Monday, October 12, 2009

Selecting a Debt Consolidation Loan

By Layla Vanderbilt

In order to get the lowest interest rates on debt consolidation loans, we first need to look at what terms and rates exist. The companies that lend money have to compete with each other, so they have to offer low rates. Finding a loan with a rate that is even just a quarter percent lower saves you a significant amount of cash. Also, the kind of loan you pick may have major financial considerations.

Unsecured loans, such as personal loans, have no collateral, so interest rates are higher. You can expect to pay a couple of percentage points higher than prime, depending on your credit score. You will also require to have a steady source of income.

You have six options for a debt consolidation loan ? secured or unsecured. Secured loans are backed by property you own, typically your home. You can select to refinance your mortgage to pull out your equity to pay off your bills. You can also use a home equity line of credit to consolidate your debt. With both types of loans, the interest is tax deductible.

Finding Lenders: When you pick the type of debt consolidation loan you require, consider all the financial factors. A secured debt will involve fees. You may also find that interest rates are higher than when you first received your mortgage. However, you require to remember their tax advantage. For sizable debts, a secure loan usually is the best choice with a longer period to recoup the cost of fees. Unsecured loans are ideal for those who don?t have property or have smaller debts.

Where to go to find that loan? Whether you decide on a secured loan or an unsecured loan, the way to go about finding someone to give you the money works the same way. First, call up several companies and ask them how much their rates are for debt consolidation loans. It isn?t always the well known places that offer the best rates, sometimes a less known lender can give you the best rates. The Internet offers a great source of information on lenders that may offer these types of loans. to start by requesting quotes and terms from several lenders. You may be surprised to find a lesser known lender offers far better rates than national financing companies. Also, use the internet to speed the process by requesting information online.

Information on any applicable fees as well as any upfront and early payments should also be included. With all these costs in mind, you establish the true value of the loan. By now, you should be having a shortlist of the best lenders. Try to find out from your list if there are any discounts or customer service offered. Some lenders offer discounts for first time customers or those applying online. Since you know all the facts about the different lenders choose the one that you feel comfortable dealing with. - 30462

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