Tag Archives: consolidation
Secured and Unsecured Debts
Debts do seem to be all alike, but it must be known that there are actually many different kinds of debts available. A borrower might ask what does it matter if there are different kinds of debts, as long as the payments to be made with them remain the same? But the distinction becomes all too obvious if the borrower is unable to make the payments in time and needs to find out ways and means to get rid of the debt. This can be done through consolidation or refinancing. At such times, it is necessary to know the different kinds of debts and what they entail. Here we discuss the two important types of debts secured and unsecured debts.
A secured debt is one for which the borrower needs to put some collateral. Collateral is a kind of a financial security for the lender. In case the loan is defaulted upon, the lender has the legal right to dispose of the collateral in any which way and recover some of the loaned amount through it. This is known as repossession. But it must be remembered that repossession may not let the borrower go off the hook. If the collateral is not able to compensate for the entire principal amount, then the lender would demand for the remaining amount. Then there would also be several fees to be paid for the foreclosure. Collaterals are usually needed for home and car loans. One further disadvantage with secured loans is that the borrower is not at liberty to negotiate on the interest rates later into the loan. Debt consolidation may also not be possible with such loans, since the lender has their own security. Even filing for bankruptcy may not free the borrower from the loan.
Unsecured debts are those for which collaterals are not needed. People with good credit ratings or those with credit card loans are generally the ones who get unsecured loans. Medical and commercial debts may also fall in this category. With these loans, the lenders do not have any security of the amount they have lent, but they are assured that the borrower will be in a position to pay back the loan. Despite that, if a person defaults on an unsecured loan, then it could go into collections and there could be legal action. However, this happens only as a last resort. Lenders are usually open to negotiations on such loans and borrowers can look at debt consolidation or settlement as a way out of the indebtedness. Credit counseling usually resolves the problems of repaying unsecured loans.
For all the advantages unsecured loans provide, they have higher rates of interest than the secured loans. Most borrowers in the US today have a mélange of secured and unsecured loans. Whatever be the type of the loan, its management is the most important factor. Sometimes people need to begin by borrowing and repaying some secured loans before they can qualify for unsecured loans. This would improve the credit ratings. Anyways, both kinds of loans are potentials for improving credit ratings when paid back in time.
The Basics Of Student Loan Consolidation
Whether you are a parent of a college student, a current student, or a recent college graduate, you have undoubtedly realized how confusing student loans can be. Many students have multiple loans from several lenders, each with its own distinct terms, rate, and payoff amount. Keeping track of these multiple loans seems like a full time job where, instead of receiving a paycheck, you are given stacks of payment coupons. There is a way to free yourself from the overwhelming monotony of being in this position: Student loan consolidation.
Student loan consolidation makes things much less complicated; instead of tracking multiple loans and payments, you will only have one monthly payment. A typical repayment period is ten years. While in essence student consolidation loans are large loans used to pay off several smaller loans, they are governed by different rules than other types of consolidation loans. Here are some distinct features of student loan consolidation:
1. You cannot consolidate student loans that are in default. If you have already defaulted on one or more student loans, you must first work with the lender/s to get back on a payment plan; then you are free to consolidate these loans. You may consolidate student loans that are still in the grace period, as well as loans on which you are currently making payments.
2. If your student loans are through conventional federal funding sources like Stafford Loans, Direct Loans, Perkins or Guaranteed Student Loans, and you are not in default on any student loans, you should find it relatively easy to obtain a consolidation loan; however, it is not always possible to consolidate student loans from private funding sources. You should consolidate any federal student loans first, because their availability and interest rates are not based on a person’s credit. By making timely payments on a federal loan consolidation, you can improve your credit and get better rates and terms when you consolidate any private student loans.
3. When you consolidate student loans, the interest rate you will pay is calculated based on the average rate of your existing loans. If most of your outstanding student loans have similar interest rates, then your student consolidation loan should have approximately the same rate. If your interest rates vary widely, your consolidation loan will be based on a weighted average of your existing rates.
4. You should be able to consolidate your student loans without having to pay a fee. Beware of lenders that offer to consolidate your loans for a small fee; There should be no fees for student loan consolidation, and you can easily shop elsewhere.
5. Many lenders require that you consolidate a certain minimum amount of student loan debt. The amount will vary from lender to lender, but if your student loans total less than $10,000, you may have fewer options available when consolidating.
By simply consolidating your outstanding student loans, you will see improvement in your overall credit score. Part of your credit score is based on the number of accounts you have open, and by reducing this number you will be seen as a lower credit risk. For recent college graduates whose maximum earning potential may be years in the future, student loan consolidation can make surviving on an entry level salary much more comfortable.