One of the factors that affect the overall cost of a consumer loan is the interest rate. Many borrowers have been caught in a web of debt because of the interest rates that accrued on their debts. This, therefore, means that the interest rate is one of the most important factors to consider before accepting any loan offer.
This is not to say that there are no other factors to consider but our focus in this article is on interest rates. In this article, we will focus on sharing some tips with you on how to get low-interest consumer loans. Please read on.
Understanding Interest Rates
Interest rate is the percentage of the original amount that an individual borrowed or invested that is charged or earned over a specific duration. This original sum is known as the principal. This rate is mostly used in financial transactions such as mortgages, investments, loans and investments.
When a person borrows money, the interest rate defines the total cost of taking out a loan or the price you have to pay or use other people’s money. It is often expressed as APR (annual percentage rate). For example, if you take out a loan of $1,000 (INR 82,564) at an APR of 5%, the interest that you would have to pay by the end of a year will be $50 (INR 4,128).
These rates can either be variable or fixed. A fixed rate is the type that remains the same throughout the repayment period of the credit. This provides stability in the monthly payments that the borrower has to make and the interest rate that the loan accrued.
A variable rate on the other hand fluctuates over the repayment duration of the loan based on several factors such as the terms and conditions of the facility and market conditions.
The interest rate of a credit facility has a significant impact on the total cost of borrowing. A lower rate generally translates to a lower cost of borrowing. This can also stimulate economic growth because it encourages investment and borrowing. Higher interest rates on the other hand can inhibit economic activities such as borrowing and investment but may bring higher returns on investment to investors and savers.
It is therefore important to critically consider the rate when one is making a financial decision such as investment or borrowing. This is because it will directly impact on the total amount that one would repay over time or the amount an investor will earn at the end of an investment period.
Bear in mind however, that other factors such as the type of loan one is looking for, market conditions and the creditworthiness of the borrower can affect the interest rate that a borrower can be offered.
How to Get a Consumer Loan with the Lowest Interest Rate?
From the forgoing points that we have discussed, you can deduce that there are things that a person can do to increase their chance of getting credit with a low-interest rate. So in this segment, we will share some tips on how you can get the lowest rate possible.
Check your Credit Score and Improve on it
Lenders would most often give favourable terms and conditions to borrowers that have excellent credit scores or at least good credit scores. This, therefore, means that before applying for a loan, you need to check your credit score to be sure of what it is and know whether you need to work on it or not.
Get a copy of your credit report and review it; look out for errors so that you can take steps to correct them. You may also need to strategize on how to improve the score, if necessary. Some ways of doing this include paying your bills on time, maintaining a low utilization ratio of your credit and reducing your debts.
You can learn more about how to read your credit report here.
Go on Comparison Shopping
Ensure that you check out as many lenders as possible because they all have varying rates, terms and conditions for their credit facility. Take out time to research each lender thoroughly and compare their offers.
We recommend that you check out both conventional and unconventional lenders; these include credit unions, banks and online lenders. You never can tell where you will get the lowest interest rates or the terms that will favour you the most.
Present a Solid Loan Application
When you have researched as many lenders as possible, and chosen the best one for you, present a solid application to them. This application should show your capacity to repay and your financial capacity. To do this, you need to provide your employment history, proof of income and your assets.
With a solid application, you stand the chance of negotiating for and getting an offer with terms and conditions that will favour you.
Consider Applying with a Co-signer
This point is especially for people who have a credit score that is not as good as it should be. You need to consider looking for another person whose credit score is excellent and ask them to join you in applying for the loan. The excellent credit score of your co-applicant will shore up yours and improve your chances.
A co-signer is one who agrees to take responsibility for repaying your debt if you default. This person can either be your parent, your spouse or partner.
Do Not be Afraid to Negotiate for Lower Rates
Always look at the possibility of getting a credit facility with a lower interest rate. If your credit score and history are good and you can show that you are financially stable, you have good grounds for negotiation so do not be afraid to explore your options. Compare offers from different lenders so that you can have ‘ammunition’ for your negotiation. You can visit forbrukslånlavrente.com for some general information regarding loans.
Conclusion
When looking for a credit facility with the lowest rates and favourable terms, make sure that you carefully review the loan contract. Ensure you understand everything that’s in the agreement including all the costs that come with the loan. Do not be in a hurry to sign any financial contract because you may be getting yourself into deeper trouble than at the beginning.
