A few years ago, getting a boat loan was quite easy, but is a difficult to qualify for a boat loan now. It's not impossible, however. Here are a few tips to improve your chance to qualify.
1. Run your credit, with all three agencies. As Equifax, Experian, and Transunion may all come up with different results. You want to check to make sure that all the information is correct and that you opened every account that appears. If you find one that you didn't open, you will need to submit forms to all three to dispute the creation of the accounts or the charges.
2. Focus on your FICO score, which is the measurement of your financial stability and your ability to repay the loan. You can improve your score by paying down debt, having accounts with zero balances, and always paying your bills on time.
3. Increase the amount that you put down on the loan. By showing that the bank will not be the only one who will commit financially to the loan, you are able to show them that you are more likely to repay it. 20% or more is best.
4. Banks take more than just credit score and income into the criteria they use to assess risk. Previous boat loan experience is a positive, or at least comparable borrowing experience. They will also look into your employment history, previous payment history, and cash reserves.
5. Gather your financial documents. In order to qualify for a loan, a lender will want to verify that you have the means to both pay back the loan and take care of the boat, including maintenance, insurance, dockage, and fuel, while you own it. In order to prove your financial status, you will need to provide the lender with two years of tax returns, current year to date income, and a balance sheet of current investments, cash, stocks, annuities, IRA's, 401k's, etc. Also, remember that many lenders will require you to insure the boat until you have paid off the loan, even if your state does not require insurance.
6. Know the ratios banks use to pre-qualify individuals. All monthly operating expenses and all debt payments (including mortgage and car payments) should not exceed your 40% of your household's monthly income.
7. Choose the right representative. A yacht loan broker is an independent advocate that can connect you with every bank that provides boat loans (not all do), the criteria you should use when choosing your broker should be if they have a long standing, strong relationship with the banks. - 30462
1. Run your credit, with all three agencies. As Equifax, Experian, and Transunion may all come up with different results. You want to check to make sure that all the information is correct and that you opened every account that appears. If you find one that you didn't open, you will need to submit forms to all three to dispute the creation of the accounts or the charges.
2. Focus on your FICO score, which is the measurement of your financial stability and your ability to repay the loan. You can improve your score by paying down debt, having accounts with zero balances, and always paying your bills on time.
3. Increase the amount that you put down on the loan. By showing that the bank will not be the only one who will commit financially to the loan, you are able to show them that you are more likely to repay it. 20% or more is best.
4. Banks take more than just credit score and income into the criteria they use to assess risk. Previous boat loan experience is a positive, or at least comparable borrowing experience. They will also look into your employment history, previous payment history, and cash reserves.
5. Gather your financial documents. In order to qualify for a loan, a lender will want to verify that you have the means to both pay back the loan and take care of the boat, including maintenance, insurance, dockage, and fuel, while you own it. In order to prove your financial status, you will need to provide the lender with two years of tax returns, current year to date income, and a balance sheet of current investments, cash, stocks, annuities, IRA's, 401k's, etc. Also, remember that many lenders will require you to insure the boat until you have paid off the loan, even if your state does not require insurance.
6. Know the ratios banks use to pre-qualify individuals. All monthly operating expenses and all debt payments (including mortgage and car payments) should not exceed your 40% of your household's monthly income.
7. Choose the right representative. A yacht loan broker is an independent advocate that can connect you with every bank that provides boat loans (not all do), the criteria you should use when choosing your broker should be if they have a long standing, strong relationship with the banks. - 30462
About the Author:
Now is a tremendous time to buy a boat. There are ample opportunities to purchase boats at that represent an tremendous value, or may have been previously unaffordable. Take the time to prepare in advance, get "pre-qualified" for a boat loan so you know that financing will not affect your negotiations or timetable to purchase.
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