Payday Loans Target The Poor

Author: Chris Smith  //  Category: loans
by Chris A Smith

People have been taking out what we call payday loans since time began. Many times it was called an advance that you would get from an employer. On the seedy side it may have been a visit to the local loan shark. Then there was always the pawn shop where you could hock your watch for a temporary loan. Today and entire industry has grown up dealing only with payday loans.

Paycheck loans are unsecured, short term, and typically are not greater than $1500 and usually much less. The payday loan is designed to tide a person over when their money runs out before their paycheck arrives. Consequently these loans are for 7 to 14 days.

Everyone has found themselves in the position of running short on cash. People with good credit fill the shortage by using their credit card. People with no credit or bad credit use payday loans. On the surface this looks like a legitimate service that provides a source of credit to a population that would otherwise be without credit. Why would anyone think that this service is a rip off?

Consumer advocate groups contend that the payday loan industry is charging interest rates that are far in excess to what they need and that they are targeting poor people. Interest rates as high as 700% APR are not uncommon. Each state sets the rules for the industry and consequently the interest rates and other terms vary state to state. So a person with no credit or bad credit is charges 700% where a person with good credit would be charged 14% on their credit card.

Payday loan companies do target poor areas. In fact over 80% of their stores are located in areas designated as distressed or poor. Banks on the other hand, stay away from those areas with only 34% of their total facilities serving poor areas. When you are the only game in town, as the payday loan people are, you can pretty much charge what the market will bear.

The service they provide, small, short term loans is also a product that conventional banks have no interest in. The only thing required to be approved for a payday loan is a verification of identification, proof of income, and a checking account. No credit check is performed so there is no inquiry on the borrowers credit report. Loans are processed typically in a single day and the funds are wired or ACH to the borrowers checking account.

It would not be surprising to discover some banks planning to enter this lucrative market at some point in time. Today however, they do not serve this market in any significant way. Payday loan customers actually see the loans as their safety net. When the $100 utility bill is due four days before you get paid, where else can you go to get the cash to cover it. The $30 that the $100 loan will cost is just the cost of doing business. Paycheck loan customers do not view these loans as an ongoing resource but rather a one time expense.

Payday loans have found a new market thanks to the high unemployment and housing disater. Persons formerly holding “good credit” ratings are now finding themselves with bad credit ratings and being locked out of conventional credit access. The loan companies have all jumped on the internet where this “new” market lives. Online loans are identical to the shop loans but are much more convenient.

If you find yourself contemplating using a payday loan service, make sure the company is licensed to do business in your state. Also make sure you understand the interest rate and the consequences of not paying off the loan on time.

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The Big Foreclosure Bailout 80 LTV Plan… Is It Working?

Author: Tim Beachum  //  Category: loans
by Tim Beachum

We have all heard President Obama’s plan for what he calls Americas economic come back. At best it is a roller coaster ride with multiple twist and turns. One of the many twist is the claim of solving the countries foreclosure crisis.

Most people that I have interviewed feel alone and like there is no help in site. The question on many American’s mind is where are the so-called foreclosure bailout lenders? If that’s the question on your mind and you feel alone, the reality of the situation is thousands of families all across the country have found themselves in the exact deadly position of loosing their homes as well.

At the end of the day it all comes down to your credit rating. As long as your credit hasn’t slipped and you are up to date on your mortgage payments, and you have a lot of equity built up in your property - you “MAY QUALIFY” for a foreclosure bailout 80 LTV loan to value type loan.

As families around to country hold on for dear life waiting for any type of foreclosure relief. Many are wondering where is the FHA Hope for Homeowners… I am referring to the relief that falls under the government bailout which was introduced by Congress in October 2008. The goal of this plan was suppose to stop foreclosure loans on a large scale and save the American public at large.

According to industry experts the number of homeowners that default on their home loans will skyrocket. Those same experts have also predicted that things will get worse before getting better.

Because the mortgage companies know what’s coming down the road they are actively seeking ways to avoid foreclosure before it happens. As a homeowner it is advisable that you look into a loan modification with your current bank. With a mortgage modification, the homeowner and the borrower negotiate the terms of the current loan to make it more affordable. The majority of the time the monthly mortgage payment is lowered by reducing the interest rate, reducing the principal amount owed, extending the loan term.

We as homeowners are advised to seek out bailout lenders that are going to give you a good interest rate, length of the payback terms, points and fees, and we should also take in to consideration the reputation of the mortgage company.

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Credit Report Charge-offs And What To Do About Them

Author: Kimberly Lee  //  Category: consolidation loan
by Jon Stone

The number one explanation for getting turned down on a loan is because of a charge-off according to Bankrate.com. Charge-offs are seen as an hint that you have been irresponsible with your finances and credit in the past and you are likely a high-risk to be the same in the future.

However, even in the best of times there are people who face monetary challenges and in the recent monetary climate there are persons who are facing difficulties that they have never experienced before. Anyone who has had tribulations needs to know accurately what can do about charge-offs and other damaging listings on their credit reports.

If a payment has not been made on the account for 180 days the debt will normally be charged off. However, as a consumer you need to know that this does not relieve you of the debt. The creditor can go on with their collection efforts in-house or by utilizing a collection company.

No one is invulnerable to credit problems showing on their credit report. You may have by accident neglected to pay a bill because of a move or maybe you got a divorce and your spouse was ordered to pay the bill by the court. You may have not been receiving billing notices for one basis or another. Even the most credit trustworthy people can have harmful credit showing on their report.

It is not at all infrequent for your first warning of a charge-off to show up when you are denied credit because of it. No one is immune to having bad credit information showing up on their credit report.

You may also wonder what you should and can do about a charge-off on your credit report. If you pay it off, it can still show up and you also need to be concerned that the 7-year time period for reporting starts anew every time there is activity on the account. You could end up having the faulty credit on your report for as long as 14 years if you paid off the charge-off 7 years after it was first reported on your account. If you pay it off you must get it removed fully or at least reported as a “paid” charge-off.

In spite of this, you can take steps to get the charge-off and other negative credits removed from your record. With credit bureau disputes or creditor negotiations you may be able to advance the status of the charge-off or even get it completely removed from your credit reports. You will most likely have to transact business directly with your creditors and you can do this on your own or contemplate the services of a proficient credit repair service to assist you.

In many cases it is probable to get damaging credit removed before the usual 7-year waiting period. You just need to take the action and get the results.

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Truth About Second Mortgage and HELOC: Are They One and the Same?

Author: Anthony Galz  //  Category: loans
by Matthew Sanz

People get confused between a second mortgage and with home equity loan. The truth is, each is associated with the other but they have their own benefits. But distinguishing one from the other should not be difficult.

A second mortgage is a type of home equity loan. Equity refers to the difference between the current appraised value of your home and the amount you have paid towards the first mortgage. The amount you can borrow on a second mortgage is usually based on the difference between the current value of your home and the remaining principal balance on your first mortgage. The second mortgage is an effective means of tapping the asset value of your home so that you can meet your financial needs and avoid acquiring high interest unsecured debt like the one offered by credit cards.

One can get a second loan wherein the total loan-to-value ratio of your first and second loans equals 85 percent of your homes appraised value. On the other hand, there are lenders in almost all states that allow you to take out a second mortgage that equals to 125 percent of the appraised value of your home.

Second mortgages are usually 15- to 30-year loans with a fixed interest rate. As with the initial loan, the rate of interest and points for a second mortgage will be based on credit history, home price, and the current interest rate. The second mortgage may have a higher interest rate, but the fees are typically lower.

A second mortgage is also used to pay out a fixed sum of money to be repaid on an appointed schedule. People who are in an emergency situation usually opt for a second mortgage. This is because when you get approved for such mortgage, you will receive a lump sum, which you can use for expenses like roof repairs and home renovations. You may also use the money from your second mortgage for expenses not entirely related to house expenditures, like school tuition, car repair, vacations, debt consolidation and other financial needs.

Home equity loan is different. This is used to refer to a home equity line of credit (HELOC). A HELOC is often revolving and is similar to a credit card, wherein the interest is charged, and the amount you are allowed to borrow is based on your creditworthiness. Like the second mortgage, a HELOC may be used for any type of expense, but anything that is paid back above the interest owed will be returned to the account and can be used again when needed.

Generally, home equity line of credit loan has a term of up to 15 years. If you sell your home before you have repaid the line of credit completely, you will then have to do it upon completing the sale. This feature is applicable to both the HELOC and the second mortgage. In determining the limit of your HELOC, lenders examine your homes appraised value and start calculations at 75 percent of that value. They then deduct the remaining balance owed on your mortgage.

If you are choosing between the two options, your current financial needs will help distinguish the type of loan that is appropriate for you. For one-time expenses, you can opt for a fixed-rate second mortgage. But if you have a frequent need for extra money, a HELOC would be right for you.

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Resolve that Urgent Money Issue Today With a Payday Advance Loan

Author: Rose Martin  //  Category: loans
by Rose Martin

Have you ever gotten yourself into a situation where you were short on money and the next payday was still a week or so away? What about when you see a deal on something and the only thing you can find in your pocket is lint? You may want to consider getting a payday advance loan to get through the tough times until you get paid again.

Everyone has found themselves short on cash at one point or another. People are making less money and disposable income is not the easiest thing to come by. This does not mean that you still cannot enjoy something or take advantage of a great opportunity when it comes around though.

A loan like this is an ideal situation for someone who is in a pinch but perhaps doesn’t have the greatest credit. With the loan being guaranteed against your paycheck, the lender knows that they are most likely going to get paid. However, this does not mean that you should still not be careful nor shop around for the best rate and terms.

Before you agree to take out a payday advance loan, make sure that you are dealing with a lender that has a good reputation. This business has been infused with some unsavory lenders that are doing nothing more than taking advantage of people in a dire situation. You may need the money, but you don’t need to get shafted in the process. There are many good, honest lenders out there too - you just be sure you’ve found one before signing on the dotted line.

One of your first concerns should be how much interest you are going to pay. If you see something that is unrealistic, go find another lender. You are going to pay a higher rate than a standard loan because the loan is higher risk, but you still should not be getting taken to the cleaners for some emergency cash. If you see something you don’t like, move on to the next company as this is a very competitive market.

Be sure to carefully check your paperwork before you sign it to make sure that the terms are clear. Ask questions if any come up. The last thing you need is to find out there are fees than what you though you were agreeing to or that they scheduled your payment for the wrong date. Mistakes happen so make sure you check everything.

Payday advance loans are a great way to get through a tough situation, but you don’t want to get caught having to take them out all the time. They are a short term solution to an emergency situation. As with any lending situation, do some research and make sure you are dealing with a quality lender and that you understand all the terms before you put your name on the dotted line.

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