Youre Our First Priorityevery Time
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesnt feature every company or financial product available on the market, were proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about , but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services.Here is a list of our partners.
Exhaust All Other Options Before Taking On A Loan
As you know, there are three sources of financial aid for students: free money that comes from the institution itself in the form of scholarships or grants, public loans, and loans from private companies. Generally speaking, its a good idea to prioritize your financial aid and pursue aid in that order, with private loans last. There are multiple reasons for this, but the primary logic is that, in most cases, private loans have the highest interest rates.
Does It Make Sense For Me To Have More Than One Personal Loan
Well, it depends on whether you really need the thing you want to purchase or finance with your borrowed money. The only way it would make sense to get a second personal loan is if it places you in a position which grants you better opportunities to escape your debt cycle.
Lets say for instance you need a reliable mode of transport to get you to work, or you want to capitalize on an opportunity that helps you grow your ability to earn more income. Then it would make sense to get a second loan. And it would also make more sense if you got the best and cheapest loan available. Shop around to find the loan that offers you the best service as well as the lowest interest rate.
Recommended Reading: How To Figure Out Loan Amount
How To Trade In Your Car When You Owe Money On It
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list ofour partnersandheres how we make money.
Yes, you can trade in a car with a loan. But proceed with caution and make sure you not the dealer control the transaction.
If youre trading in a car you still owe money on, youre looking at one of these two situations:
-
You have positive equity. If your car is worth more than the amount you owe on your loan, youre in good shape. This difference is called positive equity and its like having money that you can apply toward the purchase of a new car.
-
You have negative equity. If your car is worth less than what you still owe, you have a negative equity car also known as being upside-down or underwater on your car loan. When trading in a car with negative equity, youll have to pay the difference between the loan balance and the trade-in value. You can pay it with cash, another loan or and this isnt recommended rolling what you owe into a new car loan.
Well show you how to handle each of these situations. But first, a little background.
Read Also: How Much Can We Borrow Home Loan
Is A Joint Loan Necessary
You may not need to apply jointly if one borrower can qualify individually. Both of you can pitch in on payments even if only one person officially gets the loan. You still might be able to put everybodys name on a deed of ownership, even if only one of the owners applies for a loan.
Some lenders object to non-borrowers contributing to the down payment. But a bigger down payment can save money in several ways:
- You borrow less, and you pay less in interest on a smaller loan balance.
- You have a better loan-to-value ratio and can qualify for a better interest rate.
- You might be able to avoid paying private mortgage insurance .
If you want to take advantage of the benefits of a bigger down payment, it might be worthwhile to add a joint borrower.
For substantial loans, it may be impossible for an individual to get approved without other borrowers. Home loans, for example, can require payments so large that one persons income will not satisfy the lenders desired debt-to-income ratios. If your own income is insufficient to qualify, a joint borrower may be necessary.
Recommended Reading: Can I Refinance My Sofi Personal Loan
The Impact Of Multiple Credit Inquiries
In previous years, having multiple mortgage applications meant multiple credit inquiries. Credit inquiries occur when a lender pulls your credit.
For most people, a mortgage credit inquiry is known as a hard pull against your credit. Hard inquiries negatively impact your credit score by three to five points.
Multiple inquiries would be potentially harmful to homeowners due to the impact on credit scores. This kept consumers from shopping around to more than one lender.
Today, you can apply with as many lenders as youd like over a 2-week period. All those inquiries only count as one.
This rule went into effect so that consumers could perform due diligence when making major purchases, thus insuring they were getting a good deal.
Reasons To Wait Before Borrowing Again
Recommended Reading: When To Take Home Equity Loan
Will I Qualify For An Unsecured Loan
Lender requirements for personal loans vary, but all financial institutions will evaluate several financial factors such as your income and credit score when reviewing your application. With some lenders raising their requirements, here are some factors you should evaluate to ensure that you qualify for an unsecured loan.
How To Get Out Of An Upside Down Car Loan
The only real way to fix the problem of being upside down is by paying down the excess debt. Youll have to go through a few steps and make some sacrifices to manage the loan or raise the cash, but the process is worth your time. You can get out from under a payment you can no longer afford.
1. Refinance if PossibleOften times you will be unable to refinance a car loan when you are underwater but it will depend on the lender. Occasionally a lender will allow you to refinance depending on your loan-to-value ratio. Refinancing isnt going to reduce the amount you owe on the car but it will lower your rate, helping you pay more toward the principal balance.
Before looking into other options, check and see if refinancing would be an option for you. Before you get started, make sure you understand your credit score. You can check it for free through . The higher your credit score, the better your loan rates will be. Next, look into myAutoloan.com. They will give you up to four auto loan refinance quotes in just minutes.
2. Move the Excess Car Debt to a Credit LineAlthough many people would rail against using credit cards, moving the debt to a credit line might be the best option. If youre having trouble with a $600 monthly payment, moving to a more manageable rate on a $5,000 line can save you cash and buy you some time.
Recommended Reading: Where To Refinance Auto Loan
You May Like: What Is Certificate Of Eligibility Va Home Loan
Compare Multiple Loan Offers
If youre planning to get a personal loan, research and explore multiple offers before settling down for one. By doing so you have a great chance to find the lowest APR available for the personal loan. While comparing, take into consideration the APR and not only the interest rates. You can compare multiple offers here without hurting your credit score.
How Much Do I Need
The first step in choosing a personal loan is knowing how much you need. The smallest personal loan sizes begin at around $500, but most lenders offer a minimum of $1,000 to $2,000. If you need less than $500, it might be easier to save up extra cash in advance, or borrow the money from a friend or family member if you’re in a pinch.
Also Check: What Are Assets For Home Loan
You May Be Able To Take Out Multiple Personal Loans At Once
The good news for would-be borrowers who want to take out more than one personal loan at the same time is that there is no rule that says you can’t do this.
Theoretically, you could even take out multiple loans from the same lender. However, be aware that different lenders have different restrictions — some forbid it entirely, while others impose other requirements. These can include a waiting period or a mandate that you’ve made a certain number of on-time payments on your first loan before getting your second one.
You could also opt to take out personal loans from a few different lenders at one time. But bear in mind that you would need to be able to qualify for each personal loan based on your individual financial situation. It doesn’t matter whether you apply for multiple loans from the same lender or from a few different lenders, you still need to meet their requirements.
When you already have one or more personal loans, this debt will show up on your credit report if you apply for another loan. The new lender you’re applying with will want to make sure your debt relative to your income isn’t too high. If it is, you could be turned down. Monthly payments from both your existing personal loan and the new one you’re applying for will be factored in when the lender determines affordability.
If you’ve applied for lots of loans and it seems you’re getting in over your head with debt, you’re also unlikely to be able to qualify for the new loan you’re trying to take out.
How Your Credit Score Affects The Cost Of An Auto Loan
Auto loans are secured: your vehicle serves as collateral for the loan. If you default, the lender can repossess the car. That makes your loan less risky than an unsecured loan would be, so interest rates are lower than they are for most unsecured loans.
Your credit score has a huge impact on the interest rate youre offered and on the cost of your loan. In the table below you can see the average interest rates for both new and used cars by credit score to see just how much of an effect it has.
Recommended Reading: Can You Get An Fha Loan With No Money Down
Relocating Is An Exception For More Than One Fha Loan
The FHA generally allows exceptions for borrowers that must relocate due to their job. If your new position and location is not within a reasonable distance for commuting, you may secure a second FHA loan. Just what is reasonable? Thats up for debate. The FHA does not publish a specific distance for this purpose.
One thing the FHA does specify, however, is that you not only must relocate, but must also establish residency outside of the reasonable commuting distance. Again, no specific distance is on record. One important thing to note, however, is the relocation doesnt have to be employer mandated. It could be a choice you make of your own free will.
I Dont Have A Va Loan
It is important to note that these calculations are only needed when you have one VA loan and want to get a second one without paying off the first loan. If you do not already have a VA loan, there is no down payment requirement, regardless of the purchase price of the house you want to buy.
Although this may seem complicated, thats where we come in. We are VA loan experts and we can figure everything out for you. Contact us today to see how easy it is to get a VA loan, or a second VA loan if you already have one.
Read Also: Can You Get An Fha Loan To Buy Land
I Already Have A Va Loan
If you already have a VA loan and you want to buy a new house and keep the one you currently have, thats fine with VA. However, there is a limit to how big a loan you can get with a second VA loan.
In the Denver Metro area, the maximum amount for a second VA loan is calculated like this:
Start with the conforming loan county limit. Every year, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac establish a limit for the largest loan they will buy from a lender. Anything over that limit is considered a jumbo loan and has different underwriting guidelines . For 2020, the maximum conforming loan limit is $575,000 for Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties. This is known as your VA entitlement.
From that loan limit, subtract the amount of the existing VA loan that you have.
Can You Have More Than One Unsecured Loan
You can have more than one personal loan with some lenders or you can have multiple personal loans across different lenders. Youre generally more likely to be blocked from getting multiple loans by the lender than the law. Lenders may limit the number of loans or total amount of money theyll give you.
Recommended Reading: What Do You Need For Va Loan
Home Equity Loan Or Line Of Credit
A home equity loan or home equity line of credit lets you borrow against the equity built up in your home. You usually need at least 15% to 20% equity to qualify for either of these products.
When you take out a home equity loan, youll receive a lump sum that you can use to pay off debt, complete a home remodel or take a vacation. A HELOC is a line of credit that allows you to draw up to a certain amount. You can repay that amount and then draw from the HELOC again.
Interest rates are often lower compared to personal loans because the lender can use the house as collateral. If you default on the loan, they can repossess your home. This is also what makes both home equity loans and HELOCs riskier than a personal loan. If you default on a personal loan, the bank cant come after your home, since most are unsecured.
You Could Fall Deeper Into Debt
If youre planning to use a personal loan to pay off other debt, the loan itself may be more of a problem than a solution.
You can easily fall into a vicious debt cycle because you are continuously borrowing. That can lead to increased debt, accruing interest and fees, and possibly default if youre too far deep. If youre struggling with debt, its time to examine your finances and create a plan to pay off your debt once and for all, says Pritchard.
A good place to start is by comparing your monthly income and expenses and seeing if there are any changes you could make that would put you in a better financial situation.
Recommended Reading: How To Apply For Student Loan Forbearance
Creating An Emergency Fund
A recent survey by Bankrate found that nearly four out of 10 Americans would have to borrow money to pay an unexpected bill.3 This lack of savings and the high cost of borrowing money is why many financial experts say that creating an emergency fund should be a top priority.
Its generally advised that you set aside three to six months worth of living expenses in emergency savings although you might need more. You can gradually build an emergency fund over time. For example, putting $75 from a weekly paycheck into a savings account youll save a total $7,800 in two years and that doesnt include any interest you may earn. Or, reach your goal faster by depositing tax refunds, pay raises or a bonus into emergency savings.
Keep this money in an easily accessible, interest-bearing savings account. Find financial institutions offering the highest rates on deposits often online banks at Bankrate.com and DepositAccounts.com.
