Tag Archives: years
Student Loan Consolidation
Student debt consolidation is the process of consolidating several types of loans into one debt. This results in reduced monthly payments- which results in a lot of saved money in the long run. Consolidation loans will have fixed rates- giving you an added benefit on saving to recover your debt.
Such services can be obtained by American Education Services consolidation- or AES for short. You can save up to 50% on your bill with this service- a very good value indeed. ACS consolidation is also available- and is much like AES in terms of how it works. Federal consolidation and Network consolidation also work in nearly the same way- giving you many choices. Not only can you save a good deal of money on your bill- but you get the added benefit of having just one bill a month- not several. This can reduce stress and let you route your energy to other problems, instead of worrying about which bills you should pay.
You can generally choose debts that will last 10- 30 years generally. You may get lower payments, but the total amount to be paid will be higher in the long run. It has been debated as to whether the government should allow such consolidation among the Federal consolidation service only. This would put some banks and companies at a loss, such as the AES consolidation or ACS consolidation, but may be better for students in the long run. Federal consolidation has a very good rate- and is often better than banks or other companies can do. You will also not encounter hidden fees or tricks- making Federal consolidation an easy choice. This isnt always the best way to go- as some companies actually do have lower rates. But make sure you get a second opinion before you decide on anything for certain.
With such consolidation, you can lower you monthly payments. However, you will want to debate the decision, as you will end up with 10- 30 years worth of debt to be paid. The consolidated debt into one bill can be less stressful, but often this is a small benefit when considering long term effects. You may wish to pay separate bills and have the freedom of paying off your student debts as fast as you can- certainly much faster than 10-30 years worth of debt.
If you are looking into student loan consolidation- make sure you look at your options first. Rushing into student loan consolidation can put you into a huge debt that will take you many years to recover from. If you are on the verge of bankruptcy, or desperately need the money, consolidation is the best choice for you- but keep in mind you will be paying your decision off for many years to come. If you are looking to simplify paying your bills, this is probably a bad choice- and this decision shouldnt be taken lightly. You should talk to a consolidation broker, or ask help with your bank for more information to see if this is right for you.
Refinance or Loan Modification
Foreclosure is definitely one of the hardest things anyone has to face. Imagine losing your home, a place your children grew up in, and the place you thought youd have for years to come. The economic situation in the entire country has left families and individuals homeless and others are on the verge of losing it all.
For the families and homeowners who still have time to save their homes, there are two solutions that might just save your home Refinancing and Loan Modification.
The complexity of the foreclosure problem means that there are differences in each loan or mortgage. The circumstances of the delinquent borrower are also factors in deciding which solution is best for you. However not all applicants will get approval for refinancing or loan modification.
Which would be best? There is no exact answer to this question because every mortgage is different so what may be better for your neighbor might not work for you. However, each of these solutions has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Refinancing:
In a refinancing strategy, your old loan is replaced with a new one where terms are changed to one you can handle and pay. For example interest rates can be lowered or payment terms extended from 15 years to 30 years. This is seen by many as a more permanent solution compared to modifications.
While there are various advantages to refinancing mortgages, there are also challenges in the strategy. You have to pay for closing fees to your new lender that can be quite a huge amount for a family already facing foreclosure. Its also difficult to get approval because of a lot of requirements you have to meet. Declining market value for your property, for instance is a major no-no. A property appraisal is required in your application. Underwater mortgages are almost immediately denied. Loss of income is an automatic red flag for your potential lenders as well.
Loan Modification:
Loan modification is more forgiving in that it takes the delinquent lenders hardship into consideration. In some cases, the lender can lower the principal it self to reflect the decreased market value of the property. In negotiating new affordable monthly payments, lenders will consider your living expenses so you can pay your mortgage but still have money to pay your utilities. Loan modification also helps you keep your credit score where it is.
Another advantage is that while processing your loan modification, the foreclosure process is halted and you get another chance to keep your home. In the new government loan mod program, desperate borrowers are counseled by financial experts so they can avoid getting into foreclosures in the future.
There are only a few disadvantages to loan modification. Many of the lenders do not offer the government loan mod program (HAMP) but they have their own in-house strategies. Borrowers can only apply to the program if they can prove their hardship like a loss of family, loss of income, etc. Lastly, the borrower cannot increase the loan and take out equity.