540 Credit Score Mortgage

Options for getting a mortgage loan with 540 Credit score

With 540 credit score, you have several options for a mortgage. Purchase or refinance through FHA or financing by private money lenders, aka hard money lenders. To obtain a HUD FHA loan, you must have at least 10% down and compensating factors such as low DTI (Debt to Income ratio), stable income, and reserves.

FHA, Fannie-Freddie, VA, USDA and Subprime, Non-QM loans

With poor credit of 540 you are not eligible for Conventional (Fannie- Freddie) loans, Va, or USDA. To find out if you are qualified for an FHA loan, explore https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing . You may be able to get a Subprime loan with LTV under 65%. Find out wht loan you qualify for with our FHA /Subprime eligibility calculator If your credit score is 580 or higher, you may need only a 3.5% down payment.


540 credit score mortgage

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Private money lenders for credit score 540

Despite having a low credit score, Private investors will refinance your mortgage as long as you have enough equity in the property or you put in a large down payment.

Owner-Occupied Residential FHA Owner-Occupied Residential Hard Money Non-Owner-Occupied Residential Commercial Vacant Land
Max Loan to Value 90$ 60.91$ 61.01$ 62.62% 50.62%
Programs FHA Hard Money Hard Money Hard Money Hard Money
Vesting Natural name Natural, Corporation, LLC Natural, Corporation, LLC Natural, Corporation, LLC Natural, Corporation, LLC
Tax Returns 2 years tax- Must documents showing ATR Alt documents or equity-only loans Alt documents or equity-only loans Alt documents or equity-only loans
Points 2.99 3.02 3.75 3.5 3.81
Rate 7.34% 11.25% 12.14% 11.65% 13.34%
Loan terms 30 years or 15 years 1—5 years 1—5 years 1-7 years 1-3 years
Property Condition Good condition Any Any include Fixer-Upper Any Unentitled land reduce LTV to 29.23

The Rates & Terms depend on the Loan-to-Value, credit, property location, condition, and local real estate market condition. Unlike the FHA loan, which has standard underwriting, private money loan programs differ significantly between lenders. It behooves you to contact and get quotes from at least three lenders before you make a decision. See a list of potential hard money lenders or use the Lendersa form to shop for your loan simultaneously with hundreds of private money lenders.

How mortgage brokers rip you off

540 is a low score; unfortunately, a small percentage of mortgage brokers could take advantage of your credit disadvantage by trying to charge you an arm and a leg. Therefore, it would be best if you compared 3-10 lenders' programs before deciding on the best lender, thus avoiding mortgage brokers' rip-offs and loan sharks.

Improve your credit score for mortgage

Credit scores of 625 or above will open the door for more loan programs and better rates & terms. If you are not rushing to refinance or purchase a property, consider raising your credit score before attempting a loan review. Check our recommended resources to improve your credit at the bottom of the page Improving your credit score will enhance your chances for better loans. Understanding how credit scores work is the first step to raising your credit.

Here are a few links to resources that could raise your credit score: https://www.usa.gov/credit-reports https://www.fanniemae.com/crediteducation https://myhome.freddiemac.com/refinancing


List of lenders who consider lending to borrowers with 540 credit:

  • Enterprise Corporation of the Delta
  • 4 Old River Pl, Suite A, Jackson, MS, 39202
  • HOPE (Hope Enterprise Corporation, Hope Credit Union and Hope Policy Institute) provides financial services; aggregates resources; and engages in advocacy to mitigate the extent to which factors such as race, gender, birthplace and wealth limit one’s ability to prosper. HOPE has generated or leveraged more than $3.1 billion in financing
  • Independent Lending Corp
  • 2 Casa Way, Suite 105, San Francisco, CA, 94123
  • Our mission is to serve our customers with honesty, integrity and competence. Our goal is to provide home loans to our clients while providing them with the lowest interest rates and closing costs possible. Furthermore, we pledge to help borrowers overcome roadblocks that can arise while securing a loan.
  • BR Fire Department Federal Credit Union
  • 11123 Boardwalk Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70816
  • The Baton Rouge Fire Department Federal Credit Union has been serving our local area since 1936. We are a non-profit financial institution, which is owned and operated by its members. We provide our members low-interest loans and convenient savings plans. Our Vision is to become the preferred financial institution for all fire department employees.
  • Alpha Mortgage Advantage LLC
  • 6329 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28403
  • Alpha Mortgage Corporation has been serving our local communities since 1983, and our unwavering support continues to this day. With a team of experts by your side throughout the entire loan process, you can rest at ease knowing that you are getting the best most attentive service available.
  • LVL Funding Group, LLC
  • 200 East 5th Street, Suite 1200, Charlotte, NC, 28202
  • LVL, we are proud to serve our clients, partners, & lenders. We are Commercial Mortgage Consultants focused on providing the best financing solutions for each deal and every client. As Banks make it increasingly difficult for borrowers to get the financing they need, we are here to own that process for our clients.
  • California Mortgage Brokers Inc.
  • 150 N. Grand Ave Suite 204, West Covina, CA, 91791
  • California Mortgage Brokers Inc mission is to serve our customers with honesty, integrity and competence. Our goal is to provide home loans to our clients while providing them with the lowest interest rates and closing costs possible. Furthermore, we pledge to help borrowers overcome roadblocks that can arise while securing a loan.
  • Marion County Savings Bank
  • 301 W Main St, Salem, IL, 62881
  • MCSB is a mutual community bank that is owned by you, our depositors! Our goal is to protect the mutual community banking philosophy, which is to make serving customers and community a priority, while keeping profits at a reasonable level. Most banking organizations that are owned by shareholders expect a return on their investment
  • Lynx Financial Group, LLC
  • 8857 Cincinnati Dayton Road, Suite 202, West Chester, OH, 45069
  • Lynx Financial Group was established in 2001 and has been helping homebuyers and homeowners ever since. We offer 1st Time Homebuyer Programs, FHA, VA, USDA and Commercial loans. Our staff has over 80 years of experience in the Mortgage Industry. This has allowed us to prosper while the industry as a whole has seen a downturn.
  • Elementary Lending
  • 45693 Hayes Road, Shelby Township, MI, 48315
  • Elementary Lending is a Premier Mortgage Brokerage in the Metro Detroit area. Our main focus is to educate our clients on all available options to ensure they are able to get into the program that best fits their goals. Our amazing team will help every client with a simplified and transparent process.
  • 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union
  • PO Box 2116, Burlington, VA, 23609
  • 1st Advantage has long been a Virginia-based credit union focused on you, our member. As a not-for-profit financial institution, we're structured to save you more money and pay you higher dividends while providing convenient tools and personal, knowledgeable service and 1st Advantage Federal has grown from a cigar box with $500 to local community.
  • The DM3 Group
  • 11700 W. Charleston Blvd, Suite 170, Suite 105, Las Vegas, NV, 89135
  • The DM3 Group is proud to offer some of the most innovative loan products in the market place today. With over 25+ years of experience in lending, we aim to be your first phone call when considering any loan. We promise to be honest, efficient and courteous to all our clients. There will be no time wasted while working with us.