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Boat Finance Australia

Tips on Boat Finance Basics

So you feel it’s time to buy that boat you’ve always dreamed about? You’ve considered many types of boats to find that perfect one. You’ve checked out various retailers and boat shows, boat name brands, and sizes, but aren’t sure how to proceed with the financial realm of buying a boat. Perhaps you don’t have enough to pay cash and are considering a boat loan.

Boat finance can be simple if you know how to do it and which company to work with. Let’s explore some boat finance basics so you can soon realize your sailing dreams.

Boat loans can be issued in many ways, so it’s wise to shop around a little before making a commitment. First, know the difference between mortgage loans,car loans, and boat loans. A boat loan can usually be stretched out over a similar period of time to a car loan – up to five perhaps seven years.

A boat loan cannot normally be stretched as far as thirty or forty years such as a mortgage loan. So the payments may be similar to those of your car, depending on the initial purchase price and the boat loan interest rate.

Banks vs. Boat Loan Specialists

Choosing a lender can be another difficult decision. Some banks and credit unions might offer very attractive loan packages on boats, or they might even allow you to secure a personal loan, which usually requires no collateral.

This will depend on your credit history and credit score as well as the bank’s requirements for unsecured loans. On the other hand, a boat loan specialist may be able to work directly with you to get the best possible interest rate,

the required insurance for your boat loan, and faster loan approval. Because the company specializes in boat finance, it may be able to offer more creative loan possibilities to meet your financial needs.

Shop around and ask your boat retailer if they already work with a boat loan specialist to provide financing for your purchase. You might be surprised at what they have to offer.

Also, beware of buying a used boat. Find out the age of the boat, how often it has been used, how long it has been parked without use, and whether it needs repairs. Boat repairs can be very expensive, so do your homework! Ask a boat repair specialist to check it out for you before buying.

If you plan to finance a boat, you will likely get a better boat finance plan on a new boat, so be sure to weigh the differences before jumping in with both feet.

Hidden Costs of Boat Finance

Be sure to consider any hidden costs involved in boat finance. Within the loan or required by the lender, there will be interest, loan insurance, a title, possible closing costs, boat insurance, and taxes. Some lenders may require a down payment, which could range from 5 percent up to 20 percent, depending on your credit history.

Also, consider other costs of owning a boat such as fuel, dockage fees, supplies, repairs, maintenance, a hauling trailer,storage for the boat, and an appropriate hauling vehicle. The larger the boat, the more expenses you will incur.

Determine how much you can afford before shopping around. Determine a set purchase amount and a set boat loan payment so you can be sure to stay within your budget. Stay budget-minded so you won’t get carried away with an elaborate sales presentation while shopping!

You can easily go online to determine possible payments and interest rates using an online boat finance calculator. This will help you know what to expect when financing your boat. Shop around for the best deals on boat loans,interest rates, and payment plans to find one that suits your needs now and for the future. Smart shopping now can help you find the perfect boat – and boat loan – while minimizing the stress of this significant purchase!

Dumpty Humpty Sat On A…Winning With Credit Repair (Page 1 of 2)

When Dumpty Humpty fell off the wall the creditors started calling and sending threatening letters all about what they were going to do to you and your credit. With speed dialers and predictive dialing systems there is no escape from this onslaught of harassment. Only a positive and proactive plan can meet and beat this bombardment from the creditors. The pieces after the fall can be put together again and it won’t take all the king’s men, you can do it yourself. I’m assuming there is some cash flow and some continuing employment for what follows.

Like other challenges, whether it is medical, academic, work or whatever the case, a proper assessment of where you are at is the first step and by recognizing there is a problem is in the forefront and foremost to a solution. An inventory has to be taken of income, living expenses, luxury items, and monthly debt that must be met. If it is a married couple, both have to participate in this process from start to finish to have a chance at any success. A foreign term to many households is the word “budget”. After the eye rolling and plowing through the denials of any existence of a problem a decision needs to be made to address the challenge of being upside down on consumer debt. The alternatives are not pleasant. This single issue of consumer debt has plunged many a marriage into the divorce courts further complicating an already challenging situation. If an individual or a couple can come to grips with saying yes to working out a plan that is a winning point in the first skirmish of this battle.

All the credit debt has to be laid out on say the kitchen table from: the home mortgage payment obligations, all credit cards with balances, utility bills, cable bills, cell phone bills, water and sewer bills, garbage bills, club memberships, spas, book clubs, day care requirements, lawn service, health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, maintenance contracts, gasoline cards, auto repair bills, auto insurance, school supplies and expenses, internet service, magazine subscriptions, team sports and leagues, recreational activities, vacation plans, 401(k) and IRA status or other retirement accounts, religious donations and pledges, charitable contributions, your current with holding exemptions for income tax and any other type of expenditure that is made on a monthly or yearly basis. From this step you can start prioritizing each expenditure by establishing separate piles and stacks of bills from the most important to the least important. In most cases the mortgage payment obligation will be in the highest priority pile then home utilities. Everything else would be secondary, otherwise, you may be moving soon. The credit cards would be stacked in a pile and by priority other stacks may be separated as well. All this information needs to be listed on a sheet with due dates with balances and required payments. The customer service numbers need to be listed along each item together with the account numbers. It is here that brutal honesty must prevail on what absolutely must be paid. If there are children involved and can be included in the discussion then all the cards must be laid on the table. They will figure it out by themselves soon enough. It will be an important life lesson for the future when they have the opportunity to start making their own way and have credit choices to make. The vision of the pile of bills stacked on kitchen table will be a strong example if credit privileges are abused. Likewise, when this situation is turned around the children can feel a real sense of accomplishment, as they were part of the process to a winning resolution.