Posts Tagged auto loans for people with bad credit
5 Benefits of Bad Credit Auto Loans
Posted by Owen in Bad Credit Auto Loans on September 22, 2009
If you think that a bad credit auto loan is a negative thing, then this article is for you. I’ll be discussing the five biggest benefits of auto loans for people with bad credit – maybe I will even surprise you with one or two. After reading this article you should be able to see why auto loans for bad credit can help many people improve their financial situation.
One – A Low Credit Score will Not Prevent You from Getting a New(er) Car
Fortunately, most auto loans for bad credit do not require a particular credit score. The main criteria for qualifying are: reliable, stable employment, be over 18 years of age, be a US Citizen (usually) and make at least $1500 per month. Your credit score will be checked, and will be used to determine your interest rate – but by itself will not disqualify you from a loan.
Two – Reliable Transportation Can Help You Improve Your Credit
One of the reasons many of us get behind on our payments is because of job problems. Sometimes it’s getting to work on time, or at all. If you don’t have reliable transportation, it really can impact your job performance and attendance. If you have reliable transportation, getting to work will no longer be a problem. Having reliable income to count on to pay your bills is an important step in repairing your credit. Car loans for people with bad credit can help people get reliable transportation to meet their goals.
Three – A History of Regular Car Payments will Improve Your Credit
Your credit score is calculated in a number of ways, and one of those factors is the variety in the types of loans you have on your credit report. Adding a car loan to your credit report will add variety – and if you are careful to always pay on time, this loan can improve your credit rating.
Four – Having a Car You Are Proud of Will Help You Stay Motivated
Most of us Americans love our cars. They are practically members of the family. Owning a car you love, that provides you reliable transportation and that you spend a good deal of time in each day can really be a motivator.” How’s that?” you might be thinking. If you have a car you love, you’re more likely to make sure you make the payments – and make them on time – to ensure that your car will not be repossessed and that you can look into a bad credit auto loan refinance down the road once your credit improves. Having something you value always helps you stay motivated to meet your goals.
Five – A Bad Credit Auto Loan Refinance Can Improve Your Budget
If you took out a car loan, made your payments for awhile, but now find that your financial situation has changed – don’t stress. You may be able to find a bad credit auto loan refinance. If you have had your car long enough and have paid down the principle, many banks or credit unions will refinance your car for a longer term, or even a lower interest rate. Refinancing your car can shave much needed dollars off your monthly payment. Although not as dramatic as a mortgage refinance, a car refinance can still put an extra $50 or so back into your wallet.
Summary
Thought a bad credit loan was all bad news? Not at all. Hopefully you can see that qualifying for an auto loan for bad credit has many advantages – not having to have a high credit score for one thing. Hopefully this article has given you some insight into how a bad credit auto loan can help you on your path to improving your finances.
Auto Loans for Bad Credit
Posted by Owen in Bad Credit Auto Loans on September 22, 2009
If you want to learn about auto loans for bad credit, then you’ll want to read this article. Specifically, we’ll discuss how to qualify for an auto loan for bad credit, what will make you less likely to qualify for a bad credit auto loan and where to find an auto loan for people with bad credit. After reading this article, you should be able to know enough to start your search for the right auto loan for you.
How to Qualify for an Auto Loan for Bad Credit
The most important factors in qualifying for this type of loan are: proof of employment, be over the age of 18, be a US Citizen (not always required), and have a minimum monthly income – generally around $1500 per month. It will also benefit you if you have lived at the same address for more than 3 years. You will be asked to prove your income with paystubs and possibly tax documents. You may also be required to show proof of residency – usually utility bills.
Your credit score will be checked, but will probably not exclude you from receiving the loan as long as you meet the criteria above. The credit score will be a factor however in determining your interest rate. The lower the score, the higher the interest you will be likely to pay.
What May Keep you From an Auto Loan for Bad Credit
If you are a temporary worker or a seasonal worker, you may not be able to qualify since you cannot prove stable employment. If you have had a recent repossession that was not part of a bankruptcy, that will also likely exclude you from qualifying. If you are under 18 you will not be able to obtain a loan without a co-signer. If this is the case for you, consider asking your parents or guardian to act as a co-signer for you. Lenders generally will not loan on cars older than 7 years, so keep that in mind when shopping for your car.
Where to find Auto Loans for People with Bad Credit
Depending on your credit and your relationship with your bank, you may be able to be pre-qualified for an auto loan at your banking institution. Talk with your local banker to find out what kinds of programs they offer. Another option is to look at Credit Unions to see if you can pre-qualify with them. If these two methods do not work, work with the car dealership. Generally they have special relationships with numerous financial institutions and they have a vested interest in helping you find a loan – if they can’t help you, you won’t buy from them. Be careful about “Buy Here/Pay Here” car lots however, those loans may not be serviced by the more reputable financial institutions and you will likely pay far more in interest than you need to.
Summary
If you have less than perfect credit, consider a bad credit auto loan. Although the interest rates may be a bit higher, it can get you into reliable transportation. Remember that you have to have a stable job, be over 18 and be a US Citizen. Also, be sure to shop for a car that is less than 7 years old in order to qualify for most loans. Banks and Credit Unions are a good place to start when looking for auto loans for bad credit, followed by a reputable car dealership.
With this information you should be able to start your search for a bad credit auto loan and find the right program that will fit your needs and your budget.
Bad Credit Loans | Part One: Loans for People with Bad Credit
Posted by Owen in Bad Credit Auto Loans, Bad Credit Mortgages, Bad Credit Personal Loans, Bad Credit Refinance, Credit Repair on September 8, 2009
In this series of articles, I will be giving an overview of different types of loans for people with bad credit. Many of these loans have features in common. Feel free to jump to the article that applies most to the subject you’re interested in. Each article has a table of contents at the end, as well as a link to the next article in the series.
Overview
Most of us have had financial hardships at least one in our lives. It doesn’t take much to upset the normal flow of finances – a loss of a job, unexpected medical expenses, auto accident – in my case, it was the unexpected closure of my small business. Regardless of the cause, bad credit is one of those things that many of us have to deal with. Just because you’ve got bad credit doesn’t mean that you don’t have the same financial needs everyone else does when it comes to borrowing. It just means that in order to get a good rate, you have to work a little harder and a little smarter. You may also have to look at bad credit loans as more of an opportunity to meet your financial needs while rebuilding your credit.
What is your situation?
Before you start your search, know what kind of loan you need. Are you looking for personal loans for people with bad credit, or a bad credit refinance? Knowing the type of loan you need will speed up the process of finding the right financial solution for you.
Know your Score
Regardless of the type of loan you need, the first thing you should do is know your credit score. Order your credit reports from all three reporting agencies – Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. You can usually find a way to get these reports for free, especially if you have been turned down for credit in the last 30-90 days. Once you’ve got your credit report, look at it for errors and be sure to write to each credit agency to report the errors right away. Know the meaning of credit scores and use that knowledge to improve your credit. Your credit score will be a factor with almost any loan you apply for, but will be most critical for home loans for people with bad credit.
Have a Plan
When you start shopping for a bad credit loan, have a rough idea of what you’re looking for. If you need student loans for people with bad credit for example, know when you expect to be able to start making payments. You probably don’t want to sign up for a loan that requires you to begin making payments when you’re still attending classes. If you are looking for car loans for people with bad credit, have in mind the price range of the car you’re thinking about buying. With all loans know the upper limit of what you can afford in monthly payments.
Shop Around
Most financial needs are immediate. You have pressing bills or expenses that need to be paid now. It is very tempting to take the first loan that you qualify for. It can make a huge difference though to shop around – especially for mortgage loans for people with bad credit. Small differences in interest rates or closing costs can cost you thousands of dollars over the life of a loan. Auto loans for people with bad credit can be costly as well – know in advance the total cost of financing your new car and the total monthly payments. Don’t forget to factor in insurance on a new vehicle – newer cars generally cost more to insure and can come as a surprise later on.
Summary
Bad credit doesn’t have to be the end to borrowing. You just have to know your situation and be prepared to look for the right product to suit your needs. Once you find the right loan for people with bad credit, think about how you can restructure your finances to improve your credit to eventually get better rates.
In the next article, we will be going into more detail on a particular type of bad credit loan – mortgage loans for people with bad credit.
Bad Credit Loans | Part Two: Mortgage Loans for People with Bad Credit
For reference, the entire series of articles is listed below.
Bad Credit Loans | Part One: Loans for People with Bad Credit
Bad Credit Loans | Part Two: Mortgage Loans for People with Bad Credit
Bad Credit Loans | Part Three: Car Loans for People with Bad Credit
Bad Credit Loans| Part Four: Personal Loans for People with Bad Credit
Bad Credit Loans| Part Five: Bad Credit Refinance