Think Before Taking Out A Secured Home Loan

| Thursday, December 8, 2011
By Peter Fleetwood


If you want to apply for a secured loan, firstly you will need to have an asset with some positive equity in it. Lenders often ask for equity such as a charge on a property or on a motor vehicle, although other assets may be considered, such as a boat. This can result in lower interest rates as the lender is able to reduce the risk of the loan. In the event that the borrower fails to repay the loan, the lender is able to seize the asset.

If the value of the secured assets is insufficient to cover the full balance of a loan, the creditor can still pursue the borrower for the remaining debt once the assets have been sold. These are highly important considerations that all borrowers should be aware, especially if property is being used as an asset. Defaulting secured loans can leave families homeless, and it is advisable to ensure full repayments are possible before signing any type of credit agreement.

As long as the consumer is aware of the serious consequences of defaulting with their payments, there is little doubt that the secured home loan still remains one of the most cost-effective ways of borrowing large sums of money. The lender assumes a minimal risk because the secured asset allows them some confidence in recouping their money, and this benefit is passed onto the borrower in the form of lower interest rates. On the other hand, the lender has to take on a much larger degree of risk with an unsecured loan - if the repayments are not made and the borrower defaults, it may be impossible to recover the debt. A secured home loan is one of the most affordable ways to pay for many things, including home improvements and holidays.

The wise borrower will consider all aspects of their loan options before choosing the correct personal finance plan for their needs. If it is decided that a loan secured on the family home is the best, then due caution should be applied in several aspects, for example the length of the repayment schedule. A secured loan will result in a lower rate of interest and thus lower monthly payments initially, but an extended loan period could result in a greater sum being paid back overall. The careful consumer will research the total cost of all repayments, in fact the lender must give this information in any formal quotations.

Some borrowers have a county court judgement against them or have a bad credit history for other reasons. This may not preclude them from obtaining a secured loan however, as the security offered by the asset negates some of the risk for the lender. The problem for the borrower here arises if he or she defaults on payments as the asset could be seized and sold on by the lender. Some unsavoury lenders use means to try to appeal to people who would struggle to repay loans so that they can repossess the items being held as security.




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