If you are a current or former student with school loans, you have probably been bombarded with mailed and online solicitations to consolidate your debt. The loan application process can seem overwhelming, particularly if you have more than a couple of loans issued from a number of lenders. However, it is generally simple and straightforward if you are prepared. Here is a brief overview of what you can expect when you decide to consolidate your student loans.

First, you will need to choose a lender. There are many to choose from, but, in general, it’s smart to stick to a well-established financial institution. These lenders will have a variety of payment plans and discounts, and they will be less likely to sell your loan to another lender in the future. There should never be a charge or fee for consolidating student loans. As well, a lender should not need to check your credit because Federal student loans are guaranteed by the U.S. government.

Next, you will need to fill out an application. Remember to gather all information on existing loans prior to filling out your application. Also, you will need to supply personal references. Before you sign your name on the application, make sure that you clearly understand the terms of the new loan. Ask about incentives and discounts that can help reduce your payment. Many lenders have downloadable forms and online calculators to determine the amount you will pay with your new loan.

Once you have submitted your completed application, the lender will send each of your loan holders a Loan Verification Certificate (LVC) to verify the amount owed on each of your Federal student loans. You can expect that your existing lenders will take up to 30 days to return the LVCs. Once these certificates are processed, the interest rate will be calculated and a disclosure statement is prepared. Checks will be issued to your lenders to pay off your loans, and your new consolidated loan will be issued.

This entire process can take between 30 to 180 days to complete, and if information is missing from your application, it can take even longer. Most lenders have customer service representatives who will gladly keep you updated on the status of your loan application. Remember to continue to pay on your existing loans while your application is being processed. You will be financially responsible for these loans until the new lender has paid off them in full.

Finally, keep in mind that interest rates on student loans are adjusted annually every July 1st. This year, rates will be increasing 2.1 percent. You can be assured of the lower rate if you submit a completed application early. Don’t wait until the end of June to start the process.

While consolidating student loans can be a time consuming task, with a little advanced preparation and research you can complete your application with minimal effort. And, once your new loan is processed, you will most certainly be thrilled with your lower payments.

The offset mortgage has gained recognition as a mortgage type that allows “savers” to save money on their mortgage loan each month. If one can save enough money, they will be able to offset the mortgage to the point where interest payments are next to nothing- quickly shortening the mortgage term.

Your average offset mortgage loan works by allowing the borrower only pay interest on the money owed, minus any funds present in a savings account. A savings account with as much as $25,000 in it can greatly influence the interest rate you pay, and thus, lower the term life of the loan.

Self employed workers are constantly in a bind when it comes to the mortgage industry. One way a self employed person may seek a mortgage is to get an offset mortgage, yet having a large savings account to prove to a lender that you are able to make payments and knock interest rates down. Offset mortgages in this sense will allow business owners and temporary workers to get mortgages where they otherwise wouldn’t.

You should have a good history of saving your money before even considering the offset mortgage. Offset mortgage loans will not help you in the slightest if you don’t have a good amount of savings in your account at all times. This is because lenders tack on higher interest rates to offset mortgages due to their nature, meaning you won’t save any money at all if you don’t keep enough in your savings account to offset higher rates.

Studies show that borrowers who are signed on with an offset mortgage are more motivated to make extra payments each month, or put more money into their savings account. This is because there is the incentive of shortening the term of the mortgage with each single dollar put towards savings. It also allows for the consumer to build up a massive “rainy day” fund that will come in handy if there is even an unexpected accident or home repair needed.

The offset mortgage loan industry is not so prevalent in the United States, but rather in eastern nations such as the United Kingdom. Even though this is true, one may be able to find one at select lenders or by using Internet lending as a source of mortgage loans. Internet lenders may be quickly sized up and compared thanks to new web applications, so you can get contact information for the most compatible offer in as little as ten minutes.

In Conclusion

Offset mortgages definitely have their place- but they are not to be misused. With the wrong person, they may be misused and lead to debt quicker than other forms of loans. Lenders should be able to hold a conference to determine if they are a good fit for you.

Learn more on Offset Mortgage UK Deals and Offset Mortgage UK.

A flexible mortgage is a type of mortgage prevalent in European countries. It is a bit more dynamic than the conventional mortgage found in the United States, in that it allows borrowers to pay what they can each billing cycle.

The minimum payment on a flexible mortgage is often just the interest owed for that time period. Since interest payments don’t total to a substantial amount of money, even large financial disasters will not mean you lose your home in the wake of instability. This is ideal for the self employed business owners of the world, as well as contract workers who have temporary work.

Remember that only paying the minimum interest payment is not a good plan for you financially. It will only put away fears of a foreclosure- it won’t allow you to make progress on paying off your mortgage. Months in which are paid as minimum will essentially add another month onto the mortgage term- if not more! Therefore, one should use the flexible mortgage responsibly if you wish to pay off your mortgage according to the original plan.

A variable rate on a flexible mortgage is the norm. Variable rates will fluctuate with the market, so you will always have a rate that is in check with inflation and economic conditions. Fixed rates are the better route if you think that the current market conditions are at the lowest point possible. In times where lenders are jumping over hurdles to get borrowers signed on, pushing for a fixed rate is easy.

If you have exceptional credit you might be able to apply for payment holidays as well. These “holidays” are simply payment periods in which you are able to skip. There are some limitations in how you can do such a thing, and how often, but it’s a great “Plan B” when money becomes scarce. Payment holidays also extend the life of the loan and the total interest paid, so use them sparingly if at all.

A good credit rating is required for flexible mortgages. That’s because flexible mortgage loans are so easily abused by those who have a poor history of responsible financial decisions. If you would wish it, you could get by only making minimal interest payments indefinitely. It might allow you to get by and have fun, but it would ultimately put you in more debt than you could imagine.

Closing Comments

When used correctly, the flexible mortgage loan has a great package to offer new families. You can go to a lender and get approved before you start your real estate hunt by calling in or using the Internet to fill out a mortgage application.

Learn more on Flexible Mortgages and Flexible Mortgages UK.

Debt consolidation is a new trend in which all debts that a consumer owns is paid for with a single mortgage loan. In doing so, it is hoped that the consumer will be better able to keep up with bill payments, yet also refinance interest rates to easier rates.

The move to consolidate your debts is the right choice- but don’t let it be an after-thought. Moving to consolidate your debts should mean that you are committed to pay debts, and avoid any temptations along the way. It’s easy to say you want to pay off your debts, but harder to do if you break your budget and go to celebrate every weekend or eat out frequently at restaurants.

Expenditures can add up, even if they are small expenditures that are negligible. If you start a log of things you spend money on, preferably through budgeting software, you will start to see how even a small order of fries here and there can add up. This “diary” of sorts should be updated with every purchase.

Draw up a list of priorities in your life that absolutely require your attention. An example would be with living arrangements- you wouldn’t get very far not being able to pay rent or utilities. Prioritize your bills in this way so that you can look at a new expenses, and automatically know if it will fit into your budget at that very point, without having to consult the books.

Make more than the minimum payment on your mortgage loan if you can. A large percentage of Americans will only pay the minimum each month- which might seem easier but really only dooms you to a longer period of debt. Even a small sum of money, such as $30,000, will amass to several times that amount once you pay it off with minimum payments. It’s not worth the convenience when you look at it from this perspective.

Refinancing is still available to you after you get a debt consolidation loan. Odds are there will be some restrictions in when you can refinance, but on average you should be able to do so after a couple years go by. Some extra terms may apply that could disqualify you for a refinance option, or even bar the ability to make use of a refinancing mortgage from another lender.

Closing Comments

Stay on top of your finances with software or professional lending services. You owe it to yourself to get out of debt as soon as you can- and that means taking the energy to find help and make a change. Talk to consolidation loan experts for more advice on debt consolidation loans.

Learn more on Debt Consolidation Mortgage Loan and Debt Consolidation Mortgage FAQs.

A bad credit remortgage is your typical remortgage, only laden with special terms due to a history of bad credit. It isn’t a change for the good, but it is a necessary mortgage that those with bad credit will have no choice but to apply for when switching mortgage lenders.

The first step in getting a bad credit remortgage is to lose the fear you may have of rejection. If you don’t approach the situation with confidence, lenders will take note and be less likely to give you good rates, or even a loan at all! Take confidence even if you have bad credit, as there are lenders out there that work solely with poor credit. Odds are they have seen worse scores than your own.

Bad credit remortgage loans are often used to consolidate debts, which is not always the case with your average remortgage. A bad credit remortgage can consolidate your regular mortgage bill, and loans you may have for a vehicle, and can even be used to finance college tuition for yourself or any dependents you currently have going to college.

A bad credit remortgage is rarely used for extra cash used in leisure activity. A regular remortgage can do so, since the borrowers are in good standing with the lender and the credit companies. Bad credit remortgages are more reserved for situations where the borrower is struggling, and not to afford more things and show irresponsibility.

Bad credit remortgage loans will likely be less variable than a regular remortgage. Lenders who lend money out to those with poor credit will have strict rules and regulations to increase the odds of the borrower making good on the promise to pay the loan back. This may include a fixed interest rate, a big down payment, and a commitment to have payments deducted from a bank account each pay period. It’s something borrowers with bad credit must deal with.

Assess your current situation and see how urgent you actually need a home. Below average credit can often be fixed in as little as 12 to 24 months. Poor credit may take several years to fix. Even a bankruptcy can be cleaned off a record in as much as a decade, so you may instead consider playing the waiting game if you don’t think you can afford the terms of a bad credit remortgage loan.

Final Thoughts

The lenders out there waiting to talk to you are vast. You certainly won’t have any trouble finding lenders interested, but you will have to take the time to listen to each one individually and see what they can offer you and your family.

Learn more on Remortgage And Adverse Credit and Re Mortgage Adverse Credit Deals.