In financial terms, a loan is a borrowing of monies by one or more people, institutions, businesses or other entities for the purpose of paying back a debt to the original borrower. The recipient is usually legally liable to repay principal and a certain amount on that debt before it is paid off. The loan itself may be secured or unsecured. Common types of loans are business loans, personal loans, mortgages, credit card debts, student loans and car loans. Usually, the term loan refers to any borrowing, however short term or long term.
Before a lender gives you a loan, he will calculate the amount of the loan plus the interest charged on it against your annual income and the value of your house etc. If you have assets such as your home, your automobile, your shares etc. the value of those assets count in determining your loan amount and hence the rate of interest charged on the loan. Lenders will also consider whether you can repay the loan in a single lump sum or over a period of time and at what interest rate.
If you do not own any valuable property then your chances of obtaining a loan are reduced significantly. However, if you do have some assets to use as collateral, your loan amount will be higher. Normally the amount of your loan is determined on the basis of your income and value of collateral. However, recent rule changes have allowed non homeowners to obtain loans. Apart from being a riskier affair, this option is also considered less desirable than a secured loan because a homeowner is not able to withdraw the collateral if he fails to meet his repayment obligations.
Lenders normally prefer availing loans from banks or financial institutions because banks can look at your past record and decide whether you are a safe borrower or not. Also, most banks do not accept high-risk borrowers, only individuals who are willing to pledge collateral for the loans. However, there are some lenders who do not follow this rule and so they often lend to individuals who are risk averse and have not made any effort to prove themselves as safe borrowers.
It is advisable that you do some research about the different types of home loans before approaching a lender for a loan. With the increasing demand for loans in the market, there are many lenders who are offering competitive home loans. To attract more customers, some lenders offer very low interest rate and attractive loan schemes. Good research will help you find the right kind of loan at the right price.
Students with bad credit can still avail loans by getting co-signers who will vouch for their credibility as good borrowers. There are also companies who specialize in providing student loan facilities. The advantage of getting student loans is that they help you to manage your expenses and to attend your higher education. The other advantage is that you can easily pay off your loan on time and you can thus enjoy many years of higher education without having to worry about repayment. Hence, it is advisable that if you have not made any payment in few months or if you have been unable to make any payment so far, then you should consider taking a loan now.
