What is an Installment Loan? [Video Included]

Deciding On An Installment Loan

If you’re “adulting” in today’s world, it’s hard to get around certain realities.

From parenting to full-time jobs, the world of adulthood isn’t for the faint of heart. And while everyday life in and of itself can get overwhelming, there are other aspects of adult life to worry about too, like politics, current events, insurance, and keeping up your credit score.

Increasingly, using credit is a crucial part of American life. Credit is necessary for just about any big purchase, such as buying a home or vehicle. And even if you don’t have to rely on credit for a big purchase, having a good credit score is often vital for renting an apartment or even scoring a job.

But with so many types of credit out there, how is a proper adult supposed to learn about them all?

Power Finance Texas has you covered, with a breakdown of the most common types of loans.

Today..

We’ll be teaching you everything you need to know about installment loans, which are likely the most popular form of loan out there. Read on to get the full scoop on installment loans, so you can determine if they’re right for you.

What Are They Used For?

There are multiple options depending on your specific needs. Whether you are looking to take a trip away without using funds from your savings or wanting to have extra cash for the holidays, installment loans are here to help you when you need them most.

TYPES OF INSTALLMENT LOANS:

Installment loans are commonly used in today’s society.

Some of the most common types of installment loans include:

• Auto Installment Loan
• Personal Installment Loan
• Mortgage Installment Loan
• And More

These loans are usually meant to finance a large purchase, but they can also be used for debt consolidation, building credit, or for smaller expenses.

What Is Not An Installment Loan:

• Payday loan: the type of loan that needs to be paid back all at once in a lump sum, like a payday loan.
• Credit cards: do not qualify as installment loans either because they’re based on a revolving line of credit.

How Does an Installment Loan Work?

Installment loans always have clear terms for borrowing and include a contract to lock into those terms. Such terms include interest rate, loan duration, and penalties for late payments.

These terms differ depending on the lender and type of loan. The terms are also often determined by the credit score or financial history of the applicant. The amount of money being borrowed and the security of the loan will also affect the terms.

For example:

Most personal property loans offer lower interest rates since there is valuable collateral involved (like a house or car).

Qualification & Requirements:

So how do you know if you’re eligible for an installment loan? The specifics may vary depending on the lender, but generally, most installment loans require:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have a steady source of income.
• You must live in the state in which you’re applying for a loan.
• You must provide your Social Security Number and other identification.
• You must have a checking or savings account.
• Check out Power Finance Texas’s installment loan requirement process today.

Application Loan Process:

If you’ve determined that you’re eligible for an installment loan, it’s time to start the application process.

You can begin shopping around online (Power Finance Texas offers you the opportunity to apply online) or go to your local bank or credit union to inquire about their installment loan options. It’s smart to check out a variety of options and compare them to one another before you settle on the right contract for you.

1) Application Process

Once you’ve decided on the lender you’ll be working with, you’ll fill out the application and provide all the necessary qualifications. The lender will take some time to review your loan documents and review your credit score. Some lenders may have this information back to you within hours, and others may take a few days or even a week. (If you’re in a hurry to get the loan, be sure you ask about the turnaround time before you begin the process!)

2) Getting Your Money

After reviewing your application and documents, the lender will come back with a loan offer and contract describing the terms. This is the time to carefully weigh the pros and cons of the particular agreement, as there are usually penalties for backing out of a loan after signing a contract.

If you agree to the terms, you’ll sign the loan and wait for the loan to be processed within a day or two. Once the contract is processed, you’ll likely receive a deposit of the lump sum straight into your bank account, and start paying off the loan as stated in the details of your contract.

Calculating Installment Loan:

For Example:

Let’s say you borrow $1,000 at an interest rate of 15 percent over 24 months.

Divided over the dictated time period, your payment would be $48 per month.

This total would come out to $1,164, meaning you’ve paid $164 in interest for access to the $1,000 you did not have upfront before getting the loan.

The lower the interest rate and the shorter the term, the less interest you’ll accrue over time. For example, if you borrowed that same amount at a 5 percent interest rate, you would only be paying $53 in interest, saving you more than $100.

Though that may seem inconsequential on a small loan of $1,000, think of how these savings compound when you’re borrowing a much bigger chunk of cash!

Pros & Cons:

Now that you understand the basics of what an installment loan is and how it works, you may be weighing the pros and cons of applying for such a loan. Here are some aspects to consider:

Advantages of Installment Loans

The most obvious benefit of an installment loan is that it allows you to make a purchase you may not have otherwise been able to make if you needed all the cash upfront.

• Wide Variety of Contracts: You’re also likely to find an installment loan with terms that work for you. If you need more time to pay off a loan, you’ll probably be able to find a lender willing to write a contract to meet your needs.
• Manageable Payment Plans: This will allow you to whittle down the debt into small, manageable chunks of money over time. As long as you can afford the loan, you’ll be in good shape to secure the purchase you’re after and establish good credit along the way.

Disadvantages of Installment Loans

As with all loans, there are some drawbacks to consider when determining if an installment loan is right for you. First of all, you want to make sure you’re working with a fair and reputable lender. Some contracts indicate severe penalties if you miss a payment, so you want to be sure you know what you’re getting into ahead of time.

• Accruing Interest: Installment loans also mean you’ll be collecting interest along the way. The longer it takes you to pay off the loan, the more interest you will owe. This is why it’s best to find a low-interest rate to help you minimize the total cost of the loan.
• Penalization: Some lenders may penalize you if you pay off your debt earlier than agreed in the contract. Since interest is accruing every month it takes to pay off the loan, it’s wise to pay off the debt as fast as possible. But be sure to read the fine print and avoid a loan that penalizes you for prepaying your monthly dues.

WHEN IS IT BEST TO GET AN INSTALLMENT LOAN?

Installment loans are an excellent option for many situations. If you’re looking to make a worthwhile purchase that will benefit you in the long run, e.g. going to college or buying a home, an installment loan is a great way to fund the cost. To determine if this is a good option for you, you first want to make sure the cost of the loan is manageable with your given budget. Start researching loan options and consider:

• Interest rates
• Loan term
• Frequency of payments
• How soon you’ll get the loan
• Penalties, fees, restrictions, etc.

If you’ve done the calculations and find the loan to be a worthwhile option, go for it! Just be sure to find a reliable lender and understand all the implications of the loan. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions before committing to a loan. Reach out to Power Finance Texas with any questions to make sure you’ll have any easy application process.

CONCLUSION

In exploring the question, “what is an installment loan?” we hope we’ve answered all your questions and provided a good overview of the benefits of installment loans, from the qualifications to the application process.