Fees

VA cash-out refinance

Cash-out refinances are available for existing VA loans. Non-VA loans are also eligible for this program. If you’re refinancing a non-VA loan, you’ll still need to be an eligible military member or veteran and have to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility to qualify.

Unlike a VA streamline refinance, your lender may review your credit report and income history. A home appraisal is also necessary.

Pros

• Non-VA loans are eligible: This program lets you refinance a non-VA loan as long as you meet VA and lender requirements. For example, you must have military experience to qualify.
• No mortgage insurance: You won’t pay mortgage insurance even if your LTV ratio exceeds 80%.
• Borrow up to 100% of home equity: You can borrow up to 100% of your home’s appraisal value and the Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae conforming loan limits for your area. Most lenders have a maximum 80% LTV ratio for cash-out refinances.

Cons

• Only available to eligible military members and veterans: You must satisfy the active duty, National Guard, or Reserve service requirements to be eligible.
• Requires a funding fee: You’ll pay a one-time funding fee at closing. This fee is a fixed percentage of your total loan amount.
• Requires an appraisal and credit check: The underwriting standards are stricter than a VA IRRRL loan. Your lender will check your credit score, income history, and require a home appraisal.

Learn More: VA Cash-Out Refinance

USDA streamline assist program

The USDA streamline assist program can help reduce the monthly payment on existing USDA direct and guaranteed home loans. You may not need to undergo a credit review, appraisal, or satisfy debt ratios.

Pros

• No new appraisal required: A new home appraisal isn’t required unless you’re a USDA direct borrower receiving a subsidy.
• No credit review: You won’t need to undergo another credit check but you must be current on your last 12 monthly payments.
• Loan term of up to 30 years: Your new loan term can be up to 30 years, making it easier to get a lower monthly payment.

Cons

• Existing USDA loans only: Your current mortgage must be a USDA direct or guaranteed loan. It must also be current with the last 12 monthly payments made on-time.
• Must reduce your monthly payment: Your new monthly payment must be at least $50 lower than your existing payment. As a result, you cannot cash out your equity.
• Guarantee fee: You’ll pay an upfront guarantee fee at closing and an annual guarantee fee for the life of your loan. This expense is similar to mortgage insurance.

Alternative or non-prime lending

If you don’t qualify for any of the above programs, seeking out an alternative or non-prime lender could be your best bet.

These lenders don’t use the same standards as FHA, VA, and other government-insured programs, so they typically have more lenient requirements.

Pros

• Lenient credit requirements: These lenders may allow credit scores as low as 500. They may also accept recent negative credit events like bankruptcy, charge-offs, and collections that are still on your credit report.
• Low down payment: You may only need to make a 10% down payment to secure financing.

Cons

• Higher borrowing costs: These loans usually come with higher interest rates and fees than a traditional mortgage refinance. Your repayment period may also be shorter.
• Variable lender requirements: You may need to spend more time comparing lenders as the borrower requirements have fewer standards than traditional programs.

Find a cosigner

Adding a cosigner with good or excellent credit can make it easier to qualify for the best mortgage rate. A cosigner is legally responsible for making the monthly payments if you stop.

Pros

• Easier to qualify: A cosigner with good credit can improve your debt ratios and satisfy the credit requirements.
• Doesn’t have to live in your home: Your cosigner can be a friend or relative that doesn’t live with you. Your lender may have this person apply as a non-occupant co-borrower, which is a similar role.

Cons

• Needs good credit: The cosigner will need a better credit history and a steady income to reap the benefits. You’ll also still need a qualifying credit score to be eligible for financing no matter how high your consigner’s score is.
• Can harm relationships: Your cosigner is responsible for making the mortgage payments if you stop. As a result, you’re putting your relationship with this person at risk.

Should you refinance with bad credit?

While refinancing with bad credit may not be the easiest task in the world, replacing your existing mortgage can offer several financial benefits and provide peace of mind.

Here are some of the times to consider refinancing:

• You can reduce your monthly payment. A more affordable monthly payment gives you more cash for other expenses. You can accomplish this by qualifying for a lower interest rate or by extending your repayment term.
• You want a longer repayment term. Extending your repayment term gives you more time to repay your loan so you can focus on other priorities. However, your lifetime loan costs will likely be higher.
• You’re on-time with your monthly payments. Streamline mortgage programs that have lenient credit score requirements typically require six to 12 months of on-time payments instead. You may consider applying when you have a positive payment history.
• You want to access home equity. You might consider using your home equity to consolidate high-interest debt or pay for a renovation. This can be an excellent decision when the interest savings exceed the cost of refinancing.

In some cases, you should avoid refinancing your mortgage if:

• You cannot get a lower monthly payment. Keeping your current mortgage might be the better option if the monthly payment on your new loan is higher. In fact, several programs won’t let you refinance unless you can decrease your housing costs by a certain amount.
• Your closing costs are too high. You’ll pay closing costs on your new loan. These can cost thousands of dollars and offset your potential refinancing benefits. Even if you roll them into your loan, you may end up paying more in interest over time.
• You need to pay mortgage insurance. Government-backed home loans are more likely to require ongoing mortgage insurance premiums, even if you have at least 20% equity. Usually you cannot waive this expense.
• You don’t have a qualifying credit score. Depending on your lender’s requirements, you may need to wait until factors like your credit score, DTI ratio, and income history improve.

Aly J. Yale contributed to the reporting for this article.

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