One of the biggest purchases we can ever make is a car or vehicle. Similar to purchasing a house, buying a car will involve a significant amount of money, and more often than not, people feel the need to take out a loan and spend years in making monthly payments.
It may seem impossible and overwhelming at first but it’s not a reason to lose hope because there are a number of options and steps that you can take to get you prepared for that car you have been dreaming of.
If you want to be successful in your journey to purchasing your dream car, here are the steps that will help you get started.
1. Check your credit score and your credit report
In order for you to have lower costs when you borrow money, it is important that you work on getting better credit history and score. Most of the lenders including credit unions and banks make your credit score as a reference when they decide about your interest rate and other fees when it comes to your auto loan. If you have made it a point to pay your bills on time every month and you have been responsible when it comes to using your credit, chances are you will be able to have an option to choose a more reasonable auto loan.
This means that before you even do the actual purchase, you have to start working on your credit. You also have to make sure that you get a copy of your credit report and make sure that nothing is erroneous. If you find anything inaccurate, take your time to dispute it and have it corrected.
But if you still cannot make your credit excellent, it does not mean that you can never qualify for an auto loan; you still can but you may be required to pay a much higher interest rate. Now if you cannot apply for a loan of your own, you will have to reach out to your parents or guardian so that they can co-sign your auto loan.
2. Get your loan pre-approved
Before you even choose a car dealer, it would be best if you start shopping around and look for the best deal, and then get your loan approved ahead. Do a little research and check the loan rates at a number of different banks and make a comparison. Narrow down your options so that it is easier for you to decide. You can also consider going to credit unions because they offer significantly lower rates to their members, so if you are not yet a member of a credit union, you also have the option to join one.
3. Decide for your budget
After doing your research and comparisons, and after gathering all the information you need, it is now time for you to set a budget, and it has to be a budget that you can afford. Figure out the amount that you can really spend for the down payment and how much you can add on top of the amount approved for the loan.
4. Check the value of your desired car
After determining the budget that you can afford, check the value of your dream car and see if you can afford it. This will help you decide if you can negotiate for the price. Check different dealers and see which one can offer you the best rate for the vehicle that you’d like to purchase.
5. Consider your options for financing
Paying for the car in cash will significantly help you get it at a much lower price, however, this options is not that easy for most customers. You can do your research for the best deal as there are several options for you to choose from. In order to reduce your interest rates, it would be best if you keep your loan for five years or less than that.
And to make sure you arrive at the wisest decision, do these steps earlier on so that you won’t have to make the last minute decision and just settle for whatever terms are available for you.
