A Quick Cash Loan could be an option when you need fast funds. If you are thinking about a cash loan, it will be important to compare your loan options and lenders!
Wondering why you should do so or how to get started? Below you will find more information on comparing cash loans and lenders—information you can use for almost any loan type. You will also find some examples of cash loans and alternatives.
Why Is It Important To Compare Lenders Before Taking Out a Loan?
Comparing your loan options and lenders is extremely important, regardless of whether you are borrowing from mortgage lenders, personal loan lenders, or cash lenders. This is because there may be several differences. For example, you may find operational differences between banks, credit unions, or private lenders.
To find the best option for your financial needs and budget, comparing lenders is essential! This is especially important with long-term loans, such as mortgages, because you could be working with them for decades.
How To Compare Lenders for a Cash Loan
There are a few things you should do when trying to compare lenders; here are some factors you may want to consider:
The Lender’s APR
The APR with a loan encompasses the entire cost. This includes interest, origination fees, etc. Because of this, it is extremely important to pay attention to APR before deciding on the loan and lender you want to go with. APR is expressed as a percentage rate; the actual amount you pay will depend on how much you borrow. The lower the APR, usually, the lower the loan cost.
The Monthly Payment on the Loan
The monthly payment on your loan will typically be based on the principal amount and interest rate. It is important to find a loan option/lender that offers a monthly payment that is affordable for your budget. When looking at cash loans, remember that they usually need to be repaid in a single payment, so make sure that single payment is affordable. If you do have monthly payments, they should be manageable for your budget. But, they shouldn’t be so low that you are paying much less than you could—as it may increase the overall cost of borrowing funds.
The Interest Rate Your Lender Is Giving You
The interest rate may be determined by the lender you work with, your credit score, income, and your ability to repay the loan. Interest is likely the highest cost you will get with a loan, so it is crucial to ensure you pick a lender that gives a competitive rate.
Flexibility With Loan Terms and Repayment
Flexibility with repayment and loan terms is another essential factor you need to consider when choosing a lender. When it comes to repayment and loan terms, flexibility is crucial. For example, let’s say your financial situation changes during repayment. Without a flexible lender, you may not get any accommodation, even if it is for a short period of time. Another common situation is paying off the loan early to save on interest. However, not all lenders may allow for this without a large early payment penalty. And so, you should really think about that when choosing a lender for your cash loan.
How Easy the Application Process Is
Although most cash loans tend to be pretty straightforward, some lenders make things smoother than others. For example, lenders that offer an online application process may be much more convenient, not just for the application process but also if you need to contact them. So keep that in mind when trying to choose a lender for your loan.
Different Types of Lenders for Cash Loans
When beginning the search for a cash loan, it will be helpful to know about the different types of lenders out there. Here are some categories/lender types you may find:
Depository Institutions
Depository institutions allow people to store their money, potentially earning a small amount of interest. These places also offer loans to existing banking customers and non-customers alike. Banks and credit unions are examples of depository institutions. When trying to get funding from these places, you’ll likely need to have Good credit.
Private Lenders in Person
Private lenders who operate in person are another place you can look at if you need a loan. These places usually offer longer hours than depository institutions and are usually more flexible with credit scores for borrowers.
Private Lenders Who Operate Exclusively Online
Another place to find loans is through private online lenders. These will likely be the most flexible from other lenders. Also, because these lenders don’t have the costs that brick-and-mortar lenders have, they may be able to pass those savings onto customers.
Credit Card Lenders
Many credit cards have cash withdrawal options, so even though you may not think of credit cards when looking for cash loans, credit card lenders can work for that purpose. Just make sure you do some research and know how to use credit cards wisely before deciding to take out any.
Indirect Lenders
Indirect lenders offer a connection service for borrowers. Usually, instead of being a lender themselves, they work with a group of lenders and help borrowers connect with them. Although this may seem like less work on your part when searching for lenders, these lenders may not have the best interests of the borrower in mind.
Direct Lenders
Direct lenders give out loans themselves, they are the most common, and you have probably come across them if you have looked for a loan before.
Some Examples of Cash Loans
It may be helpful for you to get a list of cash loan options. Here is what you will likely come across when beginning the search for a cash loan:
Payday Loans
Payday loans are extremely short-term loans that make a small amount of money available for borrowers. Usually, there is no credit check, and you need to show proof of income and some basic identification documents.
Payday loans can quickly lead to a cycle of debt because of their high costs and the short repayment period. And so, you may want to avoid payday loans if possible.
Cash Advance Loans
Cash advance loans are usually a kind of Single-payment loan that offer a small amount of cash to borrowers. Before taking one of these, pay close attention to the due date and APR. Many people gravitate towards these types of loans when they don’t have the best credit; however, these loans may be costly.
Credit Card Cash Advances
Credit card cash advances can be borrowed against a credit card’s credit limit. This cash option may be accessed with most credit cards. If you already have a credit card you can use, then you likely won’t have to go through an application process. Funds can be withdrawn from an ATM, bank, or credit union. Although convenient, credit card cash advances can be expensive! They usually come with a higher interest rate than that same card’s credit transactions and interest starts to accrue immediately. Additionally, funds likely have to be paid back fairly quickly to avoid accumulating too much credit card debt. So keep all of that in mind if you are considering a credit card cash advance.
Merchant Cash Advances
Although merchant cash advances are technically not the same type of traditional cash advances from above, they do serve a similar purpose for business owners. Businesses that need extra money for expenses can apply for merchant cash advances for funding. The way these loans work is different from most other loan products. Merchant cash advance lenders will pay attention to credit and debit card transactions for eligibility and loan amount rather than credit score. Once borrowed, the funds can be repaid on a daily or weekly basis, depending on cash flow. If you are a business owner who doesn’t have business credit and needs extra cash, a merchant cash advance may be an option. Just do some research on the pros and cons before jumping on it.
Steps You Should Take Before Taking Out Any Loan
Before you take out any loan, it is important that you take a closer look at your financial situation. This will help you figure out what kind of loan is best and whether a loan is right for you at all. Here are some things you should think about:
Check Your Credit Score and Credit Reports
Your credit scores provide lenders with an idea of what kind of risk they are taking when lending funds. Your interest rates and loan terms will largely be influenced by your credit history and scores, and so it is extremely important you know what that looks like for a few reasons.
One reason is that you’ll want to check for any mistakes and correct them. Mistakes on your credit reports can happen, and if you don’t fix them, they may count against you. And so, it will be vital to check your reports and correct any mistakes before you apply for a loan!
Another reason you should check your credit scores and reports is to figure out what your loan options are. Those with the best credit scores and positive payment history could get the most options of lenders and loan types. While those with bad credit may turn to non-traditional lenders. Once you have an idea of what kind of financial situation you are dealing with, you’ll know where to begin your search, which can save you a ton of time.
Think About Why You Need the Money
Another thing to consider is why you need the money. Some loans are best suited for specific uses and sometimes can only be used as such. For example, a mortgage loan can only be used to finance the purchase of real estate and is optimized exactly for that. While something like a personal loan may be pretty versatile. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and hassle by learning about some of the basic loan types and what they are used for.
Ask Yourself if a Loan Is Something You Really Need
Sometimes purchases or expenses aren’t a necessity. If that is the case for you and you can wait without a loan, consider whether you can save up over time. Although you may not get to experience or buy something right away, you won’t have to worry about paying interest and the different costs of a loan or its potential impact on your credit score.
Consider a Realistic Budget
One of the most important things you can do before taking out a loan is to figure out what works for your budget. You never want to take out a loan that has a monthly payment that you cannot afford, as it can completely devastate your financial situation. For example, missing even a single payment on a loan can hurt your credit, and missing multiple can lead to default or a collections account.
Additionally, the last thing you want to do is take out another loan and play catch up with your money. And so, instead of using a loan, consider saving up for a purchase or expense, especially if it can wait.
Think About Whether You Will Want a Cosigner or Co-Borrower
A cosigner and co-borrower are third-party applicants (usually friends or family members). They will need to have good credit and sufficient income. You may add them to a credit application to potentially increase your chances of approval, a better interest rate, and a higher loan amount.
Although this can be helpful, it is important to critically think about a cosigner or co-borrower before asking someone to play that role for you. If you miss a single payment, their credit may be impacted along with yours. And if you cannot pay the loan, they may be responsible for that remaining balance.
Apply for Pre Approval for Comparing Loan Estimates
This is a crucial step with any loan product! When you apply for pre-approval, you’ll get a loan estimate, along with approximate interest rates, APRs, loan repayment, and the monthly payment amount. All of this can be done without a hard credit check—your credit report will not be pulled, which means no impact on scores! By applying for pre-approval with a handful of lenders, it will be easy to compare things and make the best decision possible.
Alternatives to Cash Loans
Cash loans aren’t suited for everyone’s financial situation or needs. The good news is that there are several other different types of loans you can choose from; here are some of the most common ones you may see when searching for extra funds:
Personal Loans
Personal loans may be some of the most versatile loans available. They can come with all kinds of interest rates, repayment terms, loan amounts, and eligibility minimums. Generally, these loans are repaid in steady monthly payments, which many people find helpful with a tight budget. You may get the funds in a lump sum and use them as you need. You can find personal loans with banks, credit unions, and private lenders online or in person.
Mortgage Loans
As mentioned above, mortgage loans are used to finance the purchase of a real estate property. And are usually the best option for financing this type of purchase.
You will likely find a few basic categories with these types of loans. For example you may find different interest rates; you can get an adjustable-rate mortgage or a fixed-rate mortgage. Another example is with the period; you may be able to divide mortgages into either a 15-year loan term or the more common 30-year loan term.
First-time home buyers may have more closing costs, such as purchasing private mortgage insurance or a larger down payment. The annual percentage rate, closing requirements, and eligibility will vary from one lender to the next, so it is essential to compare mortgage rates with different mortgage brokers before choosing a lender you want to work with.
One thing you’ll want to spend extra time thinking about is the monthly mortgage payment. You’ll want to ensure that loan payment is affordable for you, as it will likely be the largest expense you have each month. You may be able to qualify for a mortgage despite bad credit, but you’ll save more money with decent to good credit. So do all you can to improve your credit scores from all three major credit bureaus before mortgage shopping.
Car Loans
Car loans are loan options that help people purchase vehicles. Because these loans are made for this type of specific financing, they are usually the best option if you want to finance a car purchase. Additionally, you may find some unique deals with dealerships that may not be available with traditional lenders.
Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit
Home equity loans or lines of credit allow homeowners to borrow from the equity they have in their homes. Many people choose to invest that money back into their homes by renovating or repairing. One major difference between home equity loans and lines of credit is that with a home equity loan, you will get the funds in a lump sum, while with a line of credit, you can borrow as you need. If you cannot pay back either, you risk losing your home. So, really think about affordability and have some extra savings set up before you decide to take out one of these loans.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are a form of revolving credit that you can borrow from as you need until you reach your credit limit. Although these can be convenient if an emergency pops up, many people struggle with overspending with credit cards. Additionally, interest rates for credit cards are compounding, which can quickly bring up their balances. So really educate yourself on the dangers of credit cards before applying for this option. In most cases, to get a credit card, you will need a decent credit score. However, you may be able to get a small credit limit if you have bad credit.
Business Loans
Business loans may work well for borrowers who are trying to start, grow, or maintain their businesses. The funds could be used for almost any business-related expense and will need to be rapid monthly. The Small Business Administration (SBA)—branching from the federal government—provides SBA-backed loans which can help those who don’t have the best credit. You may be able to find business loans with banks, credit unions, and private lenders..
