Personal Loans: Is This the Right Loan for Me?
Finding the right loan for your needs and financial circumstances can be challenging. You might have considered personal loans, but you aren’t certain whether this form of financing is the right one for you or not. If you’re clueless, we’re here to shed some light on the topic.
Personal Loans – Unsecured Form of Debt
First and foremost, personal loans are general purpose loans. This means you can use them for numerous purposes such as paying for a home improvement project, renovating the house, consolidating debt, and the list may go on. In comparison with credit cards, personal loans could be more difficult to get. That is due to the qualification requirements that tend to be stricter.
Moving on, personal loans with online approval are usually unsecured (definition here) like payday loans. This means you don’t have to use an asset as collateral. Therefore, in the case in which you default on the loan, the lender won’t have the option of seizing the asset. As a result, getting approved for a personal loan could be a bit challenging – specifically if your credit history isn’t the best.
At the same time, even if we’re talking about an unsecured form of debt, this doesn’t mean that the lender can’t do anything if you default on the loan. In truth, it can take collection actions – such as reporting late payments to credit bureaus, or hiring a collection agency, and lastly filing a lawsuit against you.
You Can Borrow a Fixed Amount of Money
Another thing you should note about online personal loans is that you can borrow a fixed amount of money. The amount you can borrow usually ranges from $1,000 to $50,000.
The aspects that matter most are your income, your outstanding debt, as well as your credit rating – of course. That is to say, the higher the credit rating, the higher the sum you can borrow. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that some lenders have a cap concerning the amount of money they lend.
Moving on, in comparison to credit cards, personal loans are one-time loans. In other words, you don’t have the option of borrowing from the loan, as you would in the case of a revolving credit card balance. By making payments, you’ll evidently reduce the balance. After paying off the loan, your account will be closed. In the case in which you plan on borrowing again, you need to reapply.
The Interest Rates Are Fixed
Furthermore, personal loans come with fixed interest rates. Hence, you don’t have to worry that it will change throughout the lifespan of the loan. This is a good thing, as it allows you to budget your finances accordingly. As for the interest rate you get, it is dependent on your credit score – the higher the credit score, the more favorable the interest rate will be. It’s as simple as that.
Final Thoughts
We hope that our article on personal loans answered most of your questions. Bear in mind that applying for a personal loan affects your credit – so take the time to analyze the pros and cons of this decision, by considering your financial circumstances. Use our personal loan calculator and find a suitable loan.