Tips for Finding the Right Loan


by Martin Lukac - Date: 2006-11-30 - Word Count: 485 Share This!

Taking out a loan can mean that you have a lot of decisions to make. Borrowing money will always cost you money in interest. When you decide to take on a new loan, there are a lot of choices to make.

In fact, you don't even have to look far to find a loan. Every day consumers are bombarded by lender information. The mail is full of pre-approved offers. Telemarketers keep calling offering you lower rates on credit cards and mortgages.

The first thing you must consider when considering a loan is how much you really need. For example, if you are looking to purchase a used vehicle you need to look at what you can afford out of your monthly budget. Consider that you will also have to pay for insurance as well. Use an online calculator to estimate how much you can afford to spend at different interest rates and different loan terms.

The key is trying to find the cheapest interest rate possible. This will save you the most money over the long term. It will also lower your monthly payment.

Once you know the amount you need to borrow, there are a few other choices you need to make. The first regards finding a lender.

The lender should be authorized and licensed. Dealing with a bank is usually a safe route. You want to choose a credible lender. Ask your friends, family and co-workers for suggestions as who to borrow from in the area. Everyone will have had good and bad experiences with lenders that they are willing to share.

Look at the interest rate each lender is offering. The interest helps in determining your monthly payment. Ask about the rates and terms for the loan product you want. Make sure you understand whether the quoted rate is for a fixed interest loan or an adjustable interest loan. Know whether or not your loan can be subsidized, such as an educational loan.

Make sure that you read the fine print carefully. Lenders do not give away money. There are often fees and other charges involved in the borrowing process. Know exactly what these fees will be when you are comparing loans.

You want to choose a loan that does not have an early repayment penalty. This often includes a certain percentage of the interest that you would have paid over the life of the loan. For example, on a vehicle loan, if you choose to sell the vehicle and pay the loan off, you could end up owing quite a bit of additional penalty money.

Many people with good credit and steady income are offered more than they require in a loan. This often happens in mortgages. Don't be tempted. You know what you can afford. The lender simply wants to make the most money off of your loan. The more you borrow, the more you repay in interest. Take out only what you need and pay it back quickly.


Related Tags: loan

Martin Lukac http://www.MartinLukac.com, represents http://www.RateEmpire.com, an Internet consumer banking marketplace. RateEmpire.com is a destination site of personal finance, investing, taxes and mortgage rates. RateEmpire.com provides mortgage guides and financial rates and information. RateEmpire.com also operates a financial portal #1 American Financial, found at http://www.1AmericanFinancial.com Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles

© The article above is copyrighted by it's author. You're allowed to distribute this work according to the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs license.
 

Recent articles in this category:



Most viewed articles in this category: