Low Interest Debt Consolidation Loans – Getting A Low Rate

13 May 2010

Low Interest Debt Consolidation Loans – Getting A Low Rate

Low interest debt consolidation loans can help you pay off your debt sooner. For the lowest rates use your home equity to secure a loan. You can also find personal loans that will reduce your interest payments. Otherwise, transfer your credit balance to a new credit card account that offers 0% interest on transfers.

Home Equity Loans

Home equity loans offer low interest rates because they are secured with your property, reducing the chances of you defaulting. You can opt to cash out your equity by refinancing or applying for a second mortgage or line of credit.

Refinancing can cost thousands in upfront fees, buy they can offer you overall lower payments. Second mortgages and lines of credit usually cost zero to a couple of hundred of dollars to open, but their rates are higher than a traditional mortgage.

Personal Loans

Personal loans offered through banks and other financial lenders can also help you consolidate debt. These types of loans are based on your credit score and cash assets. Since these are unsecured loans, rates are higher. However, when compared to credit card rates, they are significantly lower.

Credit Card Transfers

You can also open a credit card to take advantage of 0% or low interest rates on transfer balances. These types of offers are introductory, so expect rates to jump in six to twelve months. In the meantime, you can start paying down debt while rates are low. At the end of the introductory period, you can open another account or look for a long term loan with low rates.

While transfers are attractive, they do carry risks. You should read the terms to be aware of any fees charged for transfers. Also, guard against racking up more debt by closing old accounts. This will also help your credit score in the long term.

Shopping Loan Rates

No matter what type of loan you choose to use to consolidate your debt, be sure to research rates. By comparing offers, you can save thousands in interest charges. Most lenders post their rates online for easy access. Be sure to read their terms as well to make sure you dont get caught on fees.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

Credit Card Interest Rates – APR

12 January 2010

Word Count:Article Body:
As you are most likely already aware that credit card interest rates can be very high with rates of 30% annually, depending on your credit history and credit card issuers are getting more and more diligent watching for late payments and over limits and may raise your interest rates and lower your credit limit because of it.

The annual percentage rate (APR) is the interest rate you will pay if you carry over your balance from month to month, take out a cash advance, or transfer balances from another credit card. If your like most who sometimes may carry over a balance each month, you should be more interested in a credit card that carries a lower interest rate, but the lower interest rate means you need a good credit score. Credit card companies may charge a yearly fee in addition to the interest rate. Many card issuers, including most of the largest credit card issuers, have started lowering interest rates to below the 18 to 19 percent levels that were common through most of the 1980s and early 1990s.

If you have unpaid balances from previous months, there may not be a grace period for your new purchases. The grace period can help you avoid finance charges by paying your balance in-full before the due-date. There is usually one annual percentage rate (APR) for purchases and another for cash advances (usually the highest), and yet another for balance transfers.

The Federal Reserve System surveys credit card companies every six months andhas a easy to understand explanation of commonly used credit card terminology, and a survey of major credit card companies which is updated twice a year. The Federal Reserve plans to require credit card companies to give consumers at least a 45 day notice before they can raise interest rates and to provide clearer info on the fees. The Federal Trade Commissionalso explains credit card terminology but also has information on where and how to file a complaint.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts