Thursday, March 15, 2012

Tips to Consolidate Debts

Borrowers who are looking into debt consolidation usually have high-interest debts and pay a lot of money in interest charges. Consolidating multiple debts helps borrowers avoid interest rate hikes and late payments, making payments more reasonable.

The first step to consolidating multiple debts is to list all loans on paper. Include cashback credit cards, rewards credit cards, standard credit cards, car loans, mortgages, and other personal debts. Then write down the monthly payment amount, interest rate, and outstanding balance for each debt. This will help you decide which debts to consolidate.

There are two ways to go about consolidation – one is to refinance your mortgage, and the other is to take out a second mortgage. If you choose the first option, make sure you find a reputable company that offers debt consolidation loans with reasonable interest rates. Refinancing your mortgage is a second option, but you have to consider how much home equity will be left.

If you have multiple high-interest department store and other credit cards, you can transfer the balances to a low-interest card. You may apply for a credit card with a low introductory interest rate and make a balance transfer.

Before you try to consolidate, however, it is important to check your credit score. If your credit score is poor, you may not qualify for a debt consolidation loan with a reasonable interest rate. Be honest and think of whether you will be able to repay the new loan. The majority of borrowers who opt for a home equity loan or another type of debt instrument end up with a higher or the same debt load within 2 years.

What types of debt to include in a debt consolidation loan? This depends on interest rates, but you can include credit cards, unsecured auto loans, and other types of unsecured debt. In most cases, you will be offered a secured loan meaning that the loan will be secured against some valuable asset.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Bad Credit Personal Loans Facts

Even persons with poor credit history have a chance to qualify for a personal loan today. Financial establishments recognize that such borrowers exist and are willing to extend financing to persons with average credit. Poor credit does not mean that the borrower will not be able to pay off the loan. The most important thing to consider when applying for a bad credit personal loan is the actual purpose of the money. Will the money go toward something that can wait? Is it that urgent? If your aim is to pay another loan back with this one, you will only be digging yourself in deeper, and the institution of your choice will either realize this and turn you down, or, in the case of sub-prime lenders, hit you with the interest. In any case, you are not in the best of positions. So, you need a reasonable, legitimate, and clear reason why you apply for the loan, which will determine the outcome of the application process.

When applying for a bad credit personal loan in Canada, you will be required to provide a credit application, credit report, proof of earnings, and a list of your assets and liabilities bearing a notary seal.

As a first step, you have to find a lender who is likely to approve your application. You need to sift through a long list of lenders, who are willing to provide personal loans to people with a poor credit rating. The first place to try your luck is your local bank or a financial institution where you hold one or more accounts. If your bank of choice turns you down, it is time to look at Internet offers. It pays to be careful, however. Some non-traditional financial institutions offering their services online feature good deals, and others don't. It is not always easy to tell the difference between scams and good offers at first.

Now we return to the reason you need a loan. Most people who apply for bad credit personal loans need the money to cover short-term expenses, such as home improvements and vacations. These are not legitimate reasons to apply for a bad credit personal loan unless you need to pay emergency medical expenses or urgent home repairs. If you need money to buy a car or a house, it is a good idea to first rebuild your credit and then apply for a loan with better terms. Again, covering debt with a new loan is not a wise decision.

Be very cautious when you begin to compare the terms and conditions of various bad credit personal loans examine twice. Do not only consider interest rates and repayment terms. You should also watch for excessive loan closing costs, hidden fees, and other elements. You will end up paying more than you borrowed in any event; so, be sure to consider the pros and cons.