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Unsecured Loans And Debt Consolidation

The Pros And Cons Of Unsecured Loans And Debt Consolidation


Unsecured loans and debt consolidation can appear to be an attractive option for those wanting to eliminate credit card debts. A tough question many borrowers face when considering a loan to consolidate credit card debts is... "Which are better, unsecured debt consolidation loans or secured debt consolidation loans?"

Let's take a moment to examine the pros and cons of each type of loan before deciding on a course of action.

Debt Consolidation Secured Loan

When a borrower takes out a secured loan, he or she guarantees that the borrowed money will be repaid or some valuable asset will be surrendered.

A standard home loan is perhaps the most common example of a secured loan. Here, the borrower's house is offered as security. If the borrower cannot repay the loan according to the contract terms and thereby defaults, the home can be legally claimed by the lender as compensation.

Theoretically that means that even if one payment is missed on the loan, the lender possesses the legal right to foreclose and sell the house. However, for a number of reasons such foreclosures rarely happen. The biggest reason is that it involves a lengthy, unpleasant legal process to reclaim a house, and the lender would then have to list and sell the property to recoup his or her money.

Under normal circumstances, no lender will go to such lengths because the borrower missed a single payment. To miss one payment would be considered a small slipup. Even if several months of payments are missed, most lenders would first send the borrower a series of firmly worded letters demanding payment before any legal action was taken.

Even if housing prices are rising and real estate is booming, most lenders are busy enough in their own field and are loath to undertake the removal of a homeowner and the selling of a house. In their minds, there are easier and less stressful ways to obtain money.

Nonetheless, the wise borrower should realize that nothing is absolute in business, and the lender does have the right of foreclosure.

How much importance should the borrower place on this right of foreclosure when considering a secured loan?

It's good to be aware that even with the nonpayment of an unsecured loan, lenders have the legal right to seize valuable assets from the borrower, assets such as wages, investments, and even real estate. To declare the borrower in default takes only a relatively simple and inexpensive legal procedure.

However, since legal procedures are only "relatively" simple and inexpensive, most lenders will attempt to work out a repayment option that is mutually beneficial to both parties before taking action.

Unsecured Debt Consolidation Loan

There is an important characteristic of unsecured loans that you need to be aware of. Because the borrowed money in an unsecured loan is (theoretically) not backed by the legal right to seize the asset if the borrower defaults, there are usually significantly higher rates of interest charged. So, when thinking about unsecured loans and debt consolidation, these higher interest costs should be taken into account.

Because the lenders assume more risk, they charge higher rates of interest to compensate for their losses from defaults. Defaults tend to be more frequent on loans that are unsecured. It's also a way to influence the borrower to consider taking out a secured loan. Lenders know that borrowers will be more inclined to repay a debt that's attached to their home than a debt that's thought of as unsecured.

Weigh The Advantages, Then Decide

So, when it comes to secured loans versus unsecured loans, there are pros and cons for both the borrower and the lender to consider.

Unsecured loans and debt consolidation may seem the best option to a borrower without any assets to offer as collateral, despite the added interest costs. And even if the borrower owns valuable assets like investments, antiques, or a house and qualifies for a secured loan, he or she may not want to place them at risk.

Ultimately, you know your circumstances best. You must weigh the advantages of a debt reduction loan against the risks and costs, then decide.


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