There’s a big difference between secured and unsecured debt. Secured loans require collateral such as a car, home or savings account, and they can be taken away if you fail to repay the loan.
This lowers the risk for lenders to offer borrowers better terms. This makes secured loans a smart financial choice for the following reasons:
They’re a Way to Build Credit
Generally speaking, secured loans offer lower interest rates than unsecured ones. This is because secured loans are backed by collateral such as a car, home, or savings account. That means lenders are less likely to lose their investment if the borrower defaults. Different lenders like MaxLend use varying methods to determine whether someone is eligible for a loan. However, most review the borrower’s credit history and score, income and debt-to-income ratio. Secured loans are a great option for borrowers with poor or limited credit. They allow them to build credit and avoid foreclosure without losing their home or cars.
They’re a Way to Avoid Foreclosure
Home equity loans and other types of secured debt are all backed by collateral that lenders can liquidate if the borrower defaults. That makes them less risky for lenders and allows them to offer borrowers lower interest rates.
However, if you miss too many payments on a secured loan, your lender may pursue legal action to get a money judgment against you. If you think foreclosure is on the horizon, a lender might offer you a short sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. These options can help you avoid the financial damage of a foreclosure, which stays on your credit report for seven years. Compare different lenders’ terms and rates to find the best deal.
They’re a Way to Get a Lower Interest Rate
The distinction between secured and unsecured loans will significantly impact your debt management strategy. Secured loans are backed by an asset, such as your home, car or savings, that you might lose if you fail to repay the loan. This collateral gives lenders a lower risk and makes it easier for borrowers with weaker credit scores to qualify for financing.
The collateral also provides an incentive for borrowers to make on-time payments. This makes secured loans a great option for large renovations or debt consolidation. They can also provide access to a larger credit limit and lower interest rates than personal loans or credit cards. In contrast, unsecured loans are based solely on a borrower’s creditworthiness and capacity to repay the debt.
They’re a Way to Get Cash When You Need It
Lenders can be more flexible with secured loan terms than unsecured loans. They also offer lower interest rates on programs like a MaxLend loan because the lender takes less risk with collateral backing up the debt.
Secured loans are typically repaid over a longer period than unsecured loans, which can help reduce your monthly payments and the total amount of interest paid.
The drawback of secured loans is that if you default on the payments, you risk losing the asset you pledged as security.
They’re a Way to Keep Your Savings
A secured loan requires an asset as collateral. This reduces the risk for lenders, and it’s why they’re often easier to obtain than unsecured loans. The asset you pledge can be anything from cash to stocks and investments, property, a car or a personal belonging. The lender can claim the asset if you fail to meet your repayment obligations. However, this is less of a threat to your credit score than having unpaid debts listed on your report or getting sued for nonpayment by creditors.