Debt Consolidation Loans
When people have debts but they also have equity in their homes, they have the opportunity to borrow against this equity. As they do this, they now have the means to pay all of their balances on their debts down to zero. This loan is what is known as secured.
Advantages
The advantages of obtaining a loan to pay all debts are:
• The consumer now only has to make one payment each month
• These home equity loans are subject to lower interest rates than credit cards typically are
Disadvantages
People must also be aware of the disadvantages of these loans:
• They may not be able to afford the new monthly payment
• In the event that they cannot afford to keep up with their monthly payments, they may lose their homes
• The homeowner may not be able to borrow as much money as is needed
• Their credit reports may have too many negative entries to qualify for the loan
• The homeowners may not have sufficient equity to receive a home equity loan
The Unsecured Loan
There is also the unsecured debt consolidation loan where the bank lends an amount of money, and the borrower pays the money back plus the interest the bank charges.
Advantages
The main advantage is that the borrower only has one monthly payment to make.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages are that these loans often carry a very high interest rate, and lenders tend to believe that people needing unsecured loans owe too much money, so the terms are not going to be in the borrower’s favor.
Credit Counseling
In the event that the consumers cannot obtain a loan large enough to pay their debts down to zero, they may benefit from credit counseling. The counselors will have their clients’ interest rates reduced to help them pay their debts in full within five years. The clients will pay the credit counseling agency directly, and the agency pays the creditors.
Advantages
The advantages of credit counseling are:
• Consumers save money from no longer paying high interest rates
• Late fees can often be eliminated from the balance
• They only have one simple payment to make every month
The disadvantages of credit counseling are:
• Credit counseling often does not succeed in significantly reducing the monthly payment
• The “New Deal” program implemented by FDR might be less expensive
• The “New Deal” program is also shorter than credit counseling by two years
• There is a high drop-out rate from credit counseling programs because people find them difficult to maintain
• Most credit counseling companies are funded by credit card companies