Is it actually worth it obtaining a loan during the credit crunch?

By Lisa Summerset


Making a decision to have a loan is a big decision anytime. This is a hard decision especially during an economic crisis allied to the credit crunch we are now experiencing.

Offers for personal loans from banks and credit card services are usually filling up your mail. Ads on Tv and newspaper want to persuade you that there's money for your dream holiday break or for debt consolidation loan. The effects of not being able to continue the instalments may be cruel and you should think carefully before you apply for any type of loan.

Look first at your income levels. Do you find yourself self-confident that they'll remain the same or, maybe, increase. Is your career, or that of your partner, safe and secure for the expected coming future? Take time to calculate a family budget to see where your entire cash goes to on a monthly or weekly period and how much left over you have to make the loan instalments. Make sure that you have some buffer if your earnings decrease a little caused by, for instance, bonus payments not being made, overtime reducing or working hours being cut.

Consolidate your debt
After detailed preview of your budget and awareness, you believe that you may afford a loan for that holiday, automobile and new bedroom, or just to eliminate other expensive and short term borrowing such as on credit cards. Where to start now?
Do plenty of investigation on who's offering loans and on what terms and conditions. Lower amounts, no more than 5,000, could be on an unguaranteed basis. It is, the lender isn't going to ask for any additional safety such as a second mortgage on your apartment. Loans up from this amount and for a general purpose such as holidays or debt consolidation may look for some form of 2nd mortgage as safety.

Make sure you have spare equity in your house so have a current value and a statement of your current mortgage outstanding to back up your application. You could be offered credit at the point of sale if you're getting a a motor vehicle or caravan or other big item by the seller or shop. Make sure to analyse the rates and terms and conditions so that you can look at the total amount repayable over the loan with a loan from your bank or other providers. Regretfully it's not always the most cost effective although it might be a convenient and effective way of getting a loan.

Hopefully, you've got a good credit ranking because of this can support you greatly with your application for a loan. If you've missed instalments on previous loans or have County Court Judgements going up against you, take it easy but expect to pay a more expensive rate and put down a more expensive deposit.

Lastly, you and your partner/spouse, may be asked to initiate the loan contract together. You should realize that you'll be jointly liable for any debts even in case your spouse is the 1 who makes the monthly payments and you need to know what is going to be your dues before you start.

At times of a credit crunch, purchasing a loan is not easy. Lenders with a steady stable income are looking for good credit risks. If they have some kind of security or guarantor to make them feel comfortable, they may get their money back if you fail to repay. Buying a loan during a credit crunch is straightforward if you meet these criteria, but if not, be ready for more of a challenge .




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