What to Know Before You Sign That Loan Agreement

Many of us will take out a loan at some point in our lives, and it is important that we fully understand what we are getting ourselves into before we do so. This is a significant financial commitment and you need to be prepared for what it entails.

The Type of Loan

First and most importantly, make sure you know what type of loan you are applying for. This might sound like something straightforward, but you might also be shocked to find out just how many types of loan there are, and some of the subtle differences between them.

For this reason, you should always make sure that your loan broker fully explains the type of loan you are choosing to take out. You might be choosing to take out bridging loans, or a special type of mortgage, or some other form of loan. There are so many different loans that you could apply for, and you need to make sure that you know the difference between unsecured loans, bridging loans, and any other product that you might have considered.

The Interest Rates

You should never sign a loan contract if you do not clearly understand the interest rates. These are going to dictate how much each repayment is, and so you don’t want to be paying something too high. 

One important thing to look for is whether you have a fixed interest rate. This might be just for a short time, such as your first six months, or it could even be for however long it takes for you to pay back the loan. If you have got a flexible interest rate, you will need to monitor it closely to make sure it does not inflate too much.

Default Conditions

No one wants to default on their loan payments, especially if they have some sort of collateral that they wish to protect. Therefore, you should take the time to learn what the default conditions of your loan are so you can ensure that you are correctly meeting your repayment terms.

Most loan providers can actually be quite flexible if you are prepared to negotiate with them. If you have made your payments on time up to a point, but might struggle to meet one deadline for whatever reason, make sure that you speak to your lender ahead of time. They might be willing to work with you to find a one-off compromise, as they do not want you to default on the loan as much as you do.

Never sign something as important as a loan agreement if you have not taken the time to read through it properly. There are so many little details that can be hidden in the terms and conditions of the loan and you need to make sure that you have found all of them. With as important an agreement as a loan, it is not worth it to try to navigate it without fully understanding what you are signing for.