Money makes the world go round – no one doubts the veracity of this phrase in the 21st century. Who would have thought that these seemingly simple papers could have such power, the power to save or ruin a human life? Indeed, financial problems make people stress out, preventing them from living comfortably. But fortunately, the world has long found a way out of the situation – quick financial assistance in the form of online installment loans is now available to everyone. What is it, and how do these loans work? Let’s find out!
Installment Loans: All the Peculiarities and Nuances
Installment loans are the very thing that comes to mind when you think about cash borrowing options. This is the typical finance tool provided by lending companies in every US state. The essence is simple; you borrow the amount you need and undertake to pay it in equal installments, hence the name. These loans also feature customer-oriented repayment terms, which makes them especially popular with people seeking to cover their financial needs in manageable chunks.
It’s important to note that installment loan products come in different forms. While they share many similarities, each type has different features, interest rates, and purposes. We are about to reveal their peculiarities to boost your financial awareness.
Personal loans
This is probably the most popular lending option in the US. Unsecured personal loans come with a fixed APR cap and are repaid in equal installments over a clearly-defined period. The most popular use of this type of financing is debt repayment. However, personal loans work well for different purposes, from covering urgent expenses to making large purchases or organizing costly events (e.g., weddings, honeymoons, etc.).
No credit check auto loans
Auto loans are used for purchasing a vehicle which, in turn, acts as collateral. Therefore, lenders do not check your credit history, which makes financing available to applicants with frankly low FICO scores. Moreover, auto loans are easy to get; you just need to find guaranteed installment loans for bad credit direct lenders only, and meet the eligibility criteria. But note that this lending option is more costly.
Mortgages
A mortgage is a secured installment loan that helps people buy property. The house itself serves as collateral, so interest rates are usually low. The major feature of mortgages is their huge repayment period – from 10 to 30 years. That being said, you are technically not a homeowner until your debt is paid in full. So in case of default, the lender confiscates your property, that is, the house.
Student loans
This lending option is popular with those looking for additional funds to pay for their studies. Student loans can be federal or private. The first serve as installment loans for bad credit, as they do not involve hard credit checks. Moreover, they come with fixed interest rates and feature various repayment benefits such as deferment or forgiveness programs. Private student loans are also great as long as you can get profitable APRs and flexible repayment terms.
The Procedure of an Installment Loan Approving
The main thing about borrowing money from any financial institution is getting approved for a loan, and the procedure is not complicated at all. The whole matter comes down to verifying the information you provide when filling out your application form. Such an evaluation process is needed to determine your ability to meet the obligations of an installment loan. So, explore the eligibility criteria to find out if you can qualify for the desired lending option.
If you apply for installment loans online, you will also need to provide your email address and phone number so that the lender can keep in touch with you and your bank card number for direct money transfer. What’s more, some lenders offer financial assistance only to those with excellent credit scores, so they can check your credit report to see if you are a safe borrower.
How Long Should You Wait to Get Approved for Installment Loans?
Online installment loans instant approval is the best thing lending companies can offer their customers. But alas, not all providers are so prompt, and some lenders require more time to process your application, forcing you to wait several hours. If you decide to apply for a loan offline by choosing a storefront location near you, you will have to wait for approval even longer. Therefore, the benefits of turning to online lenders are obvious.
How Many Installment Loans Can the Borrower Get at Once?
US lending regulations do not imply any limits on the number of loans borrowers can get at once, and it does not matter what state you live in. It all depends on the company that provides you with financial assistance. Thus, you have an opportunity to take out multiple installment loans from one or different providers. In addition, lenders traditionally set limits on the maximum amount to borrow with single or multiple loans.
Extra Fees and Pitfalls for Installment Loans
While some people actively use installment loans, others avoid such lending options. How to understand that this is what you are looking for? Indeed, despite the numerous advantages, there are still some pitfalls to consider.
What are Installment Loans Terms and Conditions?
It’s impossible to identify if a loan is right for you if you have no idea about how it works. So the first thing you should do when looking for installment loans near me or online is to puzzle out their terms and conditions. We are here to help you, so the following information will be useful to you:
The Reasons the Lender Can Deny Your Installment Loans
Although there is nothing difficult in obtaining approval for an installment loan, some lucky ones still manage to get rejected. Why do lenders refuse financial assistance to applicants? Meet the most common reasons for loan denial.
About Installment Loans Costs
Since the terms of installment loans differ, their costs vary accordingly. But there is still one thing in common – the way how the total cost of your loan is calculated. So this amount includes your loan principal + interest rate + fees (if any). You can easily find out how much you will have to pay off by using an online loan calculator. In general, it all depends on the APR. For example, if the annual percentage rate is 36%, you will pay for your $1 000 one-year loan as much as $1 205 ($100 each month). The total cost will also be indicated in the loan agreement, so read it carefully.
How to Effectively Clear Your Installment Loans
If you want an installment loan to fix your financial problems and not cause new ones, it’s crucial to deal with your debt wisely. Everything is much easier than you think. Just follow the tips below, and you will get rid of your installment loan effectively.
- Reduce your weekly and monthly expenses
- Re-examine and plan your budget
- Prioritize debt repayment
- Try to make money savings
- Boost your income by getting a part-time job
Installment Loans Alternatives You Should Know About
Installment loans not the right choice for you? Or maybe you want to explore some other lending options available to US residents? We have selected the top 3 alternatives that can help you deal with your money troubles.
Payday loans
This is one of the most popular types of fast financing today. And not surprisingly, a short repayment period (14-30 days) allows you to discharge your debt quickly. Moreover, a high credit score is not required as lenders take into account the stability of your income. However, cash advances will cost you more than installment loans since their APRs are quite high.
Personal line of credit
Unlike an installment loan that provides you with all the funds you need right away, a personal line of credit allows you to borrow money on a regular basis whenever you need some extra cash. PLOC is typically unsecured and does not require collateral. This is a type of revolving credit that also features variable interest rates and works well for covering small expenses.
Friends and relatives
This is another great alternative to personal installment loans. After all, friends or family are ready to help you at any time of the day or night. They will not check your credit score, verify documents, or ask for collateral. Moreover, you will never face high interest rates or additional fees. The only downside is the amount of the loan since not everyone is willing to lend you $10 000, $30 000, or $100 000 right away.
The Final Word
When considering whether to apply for an installment loan, compare all the pros and cons of this borrowing option. In general, this is a convenient way to deal with your financial struggles, covering both urgent unexpected expenses and long-planned major purchases. Low interest rates, flexible repayment terms, and large amount limits make installment loans rather useful and profitable. Now you know how to get approved, so you are ready to apply for fast cash. Keep in mind that we are always here for you – feel free to ask for help when you need it!
