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Mortgage Lenders Who Don't Check Credit Scores

Mortgage Lenders Who Don't Check Credit ScoresMark Cappel
UpdatedJun 15, 2012
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    3 min read
Key Takeaways:
  • Hard money lenders lend based on loan-to-value ratio.
  • Hard money loans are tactical, short-term loans.
  • If you want a long-term loan, improve your credit score.

Is it Likely You Can Find a Mortgage Without a Credit Check? No, But it's Possible

Is it possible to qualify for a mortgage without a credit check? Yes!

Actually, the full answer is "Yes, but under unusual circumstances that do not apply to most home buyers." Here are two steps to qualify for a no-credit-check mortgage.

Step 1: Find a Hard Money Lender

First, develop a relationship with a private lender, which are also known as a hard money lender. The phrase "hard money lender" sounds vaguely menacing, but in most circumstances hard money lenders serve a valuable role in the housing market. Hard money lenders specialize in short-term, fast-closing, high-interest loans to people who need:

  • A bridge loan to make a quick purchase of property
  • A construction pay-off loan for a spec home builder
  • A loan to acquire raw land
  • A construction stand-by loan
  • Financing to "flip" a fixer-upper property

Here is a key fact: Hard money loans are not alternatives to conventional, long-term mortgages offered by mortgage brokers, banks, and credit unions. Hard money loans are intended for tactical, short-term use. The maximum loan-to-value ratio comfort zone for hard money lenders ranges from 50 to 70 percent of the property's market value.

Hard money lenders are usually private investors who want to invest in short-term real estate projects as a means to earn a high rate of return on their cash. Most hard money lenders work in a limited area. This is because most hard money lenders rely on their ability to physically inspect the property before investing in it.

Find hard money lenders in your area by speaking to local mortgage brokers. Some will also place small advertisements in local newspapers.

Quick Tip

looking for a home loan? try one of bills.com’s pre-screened mortgage and refinance partners to find a lender who will give you a great deal in your area.

Step 2: Present the Deal

Contact several hard money lenders and describe your proposal. The lenders will want to know:

  • The purpose of the loan
  • The present market value of the property
  • How much you need to borrow
  • How long you need to borrow (the term)
  • How much you expect to sell the property for, and why

Hard money lenders will inspect the property. The amount of detail in the inspection will vary. Some will simply drive by to make sure the property exists and get an informal impression on comparable properties in the neighborhood. Others will want to learn more about the property and you.

If you have a long-standing relationship with a hard money lender, then he or she will not run a credit check on you. Where a borrower and lender have a history of deals between them, that positive history is better data than a number in a credit report.

Summary

If you have bad credit and seek a 30-year loan, your only viable option is to work within the traditional mortgage system. This means you will need a good credit score, a two-year work history, enough cash for a down payment, and a low debt-to-income ratio. If you do not have a credit score, or have a low credit score, then concentrate on improving your credit score.

If you want to enter the business of buying and flipping fixer-uppers and REOs that are flowing into the market today, then get to know hard money lenders. In time and with a positive history, you will be able to borrow large sums with no credit check. But as we mentioned at the start of this article, this is a relatively rare circumstance for almost all consumers seeking a home loan.

7 Comments

DDEBRA BLAKE, Feb, 2021

i am in bankrupt and my credit is bad but i want to buy a home to get it better ,my scores is low also what can i do ? call me at 334-526-4278 thanks you

JJosh, Aug, 2021

Debra, 
Thank you for reaching out. We recommend reading this article if you want to secure a home for the short term. If you want to secure a home for the long term, we recommend following the traditional mortgage path. 

Save money for a down payment. Have a two-year job history. Build up your credit. This will allow you to have more success in obtaining a home. 

Regards, Josh 

AAnonymous, May, 2019

Watch out for Greener Funds Service and Mrs. Kenni Pattenson. They claim to be a US-based company that offers 2.1% loans in conjunction with Chinese investors. 

Don't fall for this!

CClaronda, Jul, 2013
I am currently in bankruptcy and I had a federal tax lien that was attached to my house and now the federal tax lien has expired and I am own my home free and clear with no mortgage. My house was just appraised and has a market value of $102,800. I owe $10,000 to the bankruptcy court and have repairs that need to be done on the house as well so I will need a loan for $35,000 to be paid off within 5 to 10 years. My credit scores are not good due to bankruptcy. I need a loan to pay off my bankruptcy unsecured debt to allow me to keep my house that will let me use my house as collateral and not lose my house. I am on a fixed income of $3,500 a month that I get from my disability retirement for the rest of my life plus I have three children that I receive child support for that is court ordered in the amount of $829. My kids are 16, 14, and 11. I will be getting Social Security disability with in the next few months as well and my kids will also get a check from Social Security, too. I live in Montgomery AL and I need to be pointed in right direction to get help.
BBill, Jul, 2013
By today's mortgage lending standards, the amount you seek is small, so a mortgage loan officer will likely not give you the time of day. Therefore, talk to several local banks and credit unions about a loan. It is more likely a local bank or credit union will overlook your bankruptcy issues, too. They may also be likelier to view your low loan-to-value loan as a compensating factor that offsets your low credit score. Unfortunately, it may be the case that no normal lender will work with you due to the recent bankruptcy and your low credit score and you will have to look at a private money loan.
CChris, Oct, 2012
Need house asap
BBill, Oct, 2012
Chris, I can't point you in the right direction to get approved for a loan quickly, without knowing more about your situation (income, credit rating, size of down-payment, etc.).