Personal Loans - Too Good To Be True
Mike Smith
A small car outside your cottage, the best education for your child, a memorable wedding for your sister, the best treatment in town for your ailing family member, jewellery for your wife or a big refrigerator and a microwave and an air-conditioner¬ to forget mounting credit card dues&
The solution to these needs, wants and problems lies in finance. Name it and personal loans offer a quick, reasonably easy solution!
Unlike other loans, this loan is a hassle free loan. No clarification, guarantor, security required for this loan! Isnt it too good to be true? The loan can be used for renovating property, marriage expenses, medical expenses, holidays, purchasing consumer durables, higher education etc.
But why a personal loan when there are specialized loan products to meet specific needs? They may not be always helpful.
Let us take the example of one of the most fundamental needs - good education. While an education loan covers the costs relating to your course and the cost of living, your parents may have still needed more cash! Who else would they turn to, but the good old friend-personal loan? You may find it difficult to get a study loan from banks if you plan to do a correspondence course or a part-time one. This loan will help you stick to your plans.
Fast forward. A fairly well-paying job, an educational loan to be paid off. Time to change your second-hand bike for a new car. You will surely not be an ideal candidate for car loans. The possibility of getting a car loan is low even when you settle for second-best, a used-car.
A personal loan will buy you a used car or a new one if your income can justify it. If you fall short of funds for the down payment of the car, (after getting a loan), this loan will help you seal the deal.
Friends, girlfriends, dinners, parties, gifts, designer shirts, a happening social life, all this means mounting credit card bills. Dont fret. It will even take care of your mounting credit card dues in time of need.
Need your own house? While the housing loan will help you get it, you may not have enough funds for the 10-15 per cent down payment that you require to buy a property? Believe it or not, the answer is a PERSONAL LOAN! You can spend on your wedding and then spend on needs such as appliances and jewellery with the help of a personal loan.
Sounds good, doesnt it! Well, there are a few things to keep in mind, about these loans. You get this loan, primarily based on your income. If you have taken any previous loan, the repayment track record along with your employers profile will have a bearing on this loan eligibility. It can also be availed against proof of life insurance policy premium receipts.
There is a catch though. The interest rates on these loans are high (as high as 22-30 per cent in some cases) and the maximum tenure is 60 months or five years.
If you avail this loan for down payment or other expenses, it has an impact on your auto or home loan eligibility as it adds to the expenses.
So, to conclude, this loan is like a magic wand, to be used selectively. Treat the personal loan as a last resort in times of need.
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