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Credit Card Debt Consolidation: Top 3 Factors To Consider
By Elaine Lim
If you've got a number of credit cards and insurmountable credit card debt, then perhaps it's time to consider a debt consolidation loan. A consolidation loan is a loan that you can use to pay off all your debts, meaning that you can pay them off for less money without having to worry about lots of different bills.
For instance, if you had borrowed $3000 five years ago, you may now owe $5000 (principle plus interest). A debt consolidation program may involve eliminating some amount of interest so that you pay less than $5000.
Also, your previous outstanding balances may be on five different credit cards. You need to pay 5 bills every month. Once you participate in a debt consolidation program, all your accounts will be consolidated into one account. You now pay only one bill each month.
In a credit card debt consolidation, your average interest rate may be reduced. All your loans can also be transferred to one single card that has a lower interest rate than the ones you are currently paying.
Here are top three factors to consider for Credit card debt consolidation:
1. Interest Rate
Get the best interest rate you can if you opt for debt consolidation. This interest rate is almost as important as the one on your mortgage, but much harder to change after you've signed on the dotted line. Don't be fooled by any offers that give you a good rate for a limited time – you're going to have this loan for quite a while.
Interest rates for credit card debt consolidation loans through traditional lenders may be based on your credit score. If high, you are likely to get a credit card debt consolidation loan at a lower interest rate. If the credit score is low, credit card debt help companies may be able to help offer methods for raising your credit score.
2. The loan tenor or length of the loan.
The most overlooked aspect about debt consolidation loans is that the ones with lower payments generally last a very long time – you may end up paying it off for twenty years, or even longer. You should try to find a loan that doesn't last as long, and asks for payments that are as much as you can afford.
3. A payment sum that you can manage.
Almost without exception, the loan will be secured on your home. That means that if you start missing payments, the finance company will kick you out, take ('repossess') your house, sell it, and pay back the debt with that money.
There's a whole industry around property developers buying repossessed houses and selling them on for a profit. The chances are that you'll come out of it with nowhere near enough money left to buy even the smallest home, and nowhere to live. So be sure, to go for a plan that you can safely adhere to, without losing your home!
If you do take a debt consolidation loan, you need to read all the fine print. Good luck!
About the Author
Elaine Lim used to be a research analyst from a bank and now hopes to share her expertise through publishing information on consumer credit. She hopes to help others in their financial planning, debt management and credit repair. For more free tips and resources, please visit http://www.credit-cards-eguide.com.
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