Getting a loan can be a daunting task, especially if you don't know why your application was denied. It's important to understand the reasons why your loan application was declined so that you can take the necessary steps to improve your chances of being approved in the future. Some of the most common reasons for loan denial include a low credit score or low credit profile, a high debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, insufficient income, unstable employment, or a mismatch between the purpose of the loan and the requirements of the lender. Your credit score is one of the most important factors lenders consider when evaluating your loan application.
Even if you have an excellent credit score, there may be negative elements on your credit report that are significant enough to scare lenders away. If you have recently gone through bankruptcy or foreclosure, it is possible to increase your score within 18 to 24 months if you manage your finances properly. Income is another key factor that lenders consider when evaluating your loan application. Not all income will count; only “qualifying income” is included when calculating your DTI.
If you receive cash income that is not reported, or certain bonuses and commissions, they may not help you with a loan approval. Self-employed people will have to work harder to have their income counted in the application. When you get your home inspected and a major problem arises, you may be denied your mortgage loan. Lenders generally deny your loan if they consider the home to be a bad investment during the appraisal process.
While it's not a good feeling to be denied your loan, it might be the best case scenario: you don't want to buy a house burdened with problems that needs to be fixed. If you can't determine why your loan application was declined on your own, contact the lender for more information. They may be able to provide more insight into why you were denied and what steps you can take to improve your chances of being approved in the future. Pre-qualification allows you to preview the potential loan rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
A smaller loan will seem less risky to a lender and can help improve your overall DTI picture, which could help you qualify. Savings are not guaranteed and depend on several factors including, but not limited to, interest rates, fees, and the length of the loan. When applying for a loan, it's important to maintain stable employment and avoid taking on any new debt after the process begins. If you search and compare several loan offers to each other, you could end up saving hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars over the course of your loan. Credit-building loans are available primarily through credit unions, community banks and community development financial institutions. Getting a personal loan with a co-signer who has a solid credit score and income is sometimes beneficial in boosting your application.
Unfortunately, most lenders don't release this information, so it's hard to tell if your income is high enough to get approved for a loan. If your loan application was declined for any of the above reasons, here is a short list of actions you can take to improve your chances of being approved next time:
- Check your credit report for errors or negative items.
- Pay down existing debt.
- Increase qualifying income.
- Maintain stable employment.
- Avoid taking on new debt.
- Search and compare multiple loan offers.
- Consider getting a co-signer.
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