If you are struggling through debt, you’ve probably considered debt consolidation as a relief option. Even though a bit controversial, it is a great way to save and get out of debt quickly. While debt consolidation is generally considered to be available only to borrowers with good to excellent
credit score, it is also an option for those with poor credit.
However, borrowers with poor credit should take extra precaution since one wrong move can push them further into debt and damage their credit score. This post will cover the following areas:
- What a poor credit score means to lenders.
- Shopping around for the best deals.
- Secured or unsecured debt consolidation?
- Beware of debt consolidation scams.
What a Poor Credit Score Means to Borrowers
A borrower’s credit score is among the most critical metrics in the determination of default risk. Your credit score is likely to suffer if you have:
- late payments or miss payments,
- a high credit utilization ratio,
- many accounts with a balance,
- a short credit history,
- negative information on your credit report.
A poor credit score means that you are a risky borrower and therefore must pay a premium if at all you are to get a loan.
The Comparison of Bad Credit Loan and Good Credit Loan
Example:
Loan details:
- Loan amount: $15 000
- Loan term: 5 years (or 60 months)
- Good credit: 6.00%
- Bad credit: 32.50%
| Repayments |
Daily |
Monthly |
Annually |
Life of loan |
| Good credit: |
$9.51 |
$289.99 |
$3,560.95 |
$17 399.52 |
| Bad credit: |
$16.62 |
$508.58 |
$6,455.77 |
$30 515.07 |
| Extra interest: |
$7.11 |
$218.59 |
$2 894.82 |
$13 115.55 |
So, what we were trying to show was: The Comparison of Bad Credit Loan and Good Credit Loan. The table shows that you can save $218.59 a month or $13 115.55 in total savings which a big difference. How to make it? You can do it by repairing your bad credit.
Can I Get a Low-Interest Debt Consolidation Loan for Bad Credit?
While good deals may be hard to come by, it is possible to find a debt consolidation loan that helps you save on interest payments without requiring a good credit score. However, such offers are likely
not to be as attractive as those offered to borrowers with good to excellent credit. Also, you will need to shop around relentlessly and patiently to identify meaningful offers. Remember that a wrong choice taken out of desperation is likely to cost you more in the long run.
What You Need to Consider Before Applying for a Debt Consolidation Loan for Bad Credit
Before you take a debt consolidation loan for bad credit, there are some things that you need to consider.
1. Determine your preparedness to meet monthly payments
As mentioned earlier, taking a debt consolidation loan without a clear payment plan can result in more harm than good. Before you make an
application, determine your preparedness to pay and also the discipline to keep away from taking up more debt before the consolidated debt is paid fully.
Ensure that you have a budget for the payments and use an
online loan calculator to determine the maximum you can afford to pay per month without straining. Consider alternative options if you cannot find a loan that fits your budget.
2. Ensure that you are disciplined enough not to take other loans before
Debt consolidation means moving all your debts including credit cards into one loan. If you are not a
disciplined borrower, having debt free cards after consolidation may tempt you to take up more debt. If you can’t control your borrowing appetite, it is only better that you keep away from consolidation loans.
3. Read the fine details in each offer
It is also essential that you read the fine details in each offer to avoid shocking surprises later. Some offers may have desirable but still be not a good option due to high fees.
4. Avoid making too many hard inquiries
Another thing worth noting is the impact that hard inquiries have on your credit score. Ensure that you do your research well before applying to minimize the chances of having too many inquiries.
5. Evaluate alternatives to debt consolidation
Finally, evaluate the alternatives to debt consolidation to determine if there are other cheaper and easier ways to manage your debt. Possible options include a debt management plan,
Home Equity Loans,
Cash-Out Refinance, and
Debt Settlement.
Types of Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit
| Unsecured Debt Consolidation for bad credit |
Secured Debt Consolidation for bad credit |
Loans with a co-signer |
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- There are debt consolidation personal loans out there meant for people with bad credit. However, you will need to shop around patiently and scrutinize each deal to ensure that it is in line with your needs.
- Most online lenders conduct soft inquiries when checking your credit report and therefore you need not be worried about multiple applications affecting your credit score.
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- With bad credit, you will be fortunate to find an unsecured loan with meaningful terms. Most lenders will require collateral to extend a loan to a borrower with bad credit. The best thing with secured loans is that they come with better terms than unsecured loans.
- On the downside, you risk losing the collateral if you fail to meet the loan terms as agreed.
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- Another option for borrowers with bad credit is to get a co-signer. A co-signer is a person who agrees to take liability on your behalf if you fail to meet the loan terms.
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- With a co-signer, the loan terms are determined by their credit score. This means that your bad score will not have an impact on the loan.
- Before you engage someone as your co-signer, ensure that they understand the repercussions first. Remember that failing to meet your loan terms will jeopardize them too.
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Shopping Around for the Best Deals
If this is your first time with debt consolidation for bad credit, then it is highly likely that you do not know where to get started. First, you need to know that not all companies are suited for borrowers with bad credit. Going for the wrong company is likely to lead to rejections or ridiculous offers.
Interests on debt consolidation loans for bad credit can be as high as 40 percent, and therefore it is vital that you way the cost-benefit first before you settle on an offer. Some loans may also have a lower APR but a more extended repayment period which means that you might be paying more interest in the long run.
Loan finder services are the best place to start looking for debt consolidation loans for bad credit offers and comparing terms.
LendingTree.com,
Credible, and
Even Financials are some of the platforms you can use to identify the best offers in the market.
Final Word
Debt consolidation with a bad credit score is possible, but it takes time and effort. Before you commit yourself to any offer, ensure that you have all the fine details and have evaluated your ability to make payments as required.
