There could be a lot of different reasons why you are considering getting a loan. You might have had an unexpected car or home repair pop up or you could be having trouble paying off a large medical bill.
The reasons that you need the money can actually be almost endless but there are a few questions that you need to ask before you apply for any loan such as an instant cash online loan.
The answers to some of these questions can help you to decide what type of loan might be best suited to your needs and even if you really need to apply for a loan at all.
Do You Meet the Qualifications?
Sometimes there are many different qualifications that you need to meet to get a loan. The most basic include being over the age of 18, having verifiable income and living in the state in which you are requesting the loan. These are all pretty basic to any type of loan that you might apply for online or in person at a lender’s office.
In addition, you will want to consider your current credit score. Do you have a score that is high enough to get the loan? If your score is low then you are going to pay a higher interest rate so you might want to consider taking the time to improve your score before you apply for the loan.
What is the Application Process?
Before you embark on any loan application process you should know what to expect and a little about the process. In many cases, you will be applying online but then you might also be required to go to an office during the process as well. This is important to know before you get started. Some lenders will allow you to scan and email the documents that they need to see to verify your identity, your address, and your income but others want the documents faxed or delivered in person. This can have an impact on how long the process will take and how convenient it is for you to complete. Another important question to ask is how long it will take the lender to your application. You will want to know if it will be a matter of hours, days or weeks. If the process seems like it will be very slow then you should select a different lender. And finally, you need to ask how long it would take to get the money after your loan application is approved.
What is the Cost?
There can be a lot of hidden fees and costs to a loan and you want to be certain that you understand all of the fees and the total cost of the loan before you begin the application process. You will be providing the lender with a lot of personal information and you don’t want to do that and then find out that the fees are too high and you are not going to take the loan. The first question about fees should be to learn if there are any application fee or processing fee. The application fee is normally just that, a fee for them to look at your loan request. This fee is nonrefundable even if you don’t get the loan. The processing fee is normally charged if you are approved for a loan. It is the lender getting paid for the paperwork that they are doing for the loan. If you are not approved for some reason then you should not be asked to pay this fee. Finally, you will want to verify what the interest rates are from the lender. In some cases, it will be a single rate for all loans but others will assign a rate based on your creditworthiness. In this case, they should be able to quote you a range and tell you about where you will fall according to your credit score.
What is the Repayment Time Period?
This is sometimes called the term of the loan and it tells you how long that you have to repay the loan. The time frame can vary according to how much you are borrowing and also your ability to repay the loan. Remember that the longer you take to repay the loan the more interest you will be paying. It is always best to select the shortest time frame that you can but be sure that you can afford the monthly payment. Also be sure to ask if there is any penalty for paying the loan off early. Some lenders charge a flat amount for early pay off while others do not charge any extra fees. You will want to know this upfront and try to find a lender that does not charge a penalty for early payoff. That way you can pay off the loan early and save yourself some money if you find extra money in your budget.
What is the Loan Going to be Used For?
This is an important question that you need to ask yourself. You need to decide if you really need the loan or if the loan is just for something that you want to buy or do. If the loan is to meet a need then paying interest and some fees if worth it. But if the loan is for a new phone and you have a functional phone, then do you really think that paying interest is wise? Getting a loan of instant cash online can be very easy and fast which is good but only if the loan is really necessary. If you are just getting a new gadget or electronic item then it might be smarter to wait to purchase it when you have saved the money to pay for it. Making smart financial choices is more about knowing the difference between a want and a need than it is about having great investment tips or being good at math. Build your savings and your credit score and then you will be able to get a great interest rate any time that you need a loan.