Improving Your Chances to Qualify for a Boat Loan
Monday, November 9, 2009
By Tim Jones
1.Two years ago getting a boat loan was substantially easier than it is now, however is is not impossible to get one now. Following these seven tips should increase your chances at qualifying and getting your dream yacht.
2. Know what's on your credit report. If you find any accounts that you did not open or any amounts that you did not charge, you will need to submit a form to all three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and Transunion) to dispute the account or charges, as need be. Each reporting agency may give a different result and may find different accounts. A bank will run all three and so should you.
2. Focus on your FICO score, which is the measurement of your financial stability and your ability to repay the loan. You can improve your score by paying down debt, having accounts with zero balances, and always paying your bills on time.
3. Increase the amount that you put down on the loan. By showing that the bank will not be the only one who will commit financially to the loan, you are able to show them that you are more likely to repay it. 20% or more is best.
4. Banks take more than just credit score and income into the criteria they use to assess risk. Previous boat loan experience is a positive, or at least comparable borrowing experience. They will also look into your employment history, previous payment history, and cash reserves.
5. Put together the documents detailing your current financial position. This includes your year to date earnings, your last two years of tax returns, and your investments including cash, stocks, annuities, IRA's, 401k's etc. Also understand that you are not just proving you capacity to pay back the loan, but pay back the loan and take good care of the yacht, because if you default the bank will own the boat.
6. Know the debt to income rations that banks use to qualify loans. Banks do not usually loan to anyone who's debt and expenses exceed 40% of their income.
7. Choose the right representative. A yacht loan broker is an independent advocate that can connect you with every bank that provides boat loans (not all do), the criteria you should use when choosing your broker should be if they have a long standing, strong relationship with the banks.
2. Know what's on your credit report. If you find any accounts that you did not open or any amounts that you did not charge, you will need to submit a form to all three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and Transunion) to dispute the account or charges, as need be. Each reporting agency may give a different result and may find different accounts. A bank will run all three and so should you.
2. Focus on your FICO score, which is the measurement of your financial stability and your ability to repay the loan. You can improve your score by paying down debt, having accounts with zero balances, and always paying your bills on time.
3. Increase the amount that you put down on the loan. By showing that the bank will not be the only one who will commit financially to the loan, you are able to show them that you are more likely to repay it. 20% or more is best.
4. Banks take more than just credit score and income into the criteria they use to assess risk. Previous boat loan experience is a positive, or at least comparable borrowing experience. They will also look into your employment history, previous payment history, and cash reserves.
5. Put together the documents detailing your current financial position. This includes your year to date earnings, your last two years of tax returns, and your investments including cash, stocks, annuities, IRA's, 401k's etc. Also understand that you are not just proving you capacity to pay back the loan, but pay back the loan and take good care of the yacht, because if you default the bank will own the boat.
6. Know the debt to income rations that banks use to qualify loans. Banks do not usually loan to anyone who's debt and expenses exceed 40% of their income.
7. Choose the right representative. A yacht loan broker is an independent advocate that can connect you with every bank that provides boat loans (not all do), the criteria you should use when choosing your broker should be if they have a long standing, strong relationship with the banks.
About the Author:
Now is a great time to buy a boat. There are great opportunities to purchase boats at that represent an great value, or may have been previously unaffordable. Take the time to prepare in advance, get "pre-qualified" for a boat loan so you know that boat financing will not affect your negotiations or timetable to purchase.
Posted byBertie at 2:30 AM
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