Apr 19
Most people will need to borrow money at some point in their lives. As households are being put under more and more pressure it is unsurprising that the loan industry is booming. How do loans work? Lenders agree to lend you a sum of money that you agree to pay back plus interest, using regular payments over a set period of time. People take out loans for a number of reasons. Loans help people purchase things that they wouldn’t be able to do otherwise. It could be something substantial like a loan for a property or a vehicle. It could also be that you need some financial aid for your business, whether you are just starting up or you are already established but looking to expand. Some people also take out smaller loans like payday loans, just to help them pay for urgent expenses before their pay checks come through. Essentially, you can take out a loan to spend on pretty much anything.
There are a huge range of loans available on the UK market. Deciding on the right loan can be a stressful process but there are loans that suit a range of budgets. The most important aspect to remember is that you make sure the loan you take is within the range of your resources. Most people, if they need a loan, will start with their banks as they have already built a relationship up with them. They are a good place to start in terms of seeing what their rates and overall loan costs are. Unfortunately though banks are very strict on who they lend to, especially considering the current economic climate. As such, the online loan industry is becoming increasingly popular. Gone are the days of waiting months to find out whether you have been approved and lengthy application processes. With most loans you can apply online and have the money you need as soon as possible.
Apr 19
The interest rate is the percentage of the loan that you are charged for borrowing the money and is how lenders make their profit. The Annual Percentage Rate or APR is the best rate to look at when comparing lenders. There are many aspects that affect the interest rate on a loan. Firstly the length or term of the loan will be a major factor. The longer it takes you to pay back the loan, the more you will pay in interest. In part, the interest rate will also depend on your credit history and you may find that where you live can affect this rate too. Interest rates and the term of the loan vary widely so it is in your interest to do plenty of research prior to applying. The features of loans differ from lender to lender so you should never accept the first loan you are offered. You could make big savings by borrowing elsewhere.
Always make sure you understand the small print on any loan before you sign reading the terms and conditions fully. If you have any questions do not be afraid to ask them. You should watch out for any hidden administration or arrangement fees to set up the loans. Also make sure you know what happens if you miss payments because late payments could result in a charge. In some cases it could even cost you to pay back the loan early. The best way to look at all the pros and cons of different loans is to compare them against each other on comparison sites such as Which Way To Pay. On sites like these you can view all the main features and interest rates of different loans in easy to use and comprehensive comparison tables.
Apr 19
Your credit history informs lenders about your money habits and a credit score is designed to give them an idea of what risk is involved by lending money to you. A credit report can be easily damaged by missing bills for loans and credit cards. A bad credit report is likely to stand between you and the loan you want and it is often the case that individuals with poor credit ratings are unable to get the loan they want through traditional banks. However, there are many loans now on the market that specialise in working with people with bad, little or no credit. You will find with bad credit loans that the interest rate is likely to be much higher because you are considered to be more a risk.
The interest rate you are given on a loan is mostly influenced by your credit rating. Generally speaking if you are seen as high-risk you will be given higher interest rates. Before applying for a loan you might want to consider getting a copy of your credit report and making sure there are no errors or wrong information on it that could lower your credit score. You can do this through a credit reference agency. You shouldn’t make too many loan applications because getting rejected for a loan can have a negative effect on your credit rating which can in turn affect your future chances of borrowing.
Apr 19
Payday loans seemed to be talked about a lot at the moment. Payday loans are unsecured short term loans designed to tie you over until your next payday. You can usually borrow somewhere between £100 – £1000. The attraction of these loans is that they are fast, with the money in your account in as little as one hour. They are also relatively easy to contain as in most cases a credit check is not necessary. As they are unsecured loans, no collateral is required so there is less risk involved for the borrower. However, there is more risk for the lender and as a result the interest rates on these loans are very high and if you do not pay back what you owe on time, your debts can easily spiral out of control.
These loans should be treated with caution. You face fees and penalties that dramatically increase the cost of your loan if you fail to meet the terms of the loan agreement. These loans should only be used in an emergency, for things like urgent car or home repairs or paying off an electricity bill before your power gets turned off. Payday loans should never be used to solve long term budgeting or financial problems and you should only borrow the amount of money you can afford to borrow and be sure that you can pay it off when it is due.
Apr 19
A car or any vehicle can be an expensive purchase. After property buying a vehicle is probably the most expensive purchase you will ever make. Many people across the UK who need some financial assistance in taking home the car that they want will consider a car loan. Car loans can work out cheaper overall than other car financing options and the main attraction is that you can take possession of the car straightaway. Some car loan lenders also offer some great incentives with their loans such as breakdown cover, insurance cover or offers on car accessories.
Car financing is still possible with bad credit. There are lenders who are focused on offering finance to customers who have struggled to get approval elsewhere. If you have a bad credit history you may be able to find a lender that will lend to you regardless of your current credit situation. However, the exact amount you can borrow may depend on your credit report and you will find the interest rates will be much higher.
Before taking out a loan you should work out how much of the car payment you can afford to pay each month. Not only should you know what the monthly payments are but also work out exactly what the maximum amount is you can spend on the car. Remember to always plan the interest costs into your budget. Once you know what you can afford, you should utilise the car payment calculators that many online lenders provide on their sites. When thinking about a car loan you should think about whether you want to buy a specific make and model of a car and if you need to pay for repairs because you can find a loan specific to the vehicle you want. The amount that lenders will give you will depend on a number of factors, including the type of car you want to finance, whether there is a deposit, your regular income and your ability to make payments.
You may find that used cars will have higher interest rates than new cars. More often than not the newer the car, the lower the interest rate. Some financing is also not available to some used cars. Your financial circumstances will determine which type of loan is most suited to you. For example if you are a home owner this could be used to secure a car loan. If you do not have anything to secure your car loan against, a good credit history is important. Also whether or not you need to borrow the full amount of the price of the car or whether you already have money you can contribute to the cost.
You should look for a loan that gives you the option of a payment plan that not only suits your vehicle purchase but also your needs and situation. You should be realistic and only take out a loan that is within your means. You do not want to risk having your car repossessed. Some may argue that car loans are a popular alternative to the financial aid offered by car dealerships thanks to better interest rate and loan terms. However, this is not always the case so it is really important to do your research thoroughly.
While the application process is minimal you should be aware that you will be required to provide a driving licence and identification when you apply. Age restrictions will also apply and in many cases you must have a UK bank account. There are specialist lenders available to customers in the UK that can offer you competitive rates and terms for financing your vehicle but it is really important that you compare lenders weighing up all the different features, packages and payment options. You should watch out for lenders that require a deposit and charge admin fees.