Car Refinancing
In the current economy, lowering monthly payments on your bills is not only desirable but essential. With car refinancing, you can lower your monthly payment and can possibly shorten the length of your payment plan.
To be eligible for refinancing, your credit rating is an important factor. If you have maintained timely payments on your current car payment plan and have a good credit score, this can get you the best interest rate when refinancing. However, if you do not have the best credit rating but have held a steady job and have paid your bills in a timely manner for 6 months, it is still possible to refinance your car; however your interest rate may be a little higher.
The following are some tips for car refinancing:
- Refinance early. Most refinance companies will not consider refinancing your car loan if the remaining amount that you owe on the car is less than $8000. Additionally, with most car loans your payments are paying off the interest prior to the principal, so it is not beneficial to refinance a loan that is close to payoff.
- Get an appraisal. It is important to know what the value of your car is. Most lenders will not allow car refinancing for more than what is the current value of your car. It is also important to note that if your car is worth significantly less due to a drop in value; it may jeopardize refinancing, especially if the car is valued at less than $8000.
- Know the names that are on the original loan. Before looking into potential lenders for your refinancing, find out exactly which names are listed on your original car loan. If the vehicle was purchased jointly with your spouse, the refinancing will be in both names.
- Documentation. Before meeting with lenders, make sure to have a copy of your car’s registration or have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of your vehicle. If you have the original documentation from your original car loan, it may be beneficial to bring this when meeting with lenders.
- Shop around for lenders. Look into both lenders in your local area as well as those advertised online. As you cannot refinance with your current lender, it is important to research what lenders are available to you as well as compare what are their best refinance rates.
- Meet with lenders. Once you have narrowed down which lenders offer the best refinancing option, contact the lenders. Make sure to ask for their Annual Percentage Rate (APR). It is also important to ask if the potential lender charges fees to refinance. Avoid these lenders as you should only have the pay a minimum fee or tax to the state you live in to change the name of the company that holds your loan.
- Make a plan for payoff. You can enjoy lower payments, however if you can pay off your loan quicker if you pay the same monthly amount you had paid on your original loan.
