Auto Loans : Top 5 Tips For The Best Rate

You've got your eye on that shiny new Lexus - okay, maybe it's a Kia, but it's perfect and you want it to be yours, all yours - as soon as possible. At the same time, you certainly don't want to be saddled with paying nearly double the car's value by the time you finish paying off the car loan. Here are five tips to help you get the best possible interest rate on an auto loan to put the car of your dreams in your driveway.<br><br>1. Check your credit rating.
   If you don't already know what's in your credit report, this is a good time to find out. Before you apply for an auto loan, get a copy of your credit report to find out what surprises may be lurking in it. You may just find out that it contains erroneous information that should be corrected, or that there's something negative on it that can be either explained away or fixed easily with a couple of phone calls or letters. Either way, it always helps to know what the credit reporting agencies are saying about you before you start shopping around for a loan.<br><br>2. If you have good to excellent credit...
   ...then you may qualify for special incentive financing available through the car dealer. If the car dealer is offering a low, low finance rate, check all the terms and conditions carefully BEFOREHAND online to make sure that you qualify. Most often, that 1% financing rate is reserved for those who have excellent credit and can afford to do a 12 month financing plan. If that's you - then grab the deal. 1-2% financing is a bargain if you can handle the other terms and conditions attached.<br><br>3. If you need a longer term than 12 months or have spotty credit...
   ...arrange your financing yourself before setting foot on the car lot. Check with your usual bank for a new auto loan first, as they may have better interest rates for those who are already established customers, or who carry all their savings, checkings and loan accounts through one bank. It may save you a few percentage points in interest to do business with someone who already knows you.<br><br>4. Shop online for the best auto loan available.
   At many online credit web sites, you can submit a request for multiple quotes from area finance agencies and lending firms. Simply submit your request for an auto loan quote through an online form, and the web site will submit it to up to four financing firms at once. A representative from each agency will contact you within a few hours to a day or two to discuss your request with you and give you a quote for an interest rate and monthly payment amount that they can offer you. Online shopping for credit makes it easy to compare and pick the best auto loan terms for you.<br><br>5. If your credit is bad but you need that car...
   ...one of your best and most often overlooked options is to find someone to cosign the loan for you. In most cases, when you have a cosigner, you'll get the interest rate that THEY qualify for, which means a lower monthly payment for you.

Read More

What Loan Options Are Available To Those With Bad Credit?

When it comes time to look around for the money you need to buy that thing you want, whether it is a car, a vacation, electronics, or whatever, you do not need to restrict yourself just because of bad credit. The truth is, nowadays, that loans are just about as available for people with good credit as for people with bad credit. Here are some of the various types of loans that you can get - even if you have bad credit.


It may be that one of the reasons that someone with bad credit can more easily get a loan these days is because most people will come back to a lender sometime and get another loan. This, of course, means more profit to the lender. Anyway, whatever the reason, if you have bad credit there are different kinds of loans that will help you when you need it. 


One of the most common and easy to get is called a cash advance, or payday loan. These loans are unsecured, and for this reason are often referred to as being signature loans. These loans are available for emergency cash - up to $1,000, and are electronically deposited into your checking account within 24 hours. Some will put the cash where you need it in much less time. A word of caution about these, though, is that the interest is very high - usually around 30%, and will need to be paid back within two weeks.


Another personal loan, which would be your best option, is a secured loan. Collateral will need to be given, such as a house or car. Bad credit is accepted, and having collateral will enable you to get better rates than if you offered none. Although a bad credit loan is secured, you still will get higher interest rates than someone who has better credit. So if you need the money now, you have access to it. 


You will want to remember that with any money that you borrow, that it does effect your credit rating. By making your payments on time each time, you slowly build your credit rating and work to bring it back to where it should be. Getting a loan with bad credit can help you, but you might want to think about trying to keep them small or you will be paying more interest than necessary. It might be more profitable to you if you wait a little longer until your credit is repaired with small loans and credit cards. 


Unsecured loans are personal loans that you can get which do not require any collateral. Having no collateral, though, and bad credit, will mean that you pay more in interest. You will also have smaller amounts that you can borrow, and shorter periods of time to pay the loan.


Bad credit should not stop you from getting the money you need. However, many lenders will charge higher interest than others will and it will be up to you to look around to get the best deal. You should get several online quotes to see which bad credit loan is best for you. In addition, be sure that there is not any early closure penalties that charge you for paying it off early. You can easily get a loan without this clause and it could allow you to save even more money.

Read More