Yeah, incremental bumps might help a little, but honestly, isn't a bigger down payment the real game changer here? Curious if anyone's seen lenders noticeably soften up when you put more cash upfront, even with a shaky credit history...
Honestly, lenders do tend to loosen up a bit when they see more skin in the game. I've had clients with less-than-stellar credit histories who put down a hefty chunk upfront, and suddenly the lender's tune changed from "Hmm, maybe..." to "Alright, let's talk." 😂 But seriously, while a bigger down payment can definitely smooth things over, it won't erase the bankruptcy completely. Have you checked into FHA loans yet? Sometimes those are more forgiving, even with past credit hiccups.
Have you thought about chatting directly with a mortgage broker yet? I went through something similar a few years back—bankruptcy definitely complicates things, but it's not a permanent roadblock. FHA loans can be helpful, but sometimes conventional lenders surprise you too, especially if your down payment is substantial. Might be worth running your scenario past a broker to see exactly where you stand... either way, don't get discouraged, you're already asking the right questions.
Good points raised here. From my experience, waiting it out isn't always the best move—especially if home prices in your area are climbing steadily. A bigger down payment can offset some of the lender's concerns, but have you considered how interest rates might factor into your timing? When I bought after my financial setback, rates were low enough that jumping in sooner actually saved me money long-term, despite the bankruptcy on my record. Curious if you've looked into how current rates might impact your decision...
Totally get where you're coming from. When I went through my own bankruptcy, I debated forever about timing. Ended up biting the bullet sooner rather than later because prices were climbing fast in my area. Interest rates weren't amazing, but they were decent enough that waiting would've cost me more in the long run. Honestly, if your local market's heating up, jumping in with a bigger down payment might be smarter than holding off too long...just my two cents from personal experience.
