Foreclosure happens when you default on your mortgage and your lender takes ownership of the home.
A foreclosure stays on your credit reports for seven years from the date of the first missed payment, bringing down your credit scores. After that period of time, the foreclosure mark should automatically fall off your reports. But you can start working to restore your credit scores right away.
How a foreclosure affects your credit
A foreclosure's impact on your credit will depend on your credit standing before the negative mark hit. The higher your score, the greater the likely impact.
In general, though, you can expect a foreclosure to drop your score by 100 or more points, according to Equifax, one of the major credit reporting bureaus.
If your credit score declines as a result of foreclosure, not having good credit can be problematic because it may impact other areas of life. In some states, for example, potential employers may ask to access your credit report as part of a job application. You may also pay higher interest rates when borrowing money, not qualify for certain credit cards and pay a premium for homeowners insurance and auto insurance.
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What if a foreclosure doesn’t fall off after seven years?
The credit reporting process is imperfect. That can occasionally result in a foreclosure or other derogatory mark not falling off automatically after seven years.
In that case, you can dispute the credit report error.
You can rebuild much sooner
Don't let the seven-year timeline stop you from acting — you can begin working to rehabilitate your credit score right away. Help offset the negative mark by stacking up positive data on your credit reports:
Pay all bills on time. Payment history is the biggest factor affecting credit scores. You want to build up a long track record of on-time payments so you look good to potential lenders in the future.
Use no more than 30% of your credit limits. The second-biggest factor in scores is how much of your credit limits you use, which is called credit utilization. The lower your credit utilization, the better for your score.
If needed, look into ways to rebuild credit such as getting a secured credit card or a credit-builder loan.
Can you get a mortgage after foreclosure?
While foreclosure hurts your credit and stays on your account for up to seven years, it is still possible to get a mortgage post-foreclosure.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau advises that consumers with a past foreclosure may be eligible for Federal Housing Administration loans. Another possibility is a subprime mortgage, though interest rates on those may greatly exceed other mortgages. There are also loans, like non-QM loans, that cater to borrowers who have a previous bankruptcy or foreclosure.
Before taking out another mortgage, consider strengthening these financial habits:
Follow a budget.
Make on-time payments.
Regularly check your credit reports.
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