It seems all too often that people with bad credit feel that they are unable to get beyond their past. Owning a home and showing on-time mortgage payments is a good way to improve your overall credit portfolio. If you are approved for a mortgage and show payments being made on time this will go along way towards improving your credit scores and improving your overall financial picture.

When applying for home loans, do not try to hide your credit history, invariably they will uncover any and all skeletons you hoped were in your credit closet. You are much better off being open and honest with your mortgage lender. A good mortgage lender will know exactly what packages they can look into for you if you give them an honest and realistic picture of your credit history and other financial matters. Tell them what is wrong in your credit report and can be fixed, what is accurate and cannot be fixed and what you are unsure about. Some lenders will allow an explanation, including proof, of incorrect items on your credit report and look beyond them while evaluating your loan. Dishonesty, however, can hurt you in long run so be completely honest with lending institution.

You can also consider using a co-signer for loan who has a stronger credit history in some cases. You may be able to have them cosign loan for a period of time and then you can refinance loan in your name only once your credit history has been improved. This has become more common with first time homebuyers. The refinance market is strong and there will always be opportunity to do just that.

The simple fact of matter is that there are countless loan packages available to people with bad credit or no credit history. These loan packages can help you whether you have a large down payment, a small down payment or no down payment at all. Speaking to a mortgage lender or network of lenders that have many packages at their disposal will help you begin to realize your dreams of homeownership and put you on a path towards a much brighter financial picture.