How soon after a foreclosure covered by bankruptcy can you buy another house?

Answer 1

The Short Answer is 3 years before you can obtain an FHA insured mortgage and 5 years before you can obtain a "conforming" mortgage. Conforming simply meaning that it conforms to Fannie Mae guidelines. These time constraints are dictated by the FORECLOSURE not the Bankruptcy. Guidelines for Bankruptcy will allow you to obtain an FHA-insured mortgage in as little as 12 months from FILING with Chapter 13 and 24 Months after discharge with Chapter 7. The Chapter 13 can still be OPEN but you must get the courts permission to enter into the transaction.

The key to your scenario will be the loan size you need. FHA has loan limits set by County.

Below is the "long answer"

Previous Mortgage Foreclosure. A borrower whose previous principal residence or other real property was foreclosed or has given a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure within the previous three years is generally not eligible for a new FHA-insured mortgage. However, if the foreclosure was the result of documented extenuating circumstances that were beyond the control of the borrower and the borrower has re-established good credit since the foreclosure, the lender may grant an exception to the three-year requirement. Extenuating circumstances include serious illness or death of a wage earner, but do not include the inability to sell the house because of a job transfer or relocation to another area.

Bankruptcy. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy (liquidation) does not disqualify a borrower from obtaining an FHA-insured mortgage if at least two years have elapsed since the date of the discharge of the bankruptcy. Additionally, the borrower must have re-established good credit or chosen not to incur new credit obligations. The borrower also must have demonstrated a documented ability to responsibly manage his or her financial affairs. An elapsed period of less than two years, but not less than 12 months, may be acceptable if the borrower can show that the bankruptcy was caused by extenuating circumstances beyond his or her control and has since exhibited a documented ability to manage his or her financial affairs in a responsible manner. Additionally, the lender must document that the borrower's current situation indicates that the events that led to the bankruptcy are not likely to recur.

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy does not disqualify a borrower from obtaining an FHA-insured mortgage provided the lender documents that one year of the payout period under the bankruptcy has elapsed and the borrower's payment performance has been satisfactory (i.e., all required payments made on time). In addition, the borrower must receive permission from the court to enter into the mortgage transaction.