There are many reasons to apply for a personal loan, and you don’t owe an explanation to anyone other than the loan company. Even then, you ultimateඣly have the power and freedom to spend the lump sum you receive however you see fit.
Key Takeaways
- When you apply for a personal loan online, you are typically asked the reason for your loan. You’ll usually pick from a list of options, such as debt consolidation, a wedding, or another large purchase.
- The reason why you’re borrowing could impact the terms of your loan, including your interest rate, available repayment terms, potential loan amounts, and more.
- Note that some lenders don’t offer personal loans in certain scenarios. For example, most personal loan companies won’t approve your loan if you plan to use the funds for college tuition.
How Reasoning Affects Your Personal Loan Terms
Some personal loan companies offer better rates and terms for certain loan purposes over others, or they might offer longer 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:repayment terms in specific situations. For example, you might be offered longer repayment terms for a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:home improvement loan than if you apply for a personal loan for 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:debt consolidation. Meanwhile, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:interest rates can also be lower fꦯor home improvement loans and loans for other purposes over debt consolidation loans.
The reasons why terms vary depend entirely on your lender and their approval process, and they can also vary by loan company. For example, at the time of this writing, LightStream offers interest rates as low as a 6.99% annual percentage rate (APR) with autopay. However, the rates differ depending on how you will use the money. For example, a $5,000 home improvement loan starts at 11.19% with autopay, but a debt consolidation loan for the same amount will incur a 12.39% APR.
Common Reasons for Personal Loans
Personal loans are common in a range of circumstances where someone needs a lump sum of cash that they can utilize right away. These loans are usually 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:unsecured as well, 🎃meaning collateral is not required for approv🃏al.
Common reasons for a personal loan include:
- Debt consolidation
- Home improvements
- Wedding financing
- Major home purchases
- Adoption expenses
- Medical expenses
How to Answer Lender Questions 🗹When Applying for a Personal Loan
When you apply for a personal loan online or at a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:brick-and-mortar financial institution, you should be as honest as you can regarding why you want to borrow money. If you need access to cash to pay for a cruise or an all-🌺inclusive resort stay, for♐ example, you would select an option that says something to the effect of “vacation” during the application process if it’s listed. If not, an alternative option that says something like “other” or “financing a large purchase” could work as well.
The same rule applies if you need a personal loan for debt consolidation, a home remodeling project, or financing an upcoming wedding. 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:The lender can deny you your loan if they find out that your application contains incorre🧔ct information.
Is a Personal Loan Right for Me?
Personal loans are popular with consumers for a few reasons, including the fact that they come with 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:fixed interest rates and set monthly payments. These loans also come with a set repayment plan that won’t change, meaning you’ll know upfront how long it will take for your loan to be paid in full.
With all th☂is in mind, a personal loan m𒈔akes sense when:
- You need a lump sum of cash that you can spend: Credit cards offer a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:line of credit that you can use to make purchases, while personal loans offer a lump sum of money that’s sent to your bank account. This makes personal loans a better option for borrowers who need actual cash that they can spend however they see fit.
- The monthly payment for which you qualify is affordable: Personal loans are best for people with predictable incomes who can afford to repay the loan.
- Paying the money back is a priority: If you fail to repay a personal loan, your 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:credit score will suffer considerable damage, and other negative consequences can come into play. Personal loans are best for people who have a concrete plan to repay their loans in full.
Finding the Best Personal Loan for Your Needs
The good news about personal loans is that so many lenders compete for your business. Even better, you can compare all of them online and from home. By taking a look at the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:best personal loan companies, you can figure out which ones have the loan terms and features you wantﷺ the most.
Several factors to c꧑onsider wi🔯th each loan company include:
- Approval requirements: Some lenders list specific approval requirements on their websites, including a minimum income or minimum credit score.
- Convenience: Look for lenders that make it simple to check on your loan and allow you to make payments online or using a mobile app.
- Interest rates: Search for lenders that offer the lowest starting interest rates, keeping in mind that your interest rate will impact your total loan costs the most.
- Additional fees: Check to see what fees may be added, including an origination fee or early repayment fee.
- Monthly payments: Check the minimum monthly payment listed for the amount you want to borrow and make sure you can easily afford it. If in doubt, use a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:personal loan calculator to see how much you would owe each month.
- Pre-approval: Some lenders let you check your rate or gauge your approval odds before you apply, which can give you an idea of the loan terms you can qualify for without a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:hard inquiry on your credit reports.
- Repayment terms: Some lenders let you repay your loan through five or six different repayment plans, whereas others may only offer two or three.
- Time to funding: Finally, check whether lenders offer fast funding in as little as a few business days—especially if you need money quickly.
How Do People Use Personal Loans?
cnjem.commissioned 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:a national survey of 962 U.S. adults between Aug. 14, 2023, to Sept. 15, 2023, who had taken out a personal loan to learn how they used their loan proceeds and how they might use future personal loans. Debt consolidation was the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:most common reas🎶on people borrowe🌄d money, followed by home improvement and other large expenditures.
How to Apply for a Personal Loan
Applying for a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:personal loan can look different depending on 💃which company you go with, but most request the same basic information during the applicatꦓion process. For example, you might be asked to share any of the following:
- Assets you have, including savings and investments
- Citizenship status
- Date of birth
- Driver’s license number
- Employment and income information
- Loan purpose
- Personal details like your full name, address, and phone number
- Requested loan amount
- Requested loan repayment term
- Social Security number (SSN)
- Total monthly housing costs
Once you find a lender you prefer and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:apply for a personal loan, you may be approved in a matter of days (or even sooner). You may also need to suppl🧸y supporting information 💝to finalize your loan application, such as pay stubs from an employer or recent tax information.
What Do You Say When Requesting a Loan?
When requesting a personal loan, be honest and forthright about your reason for taking out the loan. Your reason could include anything from debt consolidation to adding a new bathroom to your home to even buying new furniturꩵe.
What Is the Easiest Way to Get a Loan?
The easiest way to get a loan is through an online lender. Many online personal loan companies make it easy to apply and secure🐈 funding within a few busiඣness days.
Is Applying for a Personal Loan a Hard Inquiry?
Checking your rate with a personal loan company won’t result in a hard inquiry on your credit reports, but moving forward with a full application will.
The Bottom Line
Whether you need to consolidate and pay down high-interest debt, purchase a new computer, or pay for a much-needed vacation, a personal l✨oan coꦛuld be the answer. Comparing loan options, including different rates and repayment terms, is the only way to know for sure.