Tag: Annual Percentage Rate
Ten Important Questions To Ask Your Mortgage Loan Broker
by admin on Jul.30, 2010, under Loans and Mortgages
When looking for a mortgage in todays market you are swapped with information, products and deals. This can make the whole process very daunting and confusing. For this reason it is good to be prepared with a set of questions to ask your mortgage broker, so that you do not get ripped off and you know where you stand.
1. What are different types of mortgages and in what way do they work?
There are a mass of different types of mortgage products on the market, so make sure that your broker explains the differences between the different types of mortgages and how they can benefit you. For example may lender these days offer fixed rates, discounts and cashback over a number of terms. Also make sure that you get an outline of the varying ways of paying the capital off. This at first might seem to be a complicated area, but once you have the basics explained everything will become a lot clearer and you will start to see how different products will suit your personal circumstances better than others.
2. What is the Annual Percentage Rate (APR)?
In accordance to regulations the APR is meant to appear in all adverts alongside the headline mortgage rate. The APR is used to provide customers with the true cost of loans and empower them to be able to compare different deals. Do remember that APR is unreliable and is no substitute for personal prepared quote that outlines all upfront and ongoing costs.
3. What is the interest rate that I will be charged?
In the cases of fixed, capped or discount rate then your broker should tell you what the initial rate you will paying and how long you will be on that rate for.
4. So what happens at the end of the fixed or discount rate period?
It is important to know what will happen when your fixed or discount rate period ends. Will you be switched on to the standard variable rate or will the lender offer you another discounted or fixed rate deal. Also remember remortgaging is a good option.
5. Standard Variable Rate What is that?
Because house prices are at a record high many people (probably including yourself) are now thinking of their mortgages in the long term as well as the upfront rate. For this reason it is worth knowing what current customers are paying. It is highly unlikely that when you come to the end of your fixed or discount rate period you will be on the same SVR as current customers. But you can use the information to see how the lender compares against others in the market.
6. What are the Early Redemption Charges or Early Repayment Charges attached to the product?
Most mortgage deals will involve some kind of repayment charge. So you will have to a fee to the lender if you repay your mortgage early or switch to another lender within a set time period. Make sure you find out precisely what you will have to pay and what would happen if you moved home during the mortgages term.
7. What will my monthly payments be at the quoted interest rate?
Your broker should tell you exactly what your monthly payments are going to be. They should also tell you what you would be paying at the SVR as to give you an indication of what you will be paying after your products term comes to an end. Get the broker to work out the payments on interest rates of up to 11% as well. This way if the interest rates rise substantially you will be able to see if you can afford the mortgage.
8. Are there any other conditions attached to the mortgage?
Different lenders will have different deals, incentives and clauses. Lenders will offer better discounts, fixed rates or cashbacks if you are prepared to take the lenders building and contents insurance. This is something that will be worth considering. Just make sure that you are informed about the terms and what would happen if you moved your insurance cover.
9. Are there any Higher Lending Charges?
With some lenders there may be a Higher Lending Charge (HLC) if you are borrowing more than a certain amount of the value of the property. Make sure you know what the charges are and how much the fees are. Some lenders will add HLC charge to the loan others will charge it upfront.
10. What are the arrangement or broker fees?
Your broker should tell you about every payment you will have to make to arrange your mortgage. This will give you an idea of the whole cost of the deal rather than just an upfront rate. This will also allow you to shop around and find the best deal.
So next time you are looking for a mortgage make sure you have these ten questions to hand.
Secured Bad Credit Loans are Becoming the Norm
by admin on Jul.09, 2010, under Loans and Credit
Secured bad credit loans used to be seen with some derision in times gone by. Today they are fast becoming more commonplace, and we should be glad. Here are seven timely reasons why we should all welcome it!
1. There is a great deal of money being provided these days and consumers are increasingly finding that credit references are being recorded every time. This should be taken as a favourable thing as it leads away from normal lending by the financial institutions and opens up a more varied lending pattern for everybody that embraces a greater market.
2. Banks are therefore not the be all and end all. Banks wish to retain as much guarantee of security as is possible, so they are able to pick and choose the customers they lend money secured bad credit loans to. But employing a ‘one size fits all approach is certainly not good news for the majority of people, because we are all different. Knowing that financial institutions can be this choosy means that consumers are able to go somewhere else. So in the long run the laws of the marketplace have provided us with a greater variety of sources when it comes to secured adverse or bad credit loans.
3. Secured loans are usually less expensive – sometimes much cheaper – than unsecured loans. This is because of the risk aspect. If a loan provider knows that the loan amount is tied into the borrowers property then he knows that the borrower has an extra commitment to keep a roof over his or her head. Therefore the cost of borrowing through a secured loan will tend to be that bit less for this reason. Simply, the Annual percentage rate figure for secured credit loans will be smaller. This can be seen clearly on any loan advertising material.
4. Longer repayment periods. Hand in hand with the fact that the loan amount will be less expensive, the repayment period for secured loans can normally be set longer and so the monthly payments will be somewhat reduced for that reason (although economies of shorter borrowing times should also be factored in).
5. Personal treatment. While the secured loan may need more procedures and will generally take longer, borrowers are likely to get a more personal approach than with an unsecured loan, where the application process is usually as anodyne and faceless as an application form. Most borrowers like to be treated like real people than just numbers or prospects.
6. The number of secured loans available. As well as conventional secured bad credit loans for most purposes, specific plans for varying types of loan have also grown up. Non-status loans, debt consolidation loans, and both personal and business advances now abound. Special arrangements can generally also exist if the property your loan is secured on is unusual. For example, brick and tile is the normal form of construction, but if your house is concrete based, or timber, or even has a slate roof, specific plans are there if you seek them out.
7. More circumstances are considered nowadays. Improvements in financial risk management assessment have meant that loans providers are prepared to consider secured bad credit loans where such a thing was not possible in the past. The self-employed, in particular, are not penalised as they used to be, especially with the new attitude towards self-certification. Three years of audited accounts are no longer automatically needed from those people who work for themselves. Defaulters, people with CCJs, IVAs and even discharged bankrupts are nowadays regularly considered in todays evolving world of finance. Increasingly, people take bigger financial risks, especially the entrepreneurial minded. The market is evolving to take account of bad credit loans, because it has to.
Re-establish Credit while Driving with Poor Credit Car Loan
by admin on Jul.02, 2010, under Loans and Credit
Do you have bad credit? And you think that your bad credit score is the biggest hurdle in getting a car loan. Dont worry we have got the way to overcome, such kind of thinking. This implies no matter what was your credit score whether good or bad, the person can still avail the loan.
Bad credit car loan is one such kind of loan, which does not consider your credit score. These bad credit loans make you feel the freedom in choosing your dream car. There are number of ways through which the person can avail the bad credit car loan. Mostly all traditional lenders such as banks, building societies and other financial companies offer such loan.
The person after availing the loan can buy a car through a broker or the dealer. This decision totally depends upon the borrower whether he chooses the broker or a dealer.
Today tremendous growth in the financial market helps you to buy car regardless to your credit history. It implies that the person is not required to keep himself away from his desire of buying a car. Rather he can also easily finance his car.
It is true that the lender will approve the loan though the person was previously bankrupt or has made arrears in payments. Like any other loan its approval depends on same four factors:
Ability to repay back
Employment proof
Residency proof
Value of car
Another two factors, which are the core of any type of loan, are the annual percentage rate and its repayment period. The annual percentage rate depends on the rate prevailing in the market and value of the asset placed as collateral. Basically, it is the sum of interest rate and the other costs involved. On the other side, the repayment period depends on the amount borrowed and the financial status of the borrower.
In order to save money and time, the person can apply the car loan online. Online method is regarded as a way of getting hassle free finance and that too instantly.
Like any other loans, bad credit car loan can also be availed with or without placing a security. If the person chooses to place a security against the amount, then this will enable him to get the loan approved quicker, than the person not willing to place a security. Despite of the quicker approval there is also a risk involved in secured bad credit car loan. This risk generally arises on the occasion if the person has any doubt regarding his repayments.
Make sure that you are aware of every aspect of the agreement of car loan before going into it.
No credit check personal loans when credit weighs heavy
by admin on May.29, 2010, under Loans and Credit
No credit check personal loans when credit weighs heavy on your shoulders
Credit problems can erupt at any time without any prompting. If you are searching for personal loans with bad credit, you will think that perhaps it might be difficult. To get through personal loans process easily with bad credit can be overwhelming for some people. For them no credit check personal loans are offered.
No credit check personal loans are a novel way to overcome credit problems. However, finding personal loans with no credit checks can be slightly difficult. With no credit check personal loans, borrowers must weigh their options. Personal loans with no credit checks are a way to get a loan even if you have bad credit. You wont be turned down due to bad credit. No credit check personal loans do not have high interest rates as are associated with bad credit.
Personal loans are the most searched keyword on the net. Consequently, there are hoards of alternatives and options to choose from. No credit check personal loans can be availed by banks or credit institutions. Once you start researching, you will come across many no credit check personal loans. Dont be in a hurry to sign no credit check personal loans. Take your time and look around carefully. Ask for free quotes. Compare the quotes and then decide which personal loan offer maximum benefits without credit checks. Dont forget to find out there policies and repayment terms before you make the decision.
No credit check personal loans are usually high interest rate than secured loans. This is because it is not dependent on your credit score and usually you do not place any collateral for the loan. While searching for no credit check personal loans, you should be taking a good look on the APR.
APR is the annual percentage rate. The total cost or finance charge for a loan per year, expressed as a percentage of the loan amount. It is the sum of the interest and any other fees, such as discount points, compared to the amount of the loan. While comparing no credit check personal loans, you would be required to concentrate on APR. It is a complex thing and you do not need to go to its details. All you need to know is that the no credit check personal loans with lower APR will cost lesser.
If you intend to borrow larger amounts on no credit check personal loans, then you would require to place a collateral. Usually personal loans with no credit check are accessible for any reason. Home improvement, debt consolidation, car purchase etc. The decision to take no credit check personal loans does not have any influence getting the loan approved. However, it has an influence on the loan term. Like a no credit check personal loan for home improvement or car purchase will have a loan term between 3-5 years. For other purposes loan term can extend to ten years or more. Do not take no credit check personal loans for a longer loan term. A longer loan term will cost you more in the long run.
In case you find difficulties in making repayments for no credit check personal loans, you must immediately contact your lender. If you are honest about your difficulties, it is possible that they will help. In fact they might even agree to take reduced payments till your condition improves.
No credit checks personal loans seem easy and hassle free. However, do not confuse easy. For no credit check personal loans are as liable towards deception. Read the fine print. There are many hidden costs with no credit check personal loans. No credit check personal loans usually necessitate a cosigner and exorbitant late fee. Ask questions, do not hesitate to clear any confusion. Take care before choosing your no credit check personal loan lender. Otherwise your no credit check personal loans will become a personal liability. Nevertheless, there will be a no credit check personal loan that satisfies all your financial specifications.
Is A Payday Loan Your Best Credit Option?
by admin on May.01, 2010, under Loans and Credit
Many people overspend from time to time or need a bit of extra cash to cover an unforeseen expense. There are a number of options for covering this type of financial emergency. The one that is right for you will depend on how much you need to borrow and your own financial circumstances. Here are some of the options.
Payday Loans
Payday loans are loans where borrowers get a small amount of money, usually less than 1,000. They have to pay this back by the next pay period. The lender charges a fee that equates to a high annual percentage rate. However, this can be a good option for a short term difficulty. Payday loans are quick and easy to obtain, even for people with a bad credit rating.
Secured Loans
Another option for people with a poor credit history is a secured loan. This is where people borrow a sum of money against the equity in their house. This is suitable for homeowners with a poor credit history who need a large amount of money. This might be a good option for someone who suddenly had to fund a wedding, for example. People can borrow up to 125% of the value of the equity in their house and repayment periods can be up to 30 years.
Unsecured Loans
Unsecured loans are normal loans from a bank or loan company. To qualify for these loans, of up to 25,000, people usually have to have a good credit rating. Repayment tends to take place over periods of up to 10 years. These loans can be difficult to get.
Credit Card Cheque
Many credit card companies allow customers to use their credit cards to withdraw cash by using special cheques. These can be useful for situations where credit cards are not acceptable. When paying for a new car, for example, using a credit card might increase the payment because of the fee charged by the seller.
People should be aware that some credit card cheques are charged at a higher rate of interest than regular spending on the credit card. If yours is one of these, it may not be the best option for getting short term credit. Remember to read the fine print and check the annual percentage rate.
Authorised Overdraft
This can be a cheap option for overcoming short term financial difficulty. If you are earning regularly and have a good relationship with your bank, you may be able to negotiate an overdraft. This will often be at a reasonable interest rate and will be repaid automatically the minute your salary goes in. Remember to stay within the limit, though, or you could find yourself paying huge bank charges.
Whichever option you decide on, it is essential to make repayments on time and in full. This will help keep your credit history in good shape and will make it easy for you to get more credit if you need it.
Looking For The Right Home Mortgage Loan
by admin on Apr.07, 2010, under Loans and Mortgages
The key to getting the best home mortgage loan is to shop around, compare and negotiate to get the best deal out of your mortgage.
With all the lenders offering different types of mortgages, finding the right home mortgage loan has become increasingly difficult. The importance of choosing the best deal in your mortgage can’t be over-emphasized. Your choice will most likely have a significant bearing on your future financial stability and how soon you will achieve it. This article presents some guidelines to help you look for the perfect home mortgage loan.
Shop around and do your own research
Home mortgages come in many forms and types. You can get them from mortgage companies, commercial banks, private lenders, credit unions and thrift institutions. Each of them offers a different set of loan terms, rates and fees. In order to get a good deal, it is a good idea to contact several possible lenders. You can ask for free mortgage quotes from each and request for a list of their fees and charges, then choose one that will get you the best terms. You can get a home mortgage loan through a mortgage broker as well. Your broker will be the one to directly arrange your financial transactions with the lending company and assist you in choosing the best deal.
Know the cost of the mortgage
Different lenders have different rates, charges and points. Therefore, you need to ask around before sealing a deal. The loan amount, type and term is most likely fixed, so you can present the same requirements and compare the home mortgage loan quotes they provide you. You can ask your lender directly for their interest rates, rate type (adjustable or fixed) and the annual percentage rate.
Lenders usually impose points which are inversely related to your interest rate. The lower the interest rates, the higher points you need to pay. Make sure you ask this information and compare that of different lenders. In addition, a home mortgage loan involves various fees which include underwriting fee, settlement, transaction and closing costs as well as broker fees. Your lender should give you a fair estimate when you apply for your loan. Lastly, it is important to know if your lender requires down payments or lump sum “balloon” fees. These charges and fees can affect your financial situation immensely, so make sure you ask as much questions as you need to.
Get the best deal
At this point, you will most likely know what each lender you chose can offer. With this in mind, negotiate for a great deal. Remember though that lenders offer different pricing to different customers despite similar loan requirements. Have everything in black and white by asking your lender or broker to enumerate all the costs charged when you make a home mortgage loan. Do not hesitate to ask your lender to waive or to even just reduce one or more of the fees, or agree to fewer points or lower interest rates. There is no harm in trying, and you have all to gain. After sealing the deal and being satisfied with the negotiation, consider asking for a lock-in period wherein you are protected from sudden interest rate increase during the loan processing.
Is a Personal Loan the best way to consoldate your
by admin on Apr.06, 2010, under Loans and Debt
Is a Personal Loan the best way to consoldate your loan debt?
A personal loan from a bank is usually the cheapest way of borrowing money open to most people.
Personal loans may be secured or unsecured. With a secured loan the lender has rights over certain property, like a car. An unsecured loan will usually have a higher rate of interest because it is a higher risk loan, which the lender would have more difficulty in recovering if you default on the payments.
A personal loan gives you more protection if something goes wrong than a Hire Purchase agreement. You usually have an opt-out period in which you can change your mind without any penalties
Personal loans come in many guises; car loans, property improvement loans and college loans are just a few.
A personal loan enables you to purchase what you need now and pay for it over the coming months or years. If you need a car now and you dont have the money now, a personal loan gives you the benefit of the money now, enabling you to buy the care, keep a job and pay off the loan.
Personal loans are distinct from mortgages because a mortgage can only be used to buy property. The mortgage loan will be at a lower rate of interest because it is secured against a property that is expected to rise in value, reducing the risk the lender is exposed to.
With the advent of the Internet the customer can shop around for a personal loan from many sources and compare payments easily. Customers do need to compare like with like though. Some loans will include an element of insurance, others will have set-up fees or early repayment penalties.
Comparing interest rates is another difficult area, Some companies quote a flat rate, a percentage of the original loan added periodically. The low rate very quickly mounts up to an exorbitant one.
Interest rates may be variable or fixed. Even a large difference in annual percentage rate (APR) may mean only a small difference in repayments, especially over a short 12 month term.
Be sure to check that the amounts payable are within your budget or you could lose the goods you bought and have to still keep making the repayments on them!
Feel the Sense of Cash Balance with Bad Credit Unsecured
by admin on Mar.12, 2010, under Loans and Credit
Feel the Sense of Cash Balance with Bad Credit Unsecured Loan
Every person while applying for any sort of loan, whether personal loan or loan with or without collateral, looks basically for three points- great rates, expert advice and fast payout.
Basically, all these features form the part of an unsecured loan. Unsecured loan are not secured against any property or collateral. Unsecured loan gets approved much faster as there is no evaluation of asset required. As the result of this, the person can access cash to balance his budget, handle emergencies, consolidate the pending bills and save something for his personal needs.
After understanding the concept of the unsecured loan, you may be eager to know about the bad credit unsecured loan. As the name suggests, bad credit unsecured loan are especially targeted towards people with poor credit score. That is to satisfy the financial needs of the people with bad credit history.
Before, the lending company provides funds to the bad credit scorers they also take reference with credit rating agencies. These credit rating agencies provide the credit analysis report of the borrower to the lending companies; so a lending company can verify the reason for the poor credit score.
Bad credit can happen to anyone and at anytime. It may be due to unemployment or any other personal problem or when missed payments on previous loan became arrears. These reasons will adversely affect the credit score of an individual.
Bad credit score not only acts as a hurdle in applying for a loan but also affects various other financial activities of a person.
For applying to a bad credit unsecured loan, you need not to be homeowner as these loans are designed to meet the needs of non homeowners. However, a person owning a house can also apply for the bad credit unsecured loan. The interest rate charged in the bad credit unsecured loan is higher than the typical annual percentage rate. Another point which is taken into account is that the amount the person can borrow through bad credit unsecured loan is small.
Bad debt unsecured loan can be applied online. Online application is the most convenient and the fastest way to apply for the loan. While online, the individual is required to fill an enquiry form and furnish certain details regarding his financial status. And if the lending company finds the profile or details furnished by the borrower satisfactory; then the lending company will get back to him as soon as possible.
Bad Credit Unsecured Loans Avail Easy Finance!
by admin on Feb.04, 2010, under Loans and Credit
Have you been struggling to avail loans due to bad credit history? You dont know whom to approach? Dont worry! Help is at hand. Opting for bad credit unsecured loans can help you overcome bad credit and also avail loans to meet your needs. Moreover, you dont have to pledge any collateral against the loan amount.
Compared to the general types of loans, bad credit unsecured loans carry a higher rate of interest as the onus of risk lies with the lender. Additionally, there are other factors which play a crucial role in deciding the interest rate like the loan amount, income, credit score, financial condition etc. Usually the amount that you can borrow on this type of loan varies from one lender to the other. You can look forward to a loan amount ranging from 500 to 25,000. These types of loans are very beneficial for low amounts.
You can also apply for a low APR unsecured loan if you are particularly looking for loans at a lower rate of interest. However, first, you need to know what a low APR is. APR means annual percentage rate. It is nothing but the yearly rate of interest including fees and costs paid to obtain the loan. You need to pledge collateral against the loan amount to get a low APR unsecured loan. You can easily borrow up to ₤75,000 or125% of your collateral. Additionally, these loans are available with a flexible repayment option ranging from 5 to 25 years.
Unsecured Loans Online Finance Available Fast without Collateral!
Everyone might face a situation when they may be in need of cash urgently. You may wonder whom to approach in such a situation. Unsecured loans online offer you a respite from the tough situation as they provide you money without taking much time.
These loans come with an array of advantages:
These loans are collateral-free and are approved instantly.
Since they are devoid of credit check, they save a borrowers valuable time.
A borrower can choose from a wide range of lenders available online which in turn enables you to get the best deal.
A borrower can also meet any of the personal needs like debt consolidation, home improvement, car purchase, educational funding, wedding expenses etc.
If you are looking for loans instantly to fulfill your personal needs, instant online loans are the best bet for you. Instant online loans can be availed by applying online. They are helpful to meet the short term needs. They are hassle free and easy to obtain. A borrower can save his precious time by opting for this type of loan.
If you are a resident of UK, you can avail low cost loans UK and at a lower rate of interest. You can this type of loan for any purpose like education, home repair, car purchase etc. Low cost loans UK give enable you to borrow a lump sum of money.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR): Magical Number or Myth When Shopping
by admin on Dec.07, 2009, under Loans and Mortgages
Annual Percentage Rate (APR): Magical Number or Myth When Shopping For Mortgage Refinancing Or Second Mortgage Loans?
Analyzing APR during mortgage refinancing or second mortgage loan shopping can be a very tricky proposition. Many people have come to believe that a loans APR, or “Annual Percentage Rate”, is the single most important factor in comparing mortgage loans. However, this is rarely the case, especially in today’s marketplace, explains Bob Peckenpaugh, Manager of CFIC Home Mortgage.
Annual Percentage Rate is defined as “the cost of consumer credit as a percentage spread out over the term of the loan. Most consumers have no idea what makes up this elusive number. APR is a valuable tool in comparing various mortgage loan programs, but it should never be relied upon as the sole determining factor in choosing a loan, for the following reasons:
1) Not all closing costs are calculated within the APR uniformly. According to Peckenpaugh, There is a huge variance among lenders, mortgage loan officers, and even states on which fees they include in their APR when calculating the loan. There is no standard among the mortgage industry, let alone among competing mortgage companies.
2) The costs themselves can be manipulated within the loan. For example, prepaid interest (the amount of pro-rated interest a consumer pays at closing for interest which will be earned from that date until the end of the month) can be represented as anywhere from 1 to 30 days, a potentially huge difference, especially on larger mortgage refinancing loans.
3) Manipulation of the title fees. Ordinarily, the title company’s settlement, or closing fee is an APR fee, while their title insurance cost is not. Peckenpaugh explains, Recently, in order to minimize the effect to the APR, title companies began simply decreasing their closing fee, while subsequently increasing their title insurance fee by the same amount, thereby reducing the APR.
4) Lack of industry awareness of what is accurate. Most mortgage loan or refinancing officers do not intentionally try to mislead, but inaccurate information could result in the consumer making a poor decision.
As opposed to APR, consumers would be better served by asking the following simple questions.
1) What is the mortgage interest rate?
2) What is the total mortgage loan amount?
3) What is the monthly mortgage payment (principal and interest)?
4) How much are the closing costs?
Generally, a written estimate covering all of the above can be generated by the mortgage loan-refinancing officer and provided to you in the form of a “Good Faith Estimate” and/or a “Truth In Lending Statement”. Then, you can compare these documents between mortgage lenders in order to determine the authenticity and accuracy of your quotes. For further mortgage financing or refinancing information, contact Bob Peckenpaugh, Manager, CFIC Home Mortgage, at 1-800-943-9472.