A credit consolidation loan in Victoria, BC, provides an individual with a lump sum of money to pay off their current eligible debts and make one payment on the loan. The result after the loan is a single payment on a debt that carries a lower interest rate than high interest credit cards, car loans, or other personal loans or lines of credit.
While a credit consolidation loan may seem like the ideal choice for anyone in Victoria, BC, this is not the case. Understanding this option’s benefits and possible downsides will help you determine if this is something to consider.
Credit Score and Loan Qualifications
Obtaining any type of personal loan or even a home equity line of credit depends on several factors. A key factor in any debt consolidation loan is the ability to qualify for the loan.
People with debt problems often have several missed or partial payments on their credit report. They may also have a high debt-to-income ratio, multiple high usage credit cards, and a number of hard credit checks, all leading to a low credit score.
Working with a consumer credit counseling service when the debt first becomes an issue of concern helps people in Victoria, BC, understand their options. They can also apply for a debt consolidation loan before their credit score is too low to qualify for a loan.
Interest Rates
A credit consolidation loan is only a consideration if the interest rates are lower on the loan than on the current debt. Calculating this can be challenging, as most credit cards, loans, and other debt have different interest rates.
Finally, it is essential to have a budget when taking out a debt consolidation loan and ensure you make loan payments on time. It will also be crucial to avoid adding to the existing debt by continuing to use high interest credit cards during the loan repayment process and in the future.