What kind of goals do you have in life? Do you want to raise a family of four? Do you want to own a home? Do you want to start and build a business so that it is still around ten years from now? Do you want to retire comfortably and travel during that time? Do you simply want to build a long and successful career doing what you are passionate about?
Chasing goals is part of what makes life so interesting. Each person has their own dreams that they would like to fulfill, and there are infinite pathways to achieve them.
In many cases, accomplishing the goals you have set for your life requires some investment. We live in a society where money is the only way to obtain or accomplish certain things, and sometimes, those things can be more expensive than we can afford. That is where loans come in. To accomplish your various goals as a resident of Arizona, here are some types of loans that you may encounter in your lifetime.
Student Loans
When you are young, there is a lot of pressure to figure out what you will be doing for the rest of your life. Although it often takes time to make that decision, and that decision will likely shift multiple times as you get older, higher education can be a pathway to greater opportunities. Unfortunately, colleges and universities can be very expensive, even with scholarships and grants. When that is the case, you may need to take out student loans to help pay for tuition and room/board. Student loans often have high interest rates and can burden you with big monthly payments for many years, so finding a good rate with a trustworthy lender is critical to avoid too much debt.
Car Loans
Most people will own a car at some point in their lives. Even if you live in a big city like Phoenix with plenty of public transportation or walkable routes, the convenience of a personal vehicle can still offer benefits. When buying a new or used car, you may not have the cash to afford the car outright. Fortunately, most dealerships work with specific financing institutions from which you can get a loan to buy the car. Typical loan terms for a car loan can be four, five, or six years. The bigger the down payment you pay upfront, the lower your monthly costs will be. You could also head to the dealership with pre-approval from a lender of your choice as well.
Home Loans
Part of the American dream is homeownership. Many strive to buy a home and take advantage of the equity that they can build over time with each mortgage payment. There are plenty of home loans Arizona buyers can use to invest in their own living space. FHA loans are helpful for those with lower credit or less income. VA loans can make housing more affordable for veterans, active military, and surviving spouses. USDA loans are designed for low-income families moving to rural areas. There are always conventional loans as well if you have a good credit score and a decent income. As you pay back the loan over 15, 20, or even 30 years, your equity in the home will slowly increase, resulting in monetary benefits if you refinance or sell the home.
HELOC/ Home Equity Loans
If you own a home, then you may be eligible for a home equity line of credit, or HELOC. A HELOC is a loan that a borrower can use based on the amount of equity they own in their house. Equity is the difference between what is owed on the mortgage loan and the current market value of the home. HELOCs are more like a credit line, but there are also home equity loans that serve in the same way as typical loans. A HELOC or equity loan could be used to pay off debts, invest in home upgrades, or make a large purchase.
Business Loans
If you are an entrepreneur with a business in Arizona, then you might encounter the need for a business loan at some point. Raising money for your new brand can be a big challenge at the beginning when profits are low or non-existent. However, if you have a solid plan for investing the money, you could apply for and receive a business loan from a lender to help finance your growth initiatives.
Personal Loans
Have you acquired a lot of credit card debt because of poor spending practices? Does it feel hard to get out of that cycle? Personal loans can be taken out for debt consolidation purposes if you owe money with high interest rates, especially for credit cards. There are many debt consolidation options on the market, and they could help you lower your payments and get out of debt sooner.
Only Take Out Loans You Can Make Payments On
A general rule of thumb for acquiring debt; if you cannot afford to pay it back, it is probably a bad idea. Although loans may sound nice because they help you afford expensive things, you are beholden to the lenders to pay them back. Otherwise, severe penalties can occur.
