When considering how to apply for a loan there are a number of things that you need to take in consideration; this sounds fairly obvious, but you’d be surprised just how many people who apply for small loans fall into debt or financial difficulty purely based on the fact that they didn’t do the fundamental research prior to applying. It should never be a case of first come first served, rushing into loan applications that could potentially saddle you with a significant amount of debt, for a long period of time. Although it is evident many people do dive headfirst into the unsecured lending market without first implementing a checklist of simple questions, the actual process of applying for a loan should be taken carefully, with great thought and above all, with patience.
Explore Your Options
Exploring your options is probably the first and most important consideration one must factor into their decision-making process when applying for a loan. Although it is true to admit we all live within a super fast paced society whereby decisions are made at lightning quick speeds; this should never however be the case when one is considering entering into financial arrangements, irrespective of the wonderful deal you may have been offered. The first thing to do therefore when looking for a small loan is to spend time researching the marketplace. Although it is evident an individual’s credit rating will ultimately impact upon the quality of the loan rate available, you must still take your time when exploring quick loans options irrespective of your own credit score. Yes, we know it’s old-fashioned but here at SAU Money we still hold traditional values and believe in the power of the good old pencil and paper. The first thing to do then is to flash up your laptop or smart phone and simply make a search for loan options.
Annual Percentage Rate
On each and every website that you come across you will notice the annual percentage rate of interest; this is a very important figure and one which must not be ignored when you are exploring your options to apply for a loan. Put simply, the higher the annual percentage rates, the more you will ultimately have to pay back on top of the original amount that you have borrowed. It is therefore essential you take your time in exploring all options available when applying for small loans, the first thing you need to look for is what annual percentage rate you will be paying back on the money you have borrowed as this is a key figure that should underpin all decision making on loan applications.
What is your Credit Rating?
Before you apply for a loan it is always worth checking out what your credit score is. If you do have poor credit rating then this could ultimately impact upon the quality of the loan you be to apply for. Some of the major lenders operate their own internal credit scoring system, which is linked in with an internal algorithm which will then ultimately determine whether or not you will be approved for a loan. Although this can limit the options all available for people it’s best to look at it as a fail-safe system, whereby if you do have a poor credit rating, you won’t automatically be approved for short-term credit. Things that impact on credit ratings include previous debts that were taken on and not repaid. Remember that gym membership that you signed up for and pulled out early without cancelling properly? That may also have had an impact on your credit rating believe it or not. Even the most trivial previous financial commitments you entered into may have impacted upon your current credit rating and therefore it is important that you approach credit scoring agencies to ascertain what your current credit standing is prior to making any loan applications.
Early Repayment Charges
Although it would be lovely to have the capacity to pay off loans early this is clearly not possible for everybody who applies for a small loan. Believe it or not this is something that many people who apply for loans actually have the ability to do, after they have entered into the loan agreement. An example of this could be the loan applicant coming into a small sum of money during the course of the loan agreement. Rather than sitting on a pot of money the individual may want to utilise some of their windfall to pay off the debt, and this makes complete financial sense. It is however important to check the small print on any loan application to see if there are any early repayment charges. Loan companies make their money through charging interest rates and if the loan applicant does not maintain the repayment plan for the set number of months set out in the loan agreement through paying off the loan early, then the loan company will subsequently not make as much money. It is in their best interests then to implement early repayment charges. The best thing to do with all loan applications therefore is to have a look at any early repayment charges and these will always be contained within the small print of your loan agreement.