Getting a Mortgage After Chapter 7
November 4, 2026
You can get a mortgage after Chapter 7 bankruptcy once you meet the program's waiting period, which is generally counted from the discharge date. FHA and VA guidelines generally require about two years after discharge, and conventional loans under Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines generally require four years, with shorter periods possible for documented extenuating circumstances. Individual lenders may add stricter rules, so ask about overlays.
Waiting periods by program. FHA's rules in HUD Handbook 4000.1 generally call for two years from the Chapter 7 discharge, with re-established good credit, and allow a shorter period in limited documented extenuating circumstances. VA guidelines generally look for two years from discharge. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac generally require four years from discharge or dismissal, reduced to two years when extenuating circumstances, such as a serious illness or job loss outside your control, are documented. USDA loans have their own rules. Program guides change, so confirm the current rule with the lender and the published guide.
Rebuilding and choosing a lender. Lenders will look at what you've done since the discharge: on-time payments, new credit used responsibly, steady income and savings. Keep your discharge papers and schedules handy, and be ready to write a short letter explaining what happened. Because lenders layer their own credit overlays beyond program rules, one lender may say no where another says yes. A loan officer who regularly handles post-bankruptcy files, or a broker who can compare several lenders, can save time. Some non-QM programs allow shorter waits after a bankruptcy, but they usually cost more, so compare them with waiting for an agency loan.
Questions to ask and quick answers. Ask each lender: Which waiting period applies to my file, and from which date? Do you have overlays beyond the program guide? What credit history do you want to see since the discharge? Do my circumstances qualify as extenuating, and what documents prove it? If I wait a few more months, will my options improve? Does the waiting period start at filing or discharge? For Chapter 7 it's generally the discharge date. Will a bankruptcy show on my credit report? Generally yes, for up to ten years, but lenders follow program waiting periods rather than that window. Can I get pre-approved before the waiting period ends? A lender can review your file and tell you when you'll be eligible. See our posts on non-QM loans and lender overlays.
After Chapter 7, eligibility depends on the program's waiting period from discharge, the credit you've rebuilt since and the lender's own overlays. FHA and VA generally allow earlier eligibility than conventional loans, and non-QM is an option at a higher cost. Compare lenders who handle these files often. Sources: HUD Handbook 4000.1 (hud.gov); VA Lenders Handbook, M26-7 (va.gov); Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-5.3-07; Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide. General education only, not legal advice. LoFi Rate is an independent matching service, not a lender or mortgage broker. If you request a match, your information is shared with independent mortgage professionals licensed in your state.