Four Key Aspects of a Loan
A loan is a sum of money that you borrow from a lender and agree to pay back, plus interest. This is one of the most common ways to finance a purchase or meet an emergency financial need. However, before you apply for a loan, be sure to shop around and consider the pros and cons of different options. You should also take time to understand the four key aspects of a loan: principal, interest rate, installment payment and term.
A person or company can obtain a loan from a bank, credit union, non-bank lender or even a family member. Generally, loans are used for major purchases, debt consolidation, home improvement projects and other expenses. They can also help new businesses grow and expand their operations. Aside from meeting certain minimum requirements, lenders normally evaluate a prospective borrower’s income, credit score and debt levels before making a loan offer.
There are two main types of loans, secured and unsecured. Secured loans require collateral, such as a house or car, to secure the repayment of the loan. Unsecured loans do not require the pledge of any collateral and are typically based on the borrower’s creditworthiness. Some examples of unsecured loans are credit cards and personal loans.
While a loan can be for any amount of money, the most common is a mortgage, which is taken to finance the purchase of a property. There are many other types of loans as well, including student and auto loans. Some people may even take out payday loans, which usually have high interest rates and do not report to the credit bureaus.
When shopping for a loan, the borrower should be aware that the terms and conditions will vary by lender. The terms and conditions will normally outline fees and penalties, as well as indicate if any collateral is required. The borrower should also carefully read the fine print of the terms and conditions to ensure that he or she is comfortable with the agreement.
The loan term is the number of months or years it will take to repay the loan’s principal and fees. The payment amounts will change over the life of the loan, as the share of each payment that goes toward principal decreases as the balance of the loan is paid off.
During the first few payments, most of the total payment will be used to cover interest charges. As the loan approaches maturity, a larger percentage of each payment will be used to pay off the principal.
The loan amortization table is a useful tool for understanding the payment structure of your loan. It will show you how much of each payment will be used to cover interest and the remaining balance. It will also let you see how adding a little extra towards the principal can make a significant difference in the overall cost of your loan. You can use an online loan amortization calculator to get a better idea of how the payment plan for your specific loan works.