Thursday, January 29, 2009

A Sweeping Debt Solution

By James Gilbert Pynn

Debt consolidation is seldom a topic at the forefront of most people's conversations. Most people would rather discuss roots canals. As sobering a topic as debt consolidation is, it is far more pleasant topic than bankruptcy. Indeed, debt consolidation is a means of avoiding bankruptcy and remaining financially solvent. The effects of a bankruptcy are designed to be disruptive for years following the dismissal of debts. Securing a new line of credit can be agonizing and ultimately frustrating. Consolidation often entails taking out one loan to address you various debts. This new loan typically enjoys a lower, fixed interest rate and often proves more manageable for families and individuals alike.

Debt consolidation, at heart, is the amalgamation of smaller debts into an all-encompassing loan locked at reduced interest rate. Though some consolidation service will grant unsecured loans, most services require the loan be secured against some form of collateral, more often than not, a home or vehicle. The collateralization of the loan provides for a lower interest rate as the debt is secured against a profitable asset. Failing to pay off a collateralized loan often entitles the holder of the loan to take possession of said home or vehicle. In essence, since the risk of losing money is lower, so too, then, is the amount of interest on the loan.

In some case, depending on the firm, the debt principal can be reduced, in addition to securing a lower interest rate. If a debtor is on the brink of bankruptcy, the loaner will often buy the loan at a considerable discount. It would behoove the smart debtor to shop around for the best offers. Though never mentioned, a consolidation agreement can seriously affect a debtors chances of having his or her debts dismissed by a bankruptcy judge. For this reason alone, it would behoove the potential debtor to think twice before jumping on the consolidation bandwagon.

Debt consolidation, among all the possible debt solutions, is advisable for anyone trying to pay off credit card debts. Credit cars notoriously carry high interest rates. To combat this, debtors with viable forms of collateral can borrow against this collateral, securing a second loan to pay off their credit cards. This second loan, secured against say a house, can e paid off sooner as it enjoys a significantly lower interest rate.

Seemingly as with anything good, there is always a caveat. The consolidation field is rife with some rather unscrupulous consolidation companies that charge exorbitant processing fees. Many times these fees are close to state maximums and seldom are they openly disclosed. Some companies realize all too well that a client does not have the time he or she needs to shop his or her debt around. In these cases, the consolidation company can charge any ridiculous fee it wants, knowing that the client in backed into a corner. A sword of Damocles can be worth millions. It should be noted this form of last minute lending is also known as predatory lending. Dont be a victim " research all the available debt solutions before signing anything. Your home could depend on it.

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment