Tuesday, December 17, 2013

The Hidden Costs of Auto Loans


The only way in which you can guarantee that you get a good deal on your auto loan in Atlanta is by finding out as much as you can about auto loans in advance. That's right, the more time you spend researching on auto loans before actually applying for one, the better the chances of not only your application getting approved but also of you getting a much better deal.


Most lenders will only lend you money based on your credit score and this score will also go a long way in determining the interest rate you will be charged. If you can get a hold of your credit score before applying for a loan, you will have a better idea of how much money you can ask for and will also be able to negotiate a lot better.


Going over your credit score is very important before applying for an auto loan. You can get a copy of your credit score from one of three agencies in the United States, Equifax, TransUnion or Experian.

The biggest incentive that most lenders offer is a 0 % interest loan. But this isn't what it looks like. This is where you will benefit from using a loan calculator. You want to see how much you will end up paying against a loan during its tenure and how much this will translate to in terms of monthly payments. Never ever blindly believe what a lender tells you. Always go into details to see what it is they are trying to hide from you. You can trust me; there is always something they are trying to hide.


One more thing you can do is to set aside a budget for your purchase. This does not only mean keeping aside a little money to use as down payment. It also means determining how much money you can afford to keep aside on a monthly basis to repay your loan. Never take a loan where the monthly installments are higher than you can handle. This will only cause you financial difficulty and may even cause you to lose your car. It will help if you can set your budget before starting to search for a car as this will ensure you only choose a car that fits your budget instead of choosing a car that is too expensive.


As far as finding lenders is concerned, it won't be too much trouble. There are quite a few lenders on the internet who will be more than willing to lend you money. It is important that you compare quotations from a few lenders before making a decision though. Some lenders may offer you better deals than others. You have every right to take advantage of this. At the end of the day, you will be paying for every penny you borrow. You deserve to make sure you're getting the best deal before making a commitment.