Debt Consolidation Loans Explained
You can use a personal loan called a debt consolidation loan to settle high-interest debt, usually credit card debt.
Your reimbursement strategy might be made simpler by consolidating your debt by allowing you to settle one or more credit card amounts with just one loan. Additionally, it can enable you to save time and money, depending on your level of debt and the loan’s terms.
Your unique financial position and your financial goals should be taken into account when determining whether a debt consolidation loan is an appropriate choice for you. What you need to know is as follows.
What Exactly Are Debt Consolidation Loans?
A debt consolidation loan is typically a personal loan used to pay off previous debt. This sort of installment loan includes predetermined interest rates and defined payback terms, typically varying from twelve to sixty months or longer, and is unsecured (i.e., you don’t require security to obtain a loan).
When you obtain a debt consolidation loan, you frequently receive money straight from the creditor, which you use to settle your previous bills. Some creditors may even be paid directly by creditors.
Following that, you will continue to make consistent reimbursements on your debt consolidation loan till it is repaid.
How Do Debt Consolidation Loans Work?
A debtor who wants to combine their debt applies via their bank or another creditor for a personal loan, a credit card with a balance transfer feature, or another consolidation choice. When taking out a debt consolidation loan, the creditor may choose to pay off the debtor’s other debts directly, or the debtor may choose to take the cash and settle the account. The preferred method for combining a cardholder’s current cards is also common among balance transfer credit cards.
The debtor will execute a single monthly reimbursement on the current loan following the reimbursement of the debtor’s existing debts using the current loan Funds. While debt consolidation frequently reduces a debtor’s monthly reimbursement, it does so by lengthening the loan terms of the merged loans. Debt consolidation also simplifies reimbursements and improves money management, especially for debtors who have trouble handling their finances.
Types of Debt Consolidation
There are several forms of debt consolidation because it can be used to handle various types of debt. Here are the several debt consolidation choices to choose from depending on the demands of each debtor:
Debt Consolidation Loan
Personal loans known as debt consolidation loans combine several loans into a single set monthly reimbursement. Most debt consolidation loans allow you to combine up to $50,000 and often have periods of one to ten years.
Ideal for: Borrowers who prefer a simpler reimbursement method.
Credit Card Balance Transfer
When a debtor obtains a new credit card—preferably one with a low base interest rate—and moves all of his outstanding liabilities to it, this is known as a credit card balance transfer. The debtor’s monthly credit card reimbursement may be reduced, as with other forms of debt consolidation, and the interest rate may be lowered, possibly to 0% depending on the credit card you qualify for, which would lessen the total cost of the debt.
Take into account the available interest rates, any transfer fees, transfer deadlines, and the effects of missing a reimbursement when deciding whether or not to move your credit card bills to a new card.
Ideal for: Borrowers who have the means to make prompt credit card reimbursements.
Student Loan Refinancing
Refinancing your student loans may enable you to get a cheaper interest rate if you already hold a high-interest student loan debt. Through consolidation of federal and private student loans, debtors can receive better terms and one set monthly reimbursement.
Consolidating your student loans through refinancing is a terrific choice, but you’ll still need to be eligible. Additionally, you will lose federal benefits and protections, such as possibilities for deferred and income-driven reimbursements, if you restructure federal student loans.
Ideal for: Borrowers having private student loans with high-interest rates.
Home Equity Loan
With a home equity loan, often known as a second mortgage, you can access the equity that already exists in your house. You can normally borrow up to 85% of your property’s worth, less any outstanding mortgage obligations, and most home equity loans have reimbursement terms of five to thirty years.
Since they are backed by your house, home equity loans often have lesser interest rates than credit cards and personal loans. The drawback is that if you don’t make your loan reimbursements, your house could be foreclosed.
Ideal for: Borrowers having a high level of home equity and a steady source of income.
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
A home equity loan that also functions as a revolving line of credit is known as a home equity line of credit (HELOC). With a flexible interest rate, a HELOC permits you to make cash withdrawals as needed. The amount you can take is based on the equity you hold in your house as a HELOC also draws from that equity.
A HELOC is a long-term loan with an average draw period of 10 years, during which you can withdraw money. You can use your credit line during the up to 20-year payback period, but after that, you can’t.
Ideal for: Those who want a longer reimbursement period and who have a large amount of home equity.
Pros and Cons of Debt Consolidation Loans
Consider the upsides and downsides before combining your debt because it is not the best choice for everyone.
Pros
- Increasing one’s credit rating.
If you combine your debt, your credit rating can go up. Your credit usage ratio could decrease if you settle credit cards through a debt consolidation loan, and if the loan enables you to make more on-time reimbursements, your reimbursement history might also improve.
- Lower overall interest.
You can save thousands of dollars on your debt if you can combine many loans with interest rates in the double digits into one with a rate under 10%.
- A simpler method of debt reimbursement.
Paying off several credit cards or loans each month, particularly if they have varied due dates, can be challenging. It is simpler to organize your month and keep up with reimbursements when you take out a single debt consolidation loan.
Cons
- Risk to security.
If you employ a home equity loan or other secured loans to guarantee your debt, such as a HELOC, that security may be seized if you fall behind with the reimbursements.
- Higher potential loan costs.
Your ability to save money with a debt consolidation loan mostly depends on the loan’s structure. For example, you will wind up paying more in interest over time if you choose a longer payback period but have an identical interest rate.
- Upfront expenses.
Any type of debt consolidation may incur costs, such as origination, balance transfer, or closure fees. Before applying, you should compare these costs to any potential savings.
When Might Debt Consolidation Be Beneficial?
If your expenses seem to be under control and your credit rating is excellent enough to be eligible for a more favorable interest rate than you are presently paying, debt consolidation makes the most financial sense. When determining whether debt consolidation is the best choice for you, you need also to take into account your present level of debt. Consolidating your debts could be a wise financial decision if it is manageable, doesn’t consume a significant portion of your gross monthly income, and will require more than a few months to pay off.
