First time home buyers with bad credit have a lot of options when it comes to financing their purchase. You don't need to worry about getting approved, since almost all applications are accepted today. Instead, you should focus on getting the best rates and fees on your home loan.

Get Your Credit In Order

Home Loans

Before you start home loan shopping, make sure your credit is in order. Even with poor credit, you should check for any errors in your credit report. You can also include a letter explaining the circumstances around a late payment or bankruptcy. Some lenders will adjust your credit score and rate if the information can be verified.

You may also want to request your credit score to see where you stand. A score of 600 or higher will get you accepted by most conventional lenders. You can pay to get your score with a reporting agency or receive it free as part of an introductory offer with a credit monitoring service.

Think About Down Payment And Your Budget

Down payments can also improve your rates. For the lowest rates, put down 20% or more. Remember too, that you can tap into that cash with a home equity loan if you get in a pinch.

You should also look at your budget and see what you can afford for a house payment. Also include the cost of taxes, homeowners' insurance, and home repairs. With this number, you can determine how much you can afford to borrow.

Look At Interest Rates Not Approval Rates

When you look for a home loan, focus on finding the lowest rates and fees. You want to compare the APR of the loan since this includes both fees and rates. The type and term of your loan will also affect the rate. Adjustable rate mortgages offer the initial lowest rates. Short term loans also have lower rates.

Start requesting no obligation quotes from both conventional and subprime lenders. Once you have found the most favorable terms, you have two options. You can get pre-approved and then go home shopping. The other option is find the home and then lock in the deal. Getting pre-approved may give you an edge in negotiating a deal and locking in low rates.