Mortgage Post Bankruptcy

Jen & Cory • September 24, 2019

This should come as no surprise, but sometimes life throws you a financial curveball. Bankruptcy and consumer proposals happen. It doesn't mean your life is over, and it doesn't mean you won't ever qualify for a mortgage again. The key here is to get a plan in place and show that you've got things under control. You must be able demonstrate to anyone considering you for financing that what happened in the past won't happen again in the future.

Mortgage financing post bankruptcy is possible, it's just different than your standard mortgage financing in that the following considerations must be taken into account.

  • Firstly, financing will be dependent on how long it has been since you were discharged from your bankruptcy, or how long since you completed your consumer proposal. Most lenders consider the discharge date on both to be your new ground zero.
  • Secondly, financing will be dependent on how you have been re-establishing your credit since your discharge date. Also, how in depth that credit is. A $700 Visa is nice, but a $5000 Line of Credit carries a little more weight.

In order to qualify for mortgage financing with a mainstream lender, they will want to see a minimum of the following before they will give you a mortgage. You must be discharged for at least 2 years, have at least a 5% downpayment from your own resources (although 10% is a safer bet), 2 years of credit established through 2 trade lines with a minimum credit amount of $2500 each, and no late or missed payments. This would be the bare minimum to qualify.

As mortgage professionals, our job is to provide solutions and strategies for our clients. As such we have access to lenders who aren't mainstream. These alternative lenders will consider extending mortgage financing when clients have a larger downpayment. You're looking at 20%-25% downpayment minimum, and the interest rates will be a little higher than mainstream lending. Alternative lending isn't for everyone, but it's a great solution for some, especially those who have gone through a bankruptcy or consumer proposal.

So whether you're looking for a plan to help you qualify for a mortgage with the most favourable terms, or if you need something more immediate. Please don't hesitate to contact us anytime. We would love to help outline your financing options and give you a plan so that you can get a mortgage post bankruptcy.

Jen & Cory
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What Online Mortgage Calculators Can—and Can’t—Tell You

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What Online Mortgage Calculators Can—and Can’t—Tell You Online mortgage calculators are everywhere—and on the surface, they seem like a no-brainer. You plug in some numbers, and out pops what you can “afford.” Simple, right? Not quite. While the math itself is correct, the story behind those numbers is often misleading. Mortgage qualification isn’t just about numbers—it’s about context, risk, and lender policy. And that’s where calculators fall short. The Numbers Are Accurate—but the Picture Isn’t An online calculator can show you what a payment might look like at a given interest rate, or how making extra payments could reduce your amortization. That’s useful information! But when it comes to mortgage qualification , calculators don’t account for the many variables that lenders consider, such as: Your credit history and score Employment type (salary, self-employed, contract) Outstanding debts and monthly obligations Assets, savings, and down payment source The property type and location you’re buying Lenders evaluate all these factors through their internal risk models. That means two people entering the exact same numbers into a calculator could receive very different results when they actually apply for a mortgage. Why Online Calculators Can Mislead You When you see a “How much can I afford?” or “Mortgage Qualification” calculator online, it’s easy to treat the result as fact. But these tools don’t know your financial story—they only crunch the data you enter. A calculator can’t predict how a lender views your risk, how new mortgage rules apply to your file, or how things like spousal support, car loans, or variable income will impact approval. In short: calculators estimate payments, not qualification . Use Calculators the Right Way Don’t get us wrong—online calculators still have value. Use them to explore different “what-if” scenarios: How do payments change with different down payment amounts? How would a rate increase affect affordability? What if you added $100 a month to your payments? These tools are great for helping you understand your comfort zone. Just remember: they’re a starting point, not a green light. The Real First Step: Get a Pre-Approval If you’re serious about buying a home, skip the guesswork and get a mortgage pre-approval . It’s quick, free, and gives you real-world clarity on what you can afford. A pre-approval looks at your full financial picture—income, credit, debts, assets—and provides a framework for your purchase price, payment range, and rate options. It’s the only way to get a reliable answer to the question, “What can I really afford?” Final Thoughts Online calculators are convenient, but they can’t replace expert advice. Think of them as a starting point, not a solution. A professional mortgage broker can interpret the numbers, navigate lender policies, and tailor your financing strategy to your actual situation. If you’d like help understanding your true buying power—or want to get pre-approved with confidence— reach out anytime . I’d be happy to walk you through your options and help you make sense of the numbers.