Comparing fair credit debt consolidation loans and lenders

Every personal loan you evaluate will look a little different, but there are a few variables it always pays to look at. Here are the most important elements to compare when shopping for a debt consolidation loan for fair credit.

• APR: This is the annual percentage rate, or the total cost of the loan
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  each year as a percentage of the loan amount. The APR on a loan includes the interest rate and all fees charged. Using the APR to compare loans instead of just the interest rate gives you a better apples-to-apples comparison, as it includes all the costs of borrowing money.
• Fees: Fees can vary widely from lender to lender. Some debt consolidation lenders don’t charge any, while others may charge application fees, origination fees or late fees. Few lenders charge an application fee, and you’re bound to find one that doesn’t. But be sure to check the origination fee, if one applies. Some lenders don’t charge them, while others charge a percentage of the loan that’s typically deducted from the amount you receive.
• Repayment terms: This generally refers to the length of time you have to pay back the loan. The longer the term, the lower your monthly payment — but the more you’ll pay in interest. Lenders typically offer terms that can be as short as one year or as long as 12.

Pros and cons of debt consolidation loans for fair credit

All financial products have advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to weigh the benefits against the costs when deciding if a debt consolidation loan is right for your situation.

Pros of debt consolidation loans for fair credit

• Single, fixed monthly payment — When you take out a debt consolidation loan, you pay off all of your credit card and other personal debt and replace it with a single new loan. Some lenders will even pay creditors directly with a debt consolidation loan. Debt consolidation loans typically have fixed interest rates, so the amount you pay each month won’t change for the life of your loan.
• Lower interest rates — A personal loan used for debt consolidation generally has a lower interest rate than credit cards, so you may save money by consolidating your debt.
• Lower risk — Debt consolidation loans are typically unsecured, meaning you don’t have to stake your home or other property as collateral for the loan. Other options, like home equity loans, do require collateral, meaning you may risk foreclosure if you’re not able to keep up with your payments.

Cons of debt consolidation loans for fair credit

• Harder to qualify for good terms — With fair credit, you may have fewer choices for a debt consolidation loan, depending on your specific credit score. You may not be offered the interest rate and loan terms you’re hoping for.
• Higher interest costs — Debt consolidation loans are cheaper than credit cards, but they do often have higher rates than secured loans, like a home equity loan or HELOC. You may have debts at lower interest rates that wouldn’t make sense to consolidate.
• High fees — Debt consolidation loans for fair credit ount of money you receive after taking out the loan. You might be able to avoid these fees if you can improve your credit.

Alternatives to debt consolidation loans with fair credit

If you want to consolidate debt, a debt consolidation loan isn’t your only option. Here are a few others to consider.

• Balance transfer credit card: With a balance transfer credit card, you can transfer the amounts you owe on several different cards, leaving you with a single payment. Many of these cards have a low introductory interest rate — sometimes even 0% — for a short period of time. But www.rapidloan.net/installment-loans-ut/ watch out for fees — balance transfer cards typically come with a fee of 3% to 5% of the amount you transfer. And if you aren’t able to pay off your full balance by the time the introductory period expires, you’ll start accruing interest at the card’s regular rate.