Installment loans are loans that are repaid over a period of time with regular payments. The borrower obtains a lump sum of money and repays it over a predetermined time period. Each payment includes principal and interest, and the amount of the payment is typically fixed for the life of the loan. When should a borrower consider obtaining a loan of this type? When will doing so be in his or her best interests?
The underlying question that you should ask yourself is: are Installment loans the right fit for your needs?
Mortgage
A home is the largest purchase most individuals will make in their lifetime. Very few people have the cash on hand to purchase a home outright and must obtain funding to do so. A mortgage is a type of installment loan, one that is backed by the residence. The interest rate for a home mortgage depends in part on the credit score of the borrower. Visit KingofKash.com to learn more about the benefits of taking out an installment loan to purchase a home or many other items.
Home Improvements
Remodeling the home can be costly depending on the project selected. For example, most kitchen remodeling projects will run in the tens of thousands of dollars. Fortunately, an installment loan allows the property owner to have this work done and pay for it over a period of time. This helps to ensure the project can be completed when it is needed as opposed to when the homeowner has the cash on hand to have it carried out.
Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation with the help of an installment loan is a wise move for many individuals. Obtaining one loan to pay off debt often results in a lower interest rate, an easier way to pay, and possibly an improved credit score. However, care must be taken to ensure the debtor is able to pay off the loan without taking on new financial obligations that can interfere with the payments. Furthermore, people need to take care when obtaining an installment loan to pay off debt, as a home equity loan that is not repaid as agreed could lead to the loss of one’s home, for example.
Vehicles
New cars aren’t cheap. Even when a person chooses to buy a used vehicle, he or she will likely need to obtain a loan to do so. An installment loan is the preferred method when purchasing a car, as the buyer knows how much the monthly payment will be and when the car will be paid in full. Keep in mind the larger the down payment the less the monthly payment will be.
College
A person may take out a student loan to finance his or her education. This is a type of installment loan that often has the payments deferred until the student graduates or chooses to leave school. It’s an option that should be considered to ensure students are able to obtain the schooling they need to succeed in their chosen field in the future.
Individuals and businesses lacking the funds to obtain a big ticket item often benefit from an installment loan. This funding option offers a convenient way to purchase a home, car, education, or other expensive item. The way the loan is set up provides the lender with assurance the funds will be repaid, and interest obligations accrue. When payments aren’t made as agreed, the interest continues to increase, however, leaving the borrower with a larger amount to repay. Keep this in mind when determining if an installment loan is the right option for you.