A comprehensive, in-depth loop at all things personal loans in Grand Rapids Michigan
When times are tough and cash is strapped, a personal loan can provide tremendous financial freedom. Since life likes to throw us a few curveballs from time to time (or maybe hardballs are more accurate), there will come a day when we all need a helping hand.
Yet, when it comes to personal loans, there’s a lot of misinformation out there about the process. Researching personal loans in Grand Rapids, MI doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Rather, it can be a smooth and easy process if you can foresee the required steps.
Below, we’re going to help you crunch the numbers, see what to look out for, prepare the paperwork, and settle into a new level of financial freedom. Ready to take some of that weight off your shoulders?
Checking your pre-approved rates from top lenders in Grand Rapids Michigan with eMIloans is free, fast, doesn’t affect your credit score. This will help you find the best personal loan option available. It’s sort of like getting a second opinion from another doctor. By receiving multiple tailored offers, you’re in a better position to secure the best rate.
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There are a few bits of data to consider in this first step. Start by being realistic about what you need. It’s important to stay realistic here because borrowing more than you need won’t really help you in the long run.
One place to start is by using a personal loan calculator. Here, you’ll input the loan amount, the number of months in the loan, and the interest rate.
With this information, a good calculator will generate your estimated monthly payments, the amount you’ll pay in interest, and (with the interest factored in), the total cost of the loan.
If you haven’t found a lender you’d like to work with yet, it may be difficult to know things like the number of months and the interest rate, but you can start to get an idea by crunching a few different numbers.
Depending on your lender, you may want to keep an eye out for origination fees.
This is an upfront fee that some lenders charge to process a loan application. Typically, these fees are a percentage of the loan, ranging anywhere from 0.5% to 1%.
Then, at the close of the loan, you’ll want to know if there are any prepayment penalties. This will be outlined in your paperwork.
If you’re doing well on your repayments and are in a position to pay off your loan early, keep an eye out (in the terms and conditions) to see if your lender will charge you any penalties for that.
One of the last sets of numbers you’ll want to crunch is your credit score. Your lender will run this number, but it’s always good to enter into new situations armed with information.
There are many free online tools to accomplish this and, depending on your bank, your score may even be available right within your online portal.
At a minimum, it’s encouraging to see a “fair” credit score. But, if yours reads “good” or “excellent,” then you’re in even better shape.
There may be other determining factors, other than your credit score. For example, you may have an excellent credit score but have a high debt-to-income ratio.
So, your other streams of debt may come into play here, i.e., credit card balances, student loans, and home mortgages. Still, don’t let any of this deter you from applying. It’s just, again, nice to walk into these situations armed with the best knowledge.
You’ll also want to know if you’re moving toward a secured loan or an unsecured loan. Secured loans require collateral. So, you may be putting a lot on the line here, like your home, your car, your savings, or other assets.
By doing so, you may also be securing a great, low-interest rate. However, for many, this is quite a daunting proposition. In which case, you may come across a wealth of unsecured loans, too.
Unsecured loans do not require any collateral. Unsecured personal loans in Grand Rapids can be offered in the amounts of $1,000 to $100,000. But, they can also be offered with interest rates of 5.99% to 35.99%. This is why it’s important to make a few different applications and select the best lender.
Before submitting your applications, take a look at each company’s reviews. If you’re considering an application through a traditional bank or credit union, you’ll probably already know a thing or two about their standing.
Yet, there are many online lenders who are perfectly respectable and will offer you great rates. So, just be sure to read the reviews, explore each institution, and take a wise leap of faith before each application.
Another thing you want to see is a fixed rate. That is, you’ll want to have the reassurance of the same interest rate for the lifetime of the loan.
Loans with variable rates are subject to market fluctuation. Their interest rates can change over time and you just don’t know if the pendulum is going to swing in your favor or not.
Actually, you’ll have to share quite a bit of personal information. The most important personal data you’ll almost be guaranteed to supply is this:
If applying online, be prepared to upload a copy of your driver’s license (as proof of identity and residence) as well as your latest pay stub. It wouldn’t hurt to also secure last year’s tax return. Again, you know what they say about coming armed.
But, even before you get to all that, you’ll have to supply the “why.” Most, if not all, lenders will ask what you intend to use the loan money for. Here are some of the most popular uses.
This is one of the most common uses for a personal loan. If you have debt across a few different credit card companies, it’s often nice to consolidate multiple monthly payments into one payment.
If you secure a nice interest rate from your lender, you may be looking at a lower total debt. This will deliver major cost savings in the long run.
Life is full of unexpected emergencies, isn’t it? This can include a wealth of different scenarios. Perhaps your car needs a major repair or your home needs a new HVAC unit.
Perhaps you or a family member has run into legal trouble. Or, worst of all, perhaps someone’s fallen into bad health and the medical bills are mounting.
No matter the surprise emergency, know that this is another common reason to seek out small personal loans in Grand Rapids.
If you’ve ever been through a move, you know the expense can be astronomical. From supplies to the truck, to security deposits, to new furniture, the cost of a move can go through the roof.
So, a small personal loan with a low-interest rate can help you manage all your expenses from one pool of money. And, once you’re settled into your new home, you can start repaying.
Weddings, funerals, retirement parties… these are all viable reasons for securing the best personal loans in Grand Rapids, MI.
Since these events can advance into the tens of thousands of dollars, a personal loan is often a solution for the many needs that come with a large event.
This one is quite self-explanatory, of course. Even in light of COVID, some folks are still traveling abroad and these trips often come with a hefty price tag.
Instead of putting it all on a credit card (which may have a significantly higher interest rate), a small personal loan may be just the ticket.
You can also list household expenses. The cost of a new kitchen or bathroom may be worthwhile to the total equity of your house, but it’ll still cost you a pretty penny upfront.
If you don’t have the liquid capital, a personal loan can help you make these home improvements without taking out a home equity loan (which is often a secured loan that requires collateral).
There are a few circumstances that are generally rejected from personal loan applications. For example, taking out a personal loan for college tuition will probably be denied.
Lenders who dole out student loans tend to have a lot more protection than those who lend out personal loans. So, they’re not likely to want to go this route with borrowers.
Anyway, a student loan may come with a lower interest rate than a personal loan. So, you, too, wouldn’t win by going about it this way.
Of course, illegal activities will probably go unaided, as well. So, don’t plan on starting any illegal business ventures with a personal loan.
On a more positive note, though, if you were hoping to secure a loan for a legal business venture, you’d probably want to seek out a business loan anyway.
Finally, don’t try to ante up at any of the casinos with money derived from a personal loan.
Securing funds to further ingratiate yourself into the tenuous world of risk (and little reward) will almost never pan out well and you’d be hard-pressed to find a lender who would consider such an attempt forgivable.
Once approved for any of the above needs, be sure to review the terms and conditions very carefully. Keep in mind everything we’ve discussed here, including an unsecured loan, a fixed rate, and (hopefully) a low-interest rate.
If you like what you see, the loan money is typically deposited directly into your checking account. This can take anywhere from a couple of days to a week. Then, you can begin doling out the money for any of your extenuating circumstances.
Take note of when your first payment is due. We recommend setting up autopayments for each monthly statement. This will ensure you never miss a payment.
Sometimes, lenders are generous enough to offer a slightly lower interest rate if you lock in autopayments.
Going paperless may also be a benefit to you. Regardless of these perks, autopay and paperless communication are two wonderful ways to streamline the process.
When you’re ready to begin your research for the best personal loans in Grand Rapids, MI, allow us to do the legwork for you. Why apply to multiple lenders when you can secure the best rate in one, fell swoop? Here at MI Loan, we’ve partnered with the best-unsecured loan lenders in the state.
With one easy application, we can connect you with an ideal lender. Our partners specialize in lending to all people, no matter their circumstances in life. Then, you will receive customized loan offers in real-time, tailored to meet your specific needs.
We also take pride in being able to say that we never charge you, the consumer, a fee. You’ll find our process is clear and transparent because we want to provide our fellow Texans with the financial services they deserve.
Get pre-qualified today with our simple form. By answering a few questions, you can get a better sense of the personal loans you’ll be eligible for. Best of all, this pre-qualification portion won’t affect your credit score at all.
We’re here to link you with the best partner and allow you to experience new financial freedom, starting today.