Almost every homeowner refinances their mortgage loan at some point during the lifetime of the loan. The reasons for refinancing vary. Some homeowners refinance to take cash out of their homes to consolidate credit cards debts, pay for home refurbishment projects, finance their children's college education, pay off medical bills, etc.

No matter what the reason is, refinancing allows homeowners to tap into the equity in their homes to get cash in a short period of time. So what happens, if you have bad credit and need to take advantage of the equity in your home?

What is "bad credit"?

What one lender considers to be "bad" credit can be "fair" credit to another lender. Typically a credit score below 600 is considered to be poor by any lenders standards. With the current subprime market crash, a homeowner with a credit score below 600 have difficulty in finding a loan but it's not an impossible situation.

How to find a subprime refinance loan

The key to finding a refinance loan when you have a low credit score is to shop around. The goal of shopping around should be two-fold: Find lenders that will finance your mortgage and also provide the best possible interest rate. Though your interest rate will be higher than someone with good credit, it is important that you strive to find the best possible loan terms for someone in with your credit history. A reputable lender can provide loan quotes at no cost.

Once you get your loan quotes, compare loan terms and ensure that you thoroughly understand the type of loan that you are getting, any prepayment penalties, lenders fees, points, etc. Don't be shy about asking questions or walking away from a loan, if it doesn't feel right.