It is now so easy to make a secured loan application, you can do it from your own home. Many lenders allow borrowers to apply for loans directly on their websites but independent loan brokers can offer independent advice and a choice of different loans from different lenders. They generally make the comparisons between different loans easy for people to see by using a table. This way, potential borrowers are able to 'compare apples to apples.' One loan can initially look better than another until you consider comparable terms and conditions.
One-stop-shop loan websites usually provide an online calculator to help you work out what your monthly payments will be for different interest rates and loan terms. By spending some time playing around with one of these calculators you will be able to determine what interest rate and fixed term you will need to get a monthly payment you can afford comfortably.
This knowledge can guide you when making your secured loan application. It means you will apply for a loan with the lowest possible interest rate and request a fixed loan term that will give you the best monthly payments for your needs. Of course, there are limits to your ability to get a loan term and interest rate that will give you the outcome you want. However, you are far more likely to achieve this or get close to it if you plan ahead by using an online loan calculator.
Even before you are ready to submit a secured loan application, it is a good idea to read through the online form to know what information you need to have on hand. This will save you time later. For a comprehensive loan application you will need to provide income and expenses information that can be verified upon request with payslips and rent receipts or mortgage information as well as details about your current employer and perhaps even employment history. You will also need to provide information about the security you are offering for the loan. If you are still paying a mortgage on the property you are offering as collateral, you will need to provide information about the lender for that property.
However, many so-called online applications are really just an initial contact with the lender. Once they receive your secured loan 'application' a loans officer will contact you to talk you through a real application. By spending a little time browsing some loan websites you can find out which applications are comprehensive and which are simply indicating an interest. With the more comprehensive applications, quick conditional approval is often advertised. This means that your application is approved subject to documentation supporting the claims made in the application.
Remember when you make a secured loan application you are agreeing to the lender putting a lien on property to cover the loan amount. This means that if you default on the loan you will have your property seized and sold to pay the debt. It is therefore important to be sure of your ability to make your loan payments in full on or before the due date every month. If you have a history of late payments or financial difficulties, you may need to reconsider whether this sort of loan is in your best interest.
