by dcallaghan » Fri Sep 24, 2010 10:08:24 AM
I am a mortgage broker who works with previously bankrupt individuals. The minimum standards to obtain mortgage financing in Canada after discharge is 12 months of new, re-established credit reporting on the credit bureau. Minimum amount is $1,500 of new credit, and there can not be any derogatory credit (collections, slow payment, etc.) recorded after the bankruptcy. If all else is good (employment, reason for bankruptcy, etc.) then I am usually successful obtaining mortgage approval through CMHC and the support of one of our local lenders.
One of my pet peeves is that in 80% of post-bankrupt clients, there are errors reporting on both TransUnion and Equifax credit bureaus. The Trustees generally fail to educate the bankrupt of the importance of re-establishing credit, and also sending in their discharge letter, along with the detailed list of tradelines included in the bankruptcy to the both Transunion and Equifax reporting agencies - as soon as they are discharged.
If all tradelines have been included in the bankruptcy, the bankrupt's credit score is frozen - and usually at a very low number (400 - 500 range). It will remain there until there is new re-established credit reporting, and even though the bankrupt is discharged, they will be unable to obtain a high ratio mortgage loan (less than 20% down payment) until their credit is "re-established" and they have a minimum of 600 credit score.
The best advice I can give newly discharged bankrupt clients is:
1. Send in all the details of your bankruptcy and your letter of discharge immediately to both Transunion and Equifax credit reporting agencies.
2. Check your credit to ensure all the tradelines included in the bankruptcy have been so marked and that your discharge is also reported.
3. Obtain a secured credit card as soon as possible to begin rebuilding your credit. Try to get a secured card with a limit of at least $1,500 for best results, and also make sure you make all your regular payments on time, everytime. Try to keep the card's balance below 70% of its limit to maximize your credit scoring.
4. You need a minimum of 12 months reporting A-1 credit on your bureau to be considered for high ratio mortgage financing.
Good luck.