Low Rate Debt Consolidation Loans What is a Debt Consolidation Loan? A debt consolidation loan is taken out for the purpose of paying off all of your existing debts by combining your unsecured loans, credit cards, store cards and overdrafts.

If you are in one of the following situations then a debt consolidation loan may be an option:

• If you cannot make your current repayments on your existing monthly debts.
• If you can't keep track of your monthly outgoings and need to consolidate all the different loans and payments into one single payment each month.
• If your current loans or debts all have varied interest rates over and above what you would like to be paying.
• If your cashflow is bad because of your current debt.

What are the different types Of debt consolidation loans available?

As with any type of loan, a debt consolidation loan could be secured or unsecured. A secured loan is secured against your assets (usually your home) and is a smaller risk to the lender. This in turn will get you a smaller interest rate and a longer available term allowing you to borrow greater amounts of money.

An unsecured loan means more risk for the lender hence they charge higher rates of interest, offer smaller amounts of cash and are usually for shorter terms. The reason for all this is that the lender has nothing secured against the loan and needs to make the criteria for obtaining such a loan more stringent. An unsecured loan can usually be arranged within 24 hours once an application has been approved.

What will affect me when applying for a debt consolidation loan?

Your credit rating can directly affect who will lend you money AND the interest rate you pay. Various companies will lend you money if you have a bad credit history. These companies are specialist lenders, will charge you a premium interest rate and may restrict what you actually use the money for.

How a debt consolidation loan can help you

Debt consolidation loans are a good way of repairing your credit rating. Let's say for example you are missing monthly payments on certain debts which is damaging your credit history. By consolidating these debts, usually a lower rate of interest will apply over a longer term which will reduce your monthly payments and help you budget your cashflow.

Important factors to consider

Make sure you make a good comparison across the market looking at the key factors of each loan. Firstly consider the term of the loan you require, then find the lender with the lowest rate of interest. Consider terms and conditions such as early repayment penalties and the like then simply start applying as most websites thesedays allow you to apply electronically online without the need to fill in masses of forms.

Don't rush when choosing this type of loan as it will be a major financial factor of your life usually for over 10 years.

Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.