Refinancing your home loan when you have bad credit

You may be able to refinance to access some equity or get a better value home loan, even with a bad credit report.

Having a bad credit rating can make it more difficult to be approved for a loan when you refinance, but there are some specialist lenders who are willing to give you a loan. However, you'll need to make a conscious effort to improve your credit rating and take control of your debt. This may involve showing the lender that you have enough equity or savings to borrow less than 80% loan-to-value (LVR) ratio.

If you'd like to refinance to get a better interest rate, save money on interest or consolidate other personal debts, here are some steps to help you with the process.

Other lenders who can help

There are several lenders in Australia specialising in bad credit lending that could help you, including the following:

How to refinance if you have bad credit

refinance home loan

When you have a poor credit rating, you'll need to apply for what's known as a non-conforming loan. Your eligibility to refinance to a non-conforming loan is in part determined by your property's current loan-to-value ratio as lenders look at the existing equity you have. The more equity you have in your property (in other words, the more of your property that you own), the less of a risk the lender will see you.

Most lenders will require that you have a minimum of 20% equity in your property. This means your LVR is under 80%, which is the benchmark where lenders perceive you as less risky. Having equity of at least 20% will increase your chances of refinancing to a non-conforming lender.

Before you apply for a new loan, follow these five steps:

  1. Get a copy of your credit file. Accessing your credit file will help you understand how you look from the lender's perspective. This will give you an idea of the things a lender will look at when considering you as a customer. You can see your current credit limits, number of credit cards that you have and any late payments that have been reported.
  2. Take control of your debts. The next step is to be proactive about repaying any existing personal debts that you have. If you're having trouble meeting your credit card or utility payments, contact your provider to negotiate a new payment plan. Create a plan to pay off as many personal debts as you can, and importantly, close each facility as they're repaid, so you don't create new debts.
  3. Visit a mortgage broker. A licensed mortgage broker can discuss your borrowing needs with you in detail and help you with the application process. They will be able to draw upon their panel of lenders to find one that's more likely to consider your application in a positive light, given your impaired credit status.
  4. Speak to a specialist lender. Specialist lenders evaluate borrowers not on the number of defaults and the amounts of each of these defaults, but how long ago you made these mistakes. They recognise that you may have become credit impaired due to life events, such as divorce, illness or loss of a job, and they are willing to offer loans to help you own your home and pay off existing debts.
  5. Aim to borrow less than 80% LVR. This avoids the need for lender’s mortgage insurance (LMI) and means you’re a lower risk to the lender, which boosts your chances of a loan approval. Try to show the lender that you have a plan to repay any other debts, too, so they can see you're on a pathway towards a better financial future.

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How to compare bad credit home loans

When deciding on the best non-conforming home loan to fit your specific lifestyle, there are certain factors that will help determine which loan is best for you.

  • Interest rate. Bad credit home loans generally have a higher interest rate, which is why it's so important to compare home loans to ensure you're getting the best deal.
  • Comparison rate. Always check the comparison rate because it represents the true cost of your home loan. Since you're already paying a higher interest rate, you don't want to pay higher fees.
  • Fees. Another aspect to take into account is the amount of fees that you will have to pay. For instance, does your potential loan provider have any hidden fees or are they upfront about their extra charges? It's crucial for you to know this information so that you won't be surprised with any additional expenses.
  • Repayments. When selecting the most appropriate lender, you must be well versed in the loan repayment schedule. This will allow you to be more organised and know exactly when all of your monthly payments are due.

You also need to know how to manage the bad debt you already have to avoid getting into the same situation again. To make sure you move forward on the best financial foot, here are a few tips

Ben Nash's headshot
Expert insight: Why credit really matters for your home loan

"Refinancing a mortgage can help you save on interest costs and bump up your savings capacity, but if your credit isn't perfect your options can sometimes be limited. Understanding your position is the first step in putting a plan in place to get to where you want to be. "

Financial adviser & founder, Pivot Wealth

Keep debt consolidation loans separate.

It's possible to refinance your home loan to consolidate bad debts such as credit cards or personal loans, so you're paying the same low interest rate on these debts as your home loan. To successfully manage this sort of bad credit refinance, you should split your refinance loan so that you make separate payments for your home loan and your personal debts. Otherwise, you'll be paying your credit cards and personal loans off over 20-30 years with your home loan, which will cost a lot more overall. For instance, if you have $20,000 worth of personal debts and a home loan of $350,000, refinance to a new loan with two split amounts: $350,000 and $20,000. You can then pay more off the $20,000 portion, so you pay it off as quickly as possible. Just make sure you choose a loan that allows extra repayments.

Don't choose features that will tempt you.

If you know you have trouble with managing finances, then features such as a line of credit, which allows you to withdraw up to the value of the equity in your home, may tempt you to spend more. Similarly, if the refinance loan you choose has a free redraw facility you may be tempted to withdraw the extra repayments.

Don't apply for multiple mortgages.

Every application for a loan will appear on your credit file, so during the refinance process, don't apply with multiple lenders. If you unsuccessfully apply for refinancing with multiple lenders, it will be viewed negatively by lenders you approach in the future. Take the time to research, seek the help of a mortgage broker and find the right loan for you before submitting your refinance application. Mortgage brokers are professionals who specialise in helping borrowers find mortgages. Their services are usually free because they receive a commission from the lender you choose. Borrowers in tough credit situations might find it easier to get finance with a broker's help.

How can I improve my chances of approval?

Here are some steps you can take to improve the likelihood of your application for refinancing being approved.

  • Discharge your bankruptcy. Your chances of being approved for refinancing are vastly improved if you've been released from your bankruptcy status. This usually takes a minimum of three years (more information on reaching discharged bankruptcy status is available from the Australian Financial Security Authority). Generally speaking, the longer you've been discharged, the better your chances of being approved.
  • Save a deposit. Having a deposit of 20% or more saved can be hugely beneficial when applying for a new home loan, and it can also help when refinancing an existing loan. Being able to provide evidence of financial stability and security can improve your borrowing capacity. A deposit of 20% or more may also mean that you can avoid paying lenders mortgage insurance (LMI).
  • Demonstrate repayment history. A lender will be much more likely to offer you the financing you need if you can prove a history of making loan and debt repayments on time.
  • Provide proof of employment history. If you can provide evidence of a long and steady history of employment, a lender is much more likely to view your refinancing application in a favourable light.
  • Don't apply for too many loans. Serial loan application is looked upon negatively by lenders. Every application you make is included in your credit history, so be selective about the lenders you approach.

Refinancing your home loan after bankruptcy can help you get your finances back on track, but make sure to compare your options and seek professional help so that you end up with the best loan for your needs.

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Editor

Richard Whitten is a money editor at Finder, and has been covering home loans, property and personal finance for 6+ years. He has written for Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Homely; and has appeared on various radio shows nationwide. He holds a Certificate IV in mortgage broking and finance (RG 206), a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification and a Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products (RG 146) certification. See full bio

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Richard has written 560 Finder guides across topics including:
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As an authority on all things personal finance, Sarah Megginson is passionate about helping you save money and make money. She is an editor and money expert with 20 years’ experience and an extensive background in property and finance journalism. Sarah holds ASIC RG146-compliant Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, and she's a regular media commentator, appearing weekly on TV (Sunrise, Channel 7 news, Nine news), radio (KIIS FM, Triple M, 3AW, 2GB, 6PR) and in digital and print media. See full bio

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6 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    sarahApril 6, 2014

    Hi Team at finder.com. we would like to know if your able to help us out. we would like to refinance but have amounts on our credit file under $1000 each. if we can refinance we are prepared to pay these out in full. we find it funny that you have fox symes as a recommendation for bad credit home loans as i have previously spoken with them and they have said that they dont do bad credit finance and cant help us. thanks sarah and scott

      AvatarFinder
      MarcApril 7, 2014Finder

      Hi Sarah,

      Thanks for the question.

      We don’t offer any home loans ourselves, but rather allow you only to compare different products available in the market. I’d recommend comparing the different bad credit home loans in the marketplace and then contacting any lenders who have products you’re interested in. You might also want to consider credit repair services.

      I hope this helps,
      Marc.

    Default Gravatar
    gumbaJanuary 25, 2014

    i got the pre approvel from a bank and then got declined because we fell behind on our home loan by 2 months christmas period , i will have the money to bring it up to date in next week,we have $150k equity in our home (valued at $250k) and would like to consolidate our credit card,cars and bike loan in total $90k..im lost to wich bank we should go to and to who would accept us

      AvatarFinder
      MarcJanuary 28, 2014Finder

      Hi Gumba,

      Thanks for the question.

      If you are transferring multiple debts from more than one credit card, you need to make sure that the combined debt doesn’t exceed this balance transfer limit.

      You can also consider consolidating your credit card debt to a personal loanand see if you can also take advantage of other debt consolidation methods available.

      Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.

      I hope this helps,
      Marc

    Default Gravatar
    paulJanuary 6, 2014

    We have sold our house and are buying another house the buying price is $327,500 applying for a loan of $85,000 have been knocked back from a default on a gas and electricity bill we were not aware of from 2010 it is paid can someone please advise best solution I have a broker how isn’t returning calls or replying to messages sent am today appreciate any assistance regards Paul

      AvatarFinder
      MarcJanuary 7, 2014Finder

      Hello Paul,

      Thanks for the question.

      While I’m unable to give personal advice, generally speaking, there are some lenders who do grant loans to those with defaults on their credit files. It may be a good idea to carry out a search of these lenders and compare them using their fees and interest rates. It may also be a good idea to seek the services of a different mortgage broker. You can also compare bad credit home loans using our comparison table.

      I hope that helps,
      Marc

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