Archive for the ‘Loans’ Category
Looking professional when applying for a business loan
If you’ve got an idea for a new business, you’ll most likely need to attract investors. You could go on Dragons’ Den and try your luck there, but there’s often an element of humiliation in what transpires. It is first and foremost a TV show, after all.
If you fail to attract investment from a third party, you’re left with two other options. You can try and fund your project off your own back, maxing out credit cards and using your overdraft, or you can apply for a business loan.
The latter is often the better approach, but it pays to be prepared. There is no guarantee that the bank will provide you with a loan. They would prefer to see that you were organised and had a plan. When you make your application, look and act the part.
As well as drawing up a comprehensive business plan, you should also make sure you present yourself as a professional individual, deserving of trust. Dress well and have customised business cards printed out to hand over to show that you are serious about what you are trying to do. If you have gone to a bit of trouble, it shows that you are in it for the long haul and this can do wonders for your chances of getting that loan.
Different Loans from Different Companies
All the different companies doing loans at the moment are all trying to undercut each other but without giving away too much money for low APRs.
All the banks are more wary than ever at the moment, as they do not want to get into the problems that RBS did when they were fiddling with all the funds etc. In my own personal experience Alliance and Leicester are a very good company in terms of customer services. One company you really have to be wary of is Citi Financial, they are a bunch of complete idiots who’s customer services are unlike anything I have ever encountered.
Obtaining Credit in the Credit Crunch
Right now it couldn’t be harder to get credit than ever before while we are in another recession, companies are rolling out the discounts and the current so called “deals” which they have all of a sudden popped out of nowhere, when really they had it in the first place.
There are plenty of places who are willing to give you decent deals on loans but you really have to try and look for the lowest APR, which right now none are low and you could find yourself paying a APR which normally is the rate of a person with bad credit.
A LOAN PROCESS
1. Choosing a Loan Program
The first step in getting a loan is deciding what kind of loan is best for you.
When you apply for a loan, you’ll need to have a program in mind so the lender can prequalify you for a specific interest rate and term (the amount of time you want to spread the payments over). Many lenders used the terms “preapprove” and “prequalify” interchangeably. You can change your mind about your loan program after you apply – but let your lender know as soon as possible.
2. Picking An Interest Rate
The first reaction a lot of people have to this step is to say “the lowest one!” There are other factors to consider and the lowest interest rate may not always be the best way to go.
3. Applying For A Loan
You can apply for a loan after you have already signed a contract to purchase a home or before making an offer, if you would like to have a pre-approved loan before you submit offers.
When you submit your application you will have the option to either lock-in the current interest rate and points for periods ranging from 10 days to 6 months or you may elect to float the interest rate with the market and lock-in at a later date. If you elect to lock-in, the interest rate and points on your loan will be fixed for the period of the lock-in regardless of changes to interest rates in the market either up or down. If you elect to float, the interest rate on your loan will be determined by the interest rates available when you do choose to lock-in and could be either higher or lower than the interest rates available on the day you apply. We recommend careful consideration in making this decision.
When you apply for your mortgage the lender may ask you to pay an application fee. You may also be asked to pay a credit report fee and/or an appraisal fee. The important thing to remember is that these fees may be negotiable so be sure to ask if fees can be waived or reduced.
That’s it! You’re done for now and on your way toward the settlement of your new mortgage, which can occur in as little as 30 days (or less!) at the office of the settlement agent you choose.
4. Getting Pre-Approved
You can be preapproved for a mortgage before you find the house you want to buy. Getting preapproved may make you a stronger buyer in the eyes of the seller because the only step remaining in the mortgage process is to have the property appraised. Also, once you are preapproved you’ll know the maximum price you can afford to offer for a house.
5.Processing the Loan Application
To “process” a loan is to make sure that all of the required documentation has been obtained and checked to ensure the conditions stated in the preliminary approval are met.
Upon receipt of your file, the lender will order an appraisal on the subject property. Within three business days you will be sent a complete set of mortgage disclosure documents by your lender. These documents will include a Good Faith Estimate of settlement charges, a Federal Truth-in-Lending Disclosure, a Mortgage Program Disclosure and other information and documents pertinent to your transaction.. You should carefully review these documents for accuracy; contact your lender directly to answer any questions.
Within the first week after you apply for a mortgage two other events should occur. First, an appraiser hired by your lender should have made an appointment with you or your real estate agent to perform a physical inspection of the property. Second, you should engage the services of a licensed settlement agent to perform the settlement and escrow process. If you have any difficulty with either of these two items, call your lender for advice and assistance.
Once the appraisal, credit report and completed disclosure and documentation package is received, your lender will prepare your loan for submission for final approval.
6. The Credit Decision — Final Approval
The underwriter will review and analyze the processed loan package and either approve, deny or suspend your application for a loan. If mortgage insurance is required for your loan, the underwriter will also submit the loan package to a mortgage insurance company for review. In reaching a decision on your application, the underwriter will take into consideration your income, credit, cash reserves and the property itself.
The underwriting process usually takes less than two days to complete. Oftentimes, buyers want to be approved before they find a property to buy.
7.Funding your loan — A satisfying conclusion
The end of the lending process is usually called “settlement” because that’s when everybody “settles up.” Loan funds are either wired to an escrow account or the lender sends a cashier’s check to the closing agent (in some states this may be a title company, in others an attorney or escrow agent). While at settlement you will read and sign numerous documents relative to the purchase (or refinance) of your property. Several of these documents will be familiar to you as they were provided to you in the initial package you received from the lender. Your settlement agent will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding these documents.
Loans
Here are some of the most common mortgage loans, along with information to help you decide which is right for you.
Fixed-rate: Found a home to live in for 5-25 years then consider this. Stable and predictable, the interest rate is set for the full length.
Adjustable-rate: Starts with a lower initial interest rate, then grows after a set period. May depend on market conditions which will affect monthly payments, however there is a upper limit which helps limit excessive changes in your monthly payment.
Other types are:
- Jumbo loans. These are loans for homebuyers who need larger loan amounts.
- Stated Income/Stated Assets.
- No income/No assets
- Interest Only
Refinancing: This replaces your existing loan with another lower interest rate loan for the same amount. This can save you tons of money when market interest rates drop 1 or more percentage points lower than your present rate. Refinancing can be used to reduce your interest rate, change the term of your loan, or to consolidate your debts.