Tag Archives: co-signer
Homeownership Can Boost Your Approval Rate
Regardless of the loan type you are applying for, you can get a boost on your approval rate if you are a homeowner. Homeowners have better chances of getting approved for home loans, home equity loans but also for unsecured personal loans, student loans, car loans, business loans and many other loan types.
The reasons for this can be explained analyzing the effects that homeownership has on the loan terms and requirements for approval. There is a variable that is greatly modified by homeownership which has important incidences on all loan terms and requirements: the risk of default for the lender in the financial transaction.
Risk Of Default And Approval
The approval process is ruled by the lenders fear of default: The higher the risk of default, the lower the chances of getting approved. In the event of default, the lender is actually loosing his investment because there are little chances of recovering the money unless the lender has sufficient assets to compensate for the loses.
The risk of default and approval are thus, greatly related. If the applicant can provide any aid to reduce the risk of default, the lender will be significantly more comfortable at lending the money that the borrower needs. Thus, it is important to know which modifiers can reduce the risk of default and boost the chances of getting approved.
Consequences of Homeownership
Along these modifiers we can analyze various options: collateral, simple homeownership, down payments and a co-signer. Collateral provides the best form of guarantee as it is a particular asset that is used for security of a loan and the lender can take legal action of repossession in the event that the borrower defaults on the loan.
A down payment is useful for certain secured loans that already have collateral but the risk of default is still high. Then, the borrower offers a certain amount of money that has already been set aside by him, so as to reduce the amount of money needed to purchase the home or the car and thus, leaving the property with a higher amount of equity left. The property guaranteeing the loan is then worth more than the debt it is guaranteeing.
A co-signer is obliged to repay the loan along with the main applicant and thus provides an additional guarantee for repayment. This is also associated with homeownership. If both the applicant and the co-signer are homeowners, chances of getting approved are greater as the lender has additional properties to obtain repayment from in the event of default.
Finally, we have reached the modifier that can provide a great risk reduction without too many hassles. Simple homeownership provides a reduction on the risk involved in any financial transaction regardless if the property or properties are used as collateral for the loan. This is due to the fact that all of the applicants assets guarantee in a way the repayment of the loan. All the assets legally guarantee any debt that the owner may have and thats the reason why a co-signer who is also a homeowner provides an additional guarantee and lowers the risk even more: He does not only provide an additional income but also, an additional real estate guarantee or guarantees.
The Risks Of Co-signing for a Bad Credit Loan
Lenders who offer bad credit loans usually require the applicant to have a co-signer. Many people who have imperfect credit history ask their friends or relatives to help them get their loans approved by co-signing the contract.
Have you been asked to co-sign for someone? If yes, have you considered the possible risks involved with being a co-signer? Are you clear about what your duties and responsibilities would be as a co-signer? What can you to protect yourself as co-signer? In this article, lets answer these questions one at a time.
Possible Risks Associated with Co-signing Co-signing a loan for another person means that you guarantee that he/she is capable of the loans repayment. With this assurance, you agree to take over the repayment obligations in the event that the primary loan holder defaults.
Unfortunately some people immediately sign-up the contract without first reviewing the Terms and Conditions or without a clear arrangement with the primary loan holder. Take note that as a co-signer, your personal credit history can be damaged in case there are problems with the loan holders repayment.
Some lending companies will only try to get in touch with the co-signer after the primary loan holder defaults. However, the damage has already been done to your own credit. You may also be taken by surprise that you are now accountable for the loan holders debts.
Some co-signers also found themselves in the middle of a messy situation. By the time you need to apply for your own loan, you may find it difficult to get an approval. Lenders may see you as a “risky” client because you are already responsible for another loan. Although, it isnt directly under your name, you are still responsible for its repayment in case of default.
On the other hand, if the lender feels that you are still capable of taking on a new loan, you may get an approval. However, if your credit rating has been pulled down due to someone elses late payments, you may not qualify for the best rates from your lender.
Thus, the best advice to remember before co-signing a loan is to treat it as if its your own. If you are not sure whether you can keep up with its repayment, then it would be safer not to co-sign the loan.
Co-signer How to Protect Your Own Credit If you are willing to co-sign, the best way you can protect your personal credit and reputation is to closely monitor the primary loan holders payments. Request the lending company to send you a copy of the monthly notices or updates so you can be immediately made aware if the loan holder falls late with the payment.
Evaluate the Terms and Conditions with the loan holder. Make sure that the person you are co-signing for is clearly aware of his/her obligations. If you have any concern, dont be afraid to discuss the matter with your friend. Make an agreement with your friend and ask him/her to talk to you about anything that concerns the repayment. After all, it is your credit and finances that is also on the line.