Does having a tax lien automatically disqualify a potential borrow from a mortgage?

Elliot from Deland, Florida is looking for a mortgage lender, however he has a tax lien against him and is having trouble finding financing. On the plus side he has thirty thousand dollars to put as a down payment. Elliot called Robert Palmer to ask if having the lien against him automatically disqualifies him from getting a loan?

A tax lien is not going to completely stop a consumer from qualifying for a mortgage. Although with the lien the loan will need to be a FHA loan. FHA loans have a slightly higher rate, but in most cases a conventional loan will not accept borrowers with liens against them. Now with a FHA loan the down payment only requires 3 1/2% down leaving money to put towards paying off the lien. After the lien is paid off there will always be the option to refinance and possible secure a lower rate.