Understand What Adverse Lenders Are Looking For

None of us are mind readers, but it might seem like you need to be after being rejected for a loan again and again by adverse lenders. What was wrong? Was it the application? Is it due to income? Did past arrears affect the decision? Well there is no way to know exactly why a particular loan or mortgage was not accepted by the adverse lenders, but understanding what they are looking for is the first step in getting ahead of their game. Most adverse lenders will be looking for the same things - clean history, home ownership, proof of income - and it's your job to know all this and be ready for anything when the next application goes through.

The first step is to assess how adverse you are, and which adverse lenders fit your profile if you want to be accepted by their criteria. Check your credit history and talk to your adviser - from that you can deduce at which level you could be considered. Adverse lenders set their lending from light nearprime lending all the way to heavy subprime lending, depending on your circumstances. If you are a heavy subprime customer, you will have trouble getting round the criteria of adverse lenders if they are only nearprime specialists, and similarly a nearprime borrower would not find a great deal if the adverse lenders they are shopping with are experts in heavy subprime products.

It cannot be emphasised enough how important it is to have a good knowledge of your credit history. It is the basis of all the criteria of adverse lenders, because without it they would not have any proof of your ability to handle debt. If you have black spots in your past - arrears, County Court Judgements or Individual Voluntary Arrangement - do not be surprised if you have difficulty getting through the lenders' criteria. So know your limits and be sensible.

Adverse lenders will want to see some solid proof that you can manage debt - income is obviously vital, as is collateral usually in the form of a home, and some proof that you have dealt with debt is also a definite requirement for adverse lenders. Additionally, a short-term plan, proof of good habits and a sensible outlook will also go a long way to getting your mortgage.

Naturally, adverse lenders will always be wary to offer credit to anyone with a troubled financial past, especially in these days of credit crunch fears and spiralling personal debts in the UK. So if you can wait, do it. Stick on the straight and narrow - credit histories can be repaired and any black marks will be cast aside if good behaviour can be consistently proved. Adverse lenders will be much happier to lend if they can see, for example, six months of good behaviour, or a year of paying off debt. The longer you can wait, the better deal you could be offered.

Also, if you are preparing to apply for credit from adverse lenders, make sure all other debts and financial responsibilities are in order. Know what you owe to whom, and make sure you have strategies to keep up with existing debts, as well as the one you are hoping to take on. With a well-thought out plan and some idea of future finances adverse lenders will be a lot more confident of your potential to pay off debt.

So how can you beat the criteria trap of adverse lenders? Talk to an adviser - know your situation, check your rating, and have long-term plan - adverse lenders will want to lend to smart borrowers who know what they want and how they want to get it.