What type of income is acceptable to get approved for finance?

Printed Paystubs, Unemployment, Fixed income such as SSI, SSD, Workers Comp

What if I’m self-employed?

That’s fine, as long as you can prove your income with bank statements showing deposits, or canceled checks that you received.

Do I need a down payment?

Most people do need some cash down. That is how the bank gets comfortable with loaning you the rest of the money you need to purchase the vehicle you want.

How much of a down payment will I need?

The amount of your down payment is determined by the bank giving you the loan. It’s different for every customer, and depends on several factors, such as credit history, length of employment, and the kind of vehicle you wish to drive.

Top Tips for Car Financing

Posted Tuesday, Jan 02, 2024

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used car financing tips

If you’ve been thinking of buying a used car lately, then you’ll be figuring out how much to spend and if you have enough money saved to make the purchase. The good news is, that getting car financing is now easier than ever, with many used car dealerships offering auto loans as part of their service. That being said, it is not advised to walk into a used car dealership without first educating yourself on the ins and outs of car financing.

Since taking out an auto loan means you’re going to be paying for the vehicle for many months after you’ve driven it out of the used car dealership, it pays to make sure you have made a good deal, and that all starts with finding the right car financing for your particular situation. If you haven’t figured it out yet, this is going to be all about car financing, the factors to consider, and what to look for when choosing auto loans for used cars.

Know Your Budget

It all starts with the budget. Once you have decided to purchase a used car, the second decision is determining how much you can afford to spend on the car. While this can be a fascinating time, it is also the part of vehicle purchases where people make the most mistakes.

So, consider not only the purchase price of the vehicle, but also other expenses, such as insurance, maintenance, and potential repairs. All of these should be factored into the final budget for your car. Once you know what you want, it is time to find out how much car you can afford. For, this you are going to need a credit history report.

Check Your Credit Score

Having a good credit score gets you one step closer to buying a vehicle (used or not). Furthermore, having a good credit score can help you secure a lower interest rate on your auto loan. To improve your chances of finding lower prices in car financing, get a copy of your credit report and check for any errors that might affect your score. If they are errors, get them fixed by contacting your provider.

Explore Loan Options

There’s no dearth of loan options which makes it easy to shop around for car financing. From banks, and credit unions to online lenders and other resources, all offer auto loans. Once you have narrowed down some of the lenders it is time to compare interest rates, loan terms, and any additional fees.

More and more used car dealerships are also offering car financing to their customers, so you can find out more about the options at the dealership. Since many used car dealerships maintain a relationship with lenders, you stand a better chance of finding the right car financing along with an affordable cost with used car dealership financing.

Understand Interest Rates

Choosing car financing is all about having a grip on current interest rates, what they are, and how they can impact your payments. In short, the interest rates can significantly impact the total cost of your loan. Generally, lower interest rates are considered to be a better option, but the rate you qualify for will depend on factors such as your credit score and the term of the loan itself. Before you reach out to a lender and start the negotiating process it is wise to educate yourself on current interest rates, as well as loan terms. More limited credit terms frequently accompany higher regularly scheduled installments yet lower generally interest costs. On the other hand, a longer loan term can have lower monthly payments but could cost more throughout the loan.

Get Preapproval

Armed with a report on your credit history or credit score, you can walk into a lender to get preapproval on a car loan. One of the main reasons you should consider getting preapproved for a car loan before going out to the used car dealership is because the preapproval gives you an idea of how much you can borrow. This will help to streamline the entire buying process since you will be armed with the necessary information to negotiate with the used car dealership or other lenders to find better car financing options.

Be Wary of Extended Warranties or Add-ons

While you will be there to find a reliable vehicle at the lowest possible price, the used car salesman, on the other hand, will be trying every trick in the book to bump up the price of the car. This often includes higher interest rates, but can also include useless add-ons or extended warranties.

Dealerships may offer various add-ons, such as extended warranties, insurance, or protection packages. Since you do not want to get stuck paying for something you do not need, it is always best to consider whether these are necessary and research their costs before agreeing to them. While extended warranties can be beneficial, try to avoid financing them as part of your auto loan. Pay for them separately to avoid paying interest on them over the life of the loan.

Before consenting to any credit arrangement, painstakingly read and see every one of the agreements. Pay attention to any fees, penalties, or restrictions that have been added to the agreement that weren’t mentioned during the negotiations, and more importantly, don’t hesitate to ask any questions on any of the issues that you find in the agreement.

All this should be done before you sign on the dotted line or else, you will be bound to make those monthly payments or serve a hefty penalty if you fail to do so. To make sure that doesn’t happen to you when looking for car financing, it is advised to contact reputable platforms such as Olympic Auto Sales, who will be with you every step of the way when choosing the right car financing.