Secured Personal Loans - Employ the Right Kind of Finance
Secured personal loans have a history that dates back to
centuries before the advent of modern banks and financial
institutions. Even in the ancient times, borrowers were able to
draw funds only when the lender was given rights to certain
assets. Though a vast change is visible in the lending policy
today, the popularity of secured personal loans sees no decline.
Though homeowners do have the option to take unsecured personal
loans, a majority of the group prefers to have loans the secured
way.
Mere apprehension of losing homes through repossession fails to
motivate borrowers to change loyalties. At least borrowers who
have been regular in credit transactions or had not more than
one or two incidences of bad credit will not put their weight
for loans without collateral. Loans without collateral or
unsecured personal loans do not claim a direct charge on the
borrower's home, but compensate the risk with a very high rate
of interest and equally strict terms. Therefore, while the
safety of home is ensured, the cost of loan rockets up.
It is obvious that the cost of Secured
personal loans is lesser because of the lower interest rates
and less strict terms. When the loan comes over for repayment,
secured personal loans will be easier to repay because of lower
cost involved.
The intention of loan providers who try to influence the
decision of borrowers to take secured personal loans is often
viewed disapprovingly. Lenders prefer secured personal loans
because of the lower degree of risk placed by them. People
interpret this as the lenders eye on their home. Lenders are in
no way interested in repossessing house or any other asset kept
as collateral. Since, repossession, maintenance and liquidation
put a huge cost on the lender, he would better allow the
borrower to himself repay the loan provided. Only in the most
extreme of cases when the loan appears to become a bad debt,
lenders undertake to repossess collateral.
Consequently, the fears regarding secured personal loans are
misplaced.
Advantages of secured personal loans are numerous. Principal
among them is the treatment meted out to borrowers who opt for
secured personal loans. The preference that the secured personal
loan borrowers enjoy is well known. Since the fate of an asset
of theirs is on stake through collateral, not many borrowers
would take the step to be irregular in repayments. Consequently,
the risk involved in secured personal loans is lower. Leniency
in other terms is the result of the reduction in risk.
Interest rate, for instance, is the lowest in secured personal
loans. Typical APR ranges from 6% to 25%. The interest rate
chargeable on any other loan will be much higher. The asset
pledged towards collateral helps determine the APR that the
borrower has to pay. Home and real estate property commands the
lowest APR. Automobiles and title to motor vehicles too command
a good interest rate, albeit higher than in homes.
The collateral offered also determines the amount that can be
had through secured personal loan. Home presents the safest bet
for lenders. Thus, maximum amount will be lent against home. As
a rule, the largest amount is offered through secured personal
loans. When secured personal loan is offered against home, it is
the equity that decides the amount of loan offered. Thus,
borrowers planning to use the loan proceeds to huge expense
heads like debt consolidation, home improvement and car purchase
will be benefited more through a secured personal loan.
Though the repayment options presented to the borrowers of
secured personal loans are no different from that available to
the unsecured loan borrowers, repayment is a relatively smoother
journey for the former category of borrowers. Most lenders will
make the terms of repayment flexible enough to suit borrowers.
Some loan providers have deployed experts to educate borrowers
about the various options that are available to them for loan
repayment. The method used for disbursal of loan will be
suggested after gaining a proper knowledge of the borrowers
financial condition. A proper study indicates if the borrowers'
finances will be able to support the repayment method and the
loan itself.
Secured personal loans do have a few drawbacks. Proper decisions
and accurate planning on secured personal loan however minimise
the impact produced by these drawbacks.