So, you managed to get out of work. It 7:00 pm and you still got some errands to run before you get home. There’s the dry-cleaning and you have to also get something to eat for dinner. So, when you are done with them, you realize that it is 8 pm and you will probably get home by 8:30 and start eating by 9. You are in the bus, on your way home, filled with luggage and dreaming about the day when you will get to have your own car and when you will no longer have to catch the bus.
Now, it seems impossible for you to continue like this and you make a decision: you are going to get your own car. With the proper determination and will, you decide to dive in and apply for a loan. Here’s what you need to know when you get to the middle of the problem:
Check your credit
You probably have heard this by now, but it is important to remember the fact that the credit score is going to be the key to the amount of money you will have to pay as a rate for your loan. If you haven’t applied for a loan before, it is crucial to remember this fact. The higher the credit score, the bigger the chances for you to get a low car loan rate.
The information you find in the credit score is based upon the information in the credit reports, so make sure that the data revealed by the credit score is as accurate as possible.
Choosing the payment method
This is how you can actually realize the amount of money you can afford to pay every month without restraining your budget. The loans made for cars are usually made for a maximum of 6 years. So, the longer the period on which the loan is made, the lower the monthly rate.
Getting the pre-approval
If you manage to qualify for a loan, you will first get a pre-approval which you will be able to use for a limited amount of time and for a limited amount of money.
Choosing your car
Once you manage to get the pre-approval, you can start thinking about the exact type of car that you want and need, without considering negotiating any financial terms too. Your dealer could beat the terms that have been offered in your loan. If that’s the case, then you should consider taking the offer. However, he might as well try to pursue you to take a longer loan. You will pay less every month, but in the end, you will spend more.
Ending the paperwork
With the final choosing of the vehicle and after negotiating the price, the dealer of the auto department will get in contact with your lender to finalize the sale. They are most likely to try and convince you of taking some add-ons such as extended warranty or paint/fabric protection. Make the thorough research first in relation to all these options, so you won’t feel obligated to make choices you know nothing about under pressure.