What to do if you are denied a mortgage
SEATTLE — Found your dream home but then got denied a mortgage? It can be heartbreaking and demoralizing, but there might be some things you can do because “no” doesn’t always mean all is lost.
As Consumer Reports explains, there are ways to reverse that bad news and get you into your new home.
Homeownership can be a valuable long-term investment and wealth-building opportunity for you and future generations. But getting your foot in the door - actually buying that first home - can be tricky, especially for certain communities.
“Black and Hispanic customers actually get denied home loans almost twice as much as white customers," said Lisa Gill, Consumer Reports investigative reporter.
If your loan application gets denied, there are things you can do to help save it, but you have to act fast.
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“If you want to save your loan, you’ll have as little as a day or two between the time your loan officer breaks the bad news to you and the bank sends a formal letter of denial," explained Gill.
Start by asking for a detailed explanation of why you were denied, which by law you are entitled to get. If you were denied because some information was missing or unverifiable - get it submitted or verified ASAP.
“By providing a letter explaining anything the lender may not be clear about, such as reasons for gaps in employment along with supporting documentation, could salvage your loan application," said Gill.
If you find you’re hitting dead ends, shopping around for a new mortgage might be your best bet but do it right away. Every time your credit score gets “hard checked,” it’ll cost your score several points.
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“You’ll have 14 days from the first day the original lender did a ‘hard check’ to shop around for a new mortgage without further hurting your credit score," added Gill.
If you are looking for a new loan, a lender that participates in a Special Purpose Credit Program (SPCP) might help. The program allows the lender to specifically assist disadvantaged borrowers of color, women, people with disabilities and other underserved groups. You can find a bank offering an SPCP near you by visiting the National Fair Housing Alliance’s website.
If you think your loan application was denied because of discrimination, you can file a complaint at the Department of Justice Housing Discrimination tip line.