The questions that should be asked about a car loan

Jul 01
2011

It’s a scary thing applying for a car loan especially if it is your first one. These are the kind of questions you should be asking each lender or broker before applying for a loan. Firstly it’s easier to know how much you’re willing to borrow, what type of car you are looking at and you’re stability. Can you afford to take out a loan?

Here are some question you should ask to find out which lender or broker suits your needs and lifestyle:

  • What is the interest rate for a $_____ loan?
  • Is the interest rate fixed or variable?
  • What are the ongoing charges or fees to keep the loan running?
  • What are the fees to pay off the loan earlier?

It is important to proceed with a loan that suits you, as it can create problems in the future example of this can be: not having enough funds in your bank to make a payment or being over committed can put pressure on yourself. The worst that can happen with having issues with repayments is that a default can be created upon your credit history, this can appear even when you are not aware, so it’s best to keep up to date with your repayment.

In future if you again want another loan a lender they may not lend you the money due to late payment they can check this by looking on Veda and getting a copy of your credit file. So before these issues become available it best to ask the questions first before proceeding.

If you ever need to have a chat about your options in taking out a loan please do not hesitate to contact us and one of our supporting staff would be more than happy to assist you with any concerns you may have. You can find us on our website www.natloans.com.au or give us a call on 1300 955 791

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Are you debating whether to purchase a new or used car?

Dec 14
2010

It is quite exciting knowing you will be driving around in a new vehicle, however have you really thought about whether it’s worth purchasing a brand new vehicle? Yes, surely you will be the very first owner, but is it really worth it?

If you have money to spare go for it! These days you can purchase a vehicle that is only a few years old and majority of these cars are as good as new and there are hundreds to choose from (i.e. Mazda 6, Holden Commodore, Toyota Yaris, Honda Accord). At the end of the day each car has the same features and performance levels, the only difference is the price you pay.

Another target market that would suit the category “used cars”, are new drivers. Statistics reveal that young and new drivers have a higher chance of being in a car accident or will bump their car here and there unintentionally. Why pay for a new car knowing that the moment you drive away from the dealer the price will drop a few thousand.

Where to find your next purchase?

The two broad categories you can start searching is either online websites or pop in to your local dealership. It would be ideal to begin at a dealership where you can see a range of vehicles, to choose what model suits you best and this also allows you to see what prices are applicable for each.

Having a few models in mind will guide you in the right direction. If you decide to purchase through a dealer, that is great! But remember to negotiate a price that you are satisfied with, get your moneys worth.

If you choose to buy through a private sale, you will need to undertake extensive research in finding the best option. That is, the right model, color, low kilometers and to check whether the car has been completely paid off from any previous loan.

For more information on what rates and loan terms are currently available contact Natloans on 1300 955 791.

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Budgeting

Nov 16
2010

Budgeting is a vital aspect of financial planning. It aims at focusing on your money issues in order to achieve your goals and ambitions. Saving can be quite difficult these days due to being exposed to new products giving the consumer many options. We must not forget the positives of savings, especially when unexpected situations arise. If you don’t have the cash upfront you may find yourself in a difficult position. This can often result in defaulting your credit file, which may eliminate your chances of being approved for a loan.

This highlights the importance of prioritizing your goals. Remember to budget enough to pay your monthly commitments and anything left over think wisely about what you will do with it and if it is necessary.

Questions to keep in mind:

1)      What are your short and long-term goals?

Start by making a list of realistic goals! Think about where you want to be in 1 year or 5 years down the track and if you will be able to afford the expenses that arise along your journey.

2)      What is your current situation?

Are you currently paying your debts of comfortably or are you struggling? If you find yourself struggling it may be a good idea to seek some professional advice. Making few changes to your lifestyle may help you in achieving your goals.

3)      Do you have an action plan?

When finalizing where you want to be and achieve over the years it is recommended you make a plan on how you will go about fulfilling your goals. Making changes in your lifestyle for instance: cutting down on luxury items, unnecessary outings and other expenses, will make it easier to purchase your dream car or go on that holiday you’ve been awaiting for.

If you can’t come up with a budgeting plan and are unsure about what needs to done a financial planner may be ideal. They aim to guide individuals “finance ideas” in overcoming and preventing cash flow issues. Budgeting is the first step to consider before even approaching a financial for a loan. If you don’t know what your goal is things may get a little tough, however there is always a way around a situation if you seek the right advice.

If you have budgeted accordingly and are seeking finance in the near future Natloans caters to provide the best deals in various products. For more information on what is offered contact Natloans on 1300 955 733 or visit the website www.natloans.com.au

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New Year’s Resolutions

Jul 29
2010

Happy new financial year! Now is a great time to start afresh by reviewing your financial goals and putting strategies into place to achieve them.  If you plan and take action, you could really hit the ground running for 2010/11.  You may have a tax return, or an end of financial year bonus or a new pay increase which can contribute to you achieving these goals.

This applies to whether you looking at upgrading or downsizing in a new car or even refinancing the residual at the end of your loan term. You can do this wisely and prudently if you have a proper strategy and stick to it.

Consider the following tips in getting the best deal possible on your next car:

Cash Up

Try saving your tax returns and bonus towards a deposit in your new wheels.  By doing this you reduce the amount of exposure you have on the goods and make yourself more appealing to the lender. Lenders are conservative and want to know that their risk is reduced if in case the loan goes ‘pear shaped’. By saving a good deposit, you give the lender more of a reason to say ‘approved’.  It shows thought and planning has gone into the process of purchasing the car.  With refinancing of residuals, don’t just accept what the current financier is offering you.  Seeing a broker may add a few extra steps to the process, but it could work out to be a very worthwhile exercise.

Match the loan repayments to your budget

Before you go out looking for a new car, determine what you want to spend in accordance with your monthly budget.  There is no use falling in love with a car that will cost you repayments of $700 per month if you only feel comfortable paying $500.  Be realistic and factor in a “buffer”, that way if your circumstances change, it is still easy to meet the minimum repayments.  Use a budget calculator, spend some time analyzing your circumstances and then make your decision.  There are great deals on all the time, you won’t miss out.

Think outside the interest rate

When you do get the car loan, make a promise to make additional repayments where ever possible.  You may be finding that the loan you are going for may not reward you for extra payments but sting you with fees instead.  Try to get a loan product which enables you to make these additional payments so that when next financial years comes around and you have some extra cash, you can place this on your loan and effectively reduce the amount of interest you pay in the long run for the car loan. Choosing the best car loan requires more than finding the best interest rate.  Features such as the ability to make additional repayments can save you hundreds or even thousands.

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