Finance Australia :: Articles

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

Can you buy a house if you have bad credit?

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

Most people would expect that a bad credit rating would make it impossible to get a mortgage to buy a home - but it's not as simple as that. Can you buy a house with bad credit? The short answer is YES, but it is not all that easy.

Unfortunately bad credit can haunt you for the rest of your life. If there are bankruptcies or foreclosures on your credit report, you know how hard it is to get any line of credit.

Lenders and creditors simply look to as a too big of risk to loan money to but we know that, even though mistakes were made in the past, your financial situation and behavior can be reformed.

Some lenders understand this as well, and the sub prime lending market has grown and become very competitive.

The Lending Market

The lending market can be broken up into two main segments, the prime, those with average to good credit who are not huge financial risks.

Then there is the sub prime market, with those who have poor to very bad or no credit.

Lenders can give ratings to a certain sub prime client giving them a rating from A-D: A being the best rating and D being the worst.

When you fall into the C or D category, you are considered very high risk and more likely to default on a loan than that of a person with an A or B rating.

Sub Prime Lenders

Sub prime lenders generally give loans to even the highest of risk cases.

They look at the same information that a prime lender would look at to evaluate the type mortgage you can have.

They look at credit history, income, expenses and long term debt. If you do have foreclosures, bankruptcies, delinquent payments, and outstanding debt, they will take all of this into consideration.

If you can show steady employment, a good income, an effort to pay back the money you owe and are doing it in a timely fashion, you are more likely to get a better rate than that of someone who is not taking any steps to fix their credit.

Sub prime lenders can loan the money you need by protecting themselves. They do this through higher rates and fees that prime lenders would not charge.

A Word of Caution

Be careful, because some sub prime lenders have been known to take advantage of your poor credit history and charge a ridiculous amount in fees and charge you a too high of interest rate even for a poor credit case.

Fortunately for the consumer, this sub prime market is extremely competitive and you do not have to accept the first lender who offers to loan you money. You actually have the luxury to shop around and compare rates, even for the worst of credit cases!

So check online for tools that can aid you in finding and comparing sub prime lenders. The internet is a good place to start your research.

You can also ask for referrals from family, friends and even local bank. Don't allow credit mistakes in the past to dictate how you live your life today.

Buying a home is still an option regardless of your credit history. And, as long as the sub prime market continues to be competitive, you, the consumer is at a huge advantage.

It is always a good idea to take steps to repair your credit, and buying a home can aid in this.

If you make you mortgage payments on time every month, then you can watch your credit grow!

Sub prime lenders specialize in this area, so allow them you help you make your credit score even better!

Be sure the sub prime lender you use is trustworthy and qualified. There are sharks in the industry, so be sure to ask for references and look at licenses.

So, go buy your home and repair your credit at the same time! Take advantage of the opportunities you have at your fingertips.

Published: Monday, 23rd Aug 2021
Author: 9

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.


Finance Articles

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Business Loan Approved
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Business Loan Approved
Welcome, Australian entrepreneurs and business owners! Whether you're just setting down the foundation of a startup or steering a well-established enterprise, access to capital remains a critical ingredient for business growth and survival. In the bustling economy of Australia, a well-structured business loan can be the catalyst that propels your business forward, aiding in expansion, the acquisition of new equipment, or simply ensuring smooth operational cash flow during lean periods. - read more
Online Home Loan Calculators: How to Use Them in Your Loan Comparison
Online Home Loan Calculators: How to Use Them in Your Loan Comparison
Welcome to the world of savvy home financing! Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or seasoned investor, navigating the ocean of home loan options can be daunting. In this digital era, one tool stands out for its effectiveness in simplifying this journey: the online home loan calculator. - read more
How Finance Eligibility Assessments Work in Australia
How Finance Eligibility Assessments Work in Australia
A finance eligibility assessment can help Australian borrowers understand what lenders may review before a personal or business loan application, including income, expenses, credit history, debts, assets and serviceability. - read more

Finance News

Why arrears data matters before your next finance decision
Why arrears data matters before your next finance decision
01 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori
Fresh lending and banking indicators are giving Australian borrowers a timely reminder: the headline interest rate is only one part of the finance decision. While some lenders have been adjusting selected offers and competition remains visible in parts of the market, arrears and repayment stress are still important signals for households and small to medium-sized businesses planning their next move. - read more
Why fixed home loan rate cuts matter for borrowers now
Why fixed home loan rate cuts matter for borrowers now
25 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Recent moves by Australian lenders to reduce selected fixed home loan rates have added a fresh layer to the borrowing conversation. After a long period in which households and small business owners have been focused on higher repayments, even modest fixed-rate reductions can attract attention. The key point, however, is that a lower advertised rate is not automatically the best outcome for every borrower. - read more
What new BNPL credit rules mean for everyday borrowing
What new BNPL credit rules mean for everyday borrowing
18 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Australia’s buy now, pay later sector is moving further into the regulated credit environment, changing the way providers assess customers and the way borrowers should think about short-term repayments. For many households and small business owners, the key point is simple: a small instalment product can still affect cash flow, credit behaviour and future borrowing choices. - read more

Free Loan Eligibility Assessment

Loan Amount:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided free and without obligation by a specialist from our national broker referral panel. See our privacy statement for more details.


Knowledgebase
Credit Score:
A numerical expression based on a level analysis of a person's credit files, representing the creditworthiness of an individual.