Everyone dreams of owning a car that they can proudly say has been bought from their hard-earned money. But you might feel the burden on your pocket since the car prices are high and the economy hasn’t yet stabilized. However, high prices should not dissuade you from buying a car for yourself. A good knowledge about car financing can go a long way in helping you decide which car can be bought within your budget.

Read on to know what are the dos and don’ts of car financing.
Basically, car financing means getting a loan from a bank, a credit union or any other source in order to buy a car. This way you can easily buy a car that you desire. The problem of limited budget can also be resolved with car financing.

1. Firstly, one must conduct a thorough research on the amount of money that needs to be borrowed. Prior research helps in determining whether a certain dealer is levying extra charges by means of additional costs and hidden interest rates. This groundwork needs to be done properly so that you get the best car financing deal.
2. Compare and contrast the financing terms of the various auto loan options available. This comparison can be done online by making use of an auto loan calculator. Have concrete information about the current interest rates and get a number of loan options in hand so that you can take a print out and go to a dealership authoritatively.
3. Never ever cross your budget limits. Always pre-decide on how much you can easily afford and then only go in for car financing. After all, it is you who has to return the money.
4. You must have a complete look at the manufacturer’s website in order to know what all factory incentives are available. If a financing deal does not suit your budget requirements, don’t hesitate to decline the offer.
5. Credit Unions offer one of the best car loan options. You need to become a member in order to be eligible for a credit union loan. The advantage here is that these unions are owned by their members and work on a no profit basis. They offer low interest rates and better financing terms. This in turn means your loan is going to be for a shorter period.
6. There is no need to go in for financing options for add-ons, extended warranties and rust protection etc. Most of the new cars are available inclusive of all these additions.
7. Don’t get attracted only to a specific model as the dealer might offer you a high price and high interest rate. Keep 2-3 options in mind before going in for car financing.

Keeping the above points in mind will definitely help you get the best car financing deal.

Looking for the right financing option while buying a new or used car can be a daunting process, especially with dealerships doing all that’s in their might to make their financing programs sound highly attractive. However, if you are looking for a cheap auto loan, it is highly advisable to get started at your local credit union, where there are high chances of getting the best auto loan rates. The Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union serves multiple locations across Central Texas, and can help you to get the lowest used car loan, as well as attractive rates on new cars. We have been serving Central Texas since our establishment in 1957, and ensure that we provide the best deals to our customers.

Below is a list of the top reasons to get a car loan from a credit union:

• Credit unions are more likely than a commercial bank to consider personal financial issues such as a mediocre credit or previous credit issues. Even though credit unions essentially follow the same process for a loan application and approval, they offer a greater degree of flexibility, making them more customer-friendly.
• The interest rates at a credit union are typically much lower than those at other financial institutions, which equates to substantial long-term savings for the borrower.
• Being non-profit organizations, credit unions are member-oriented, which is why they offer a high degree of personalized attention, providing members with the best possible customer service. Since a group of volunteer board members is responsible for making all operation decisions, the members of the credit union have a greater say in how the credit union works.
• Credit unions provide their members with useful educational resources that can help them to make the right financial decisions when assessing the value of their car purchase. Credit unions help you to look beyond the dealership value of the car, into a clear assessment of the car’s real value.
• Credit unions follow a non-sales approach, contrary to commercial banks which grant bonuses and compensations to employees for loans that get approved. On the other hand, all the proceedings gained from credit unions are returned to the members in the form of lower rates and flexible loan options.

To learn more about the membership requirements, and used/ new car loans at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, contact us at (254) 690 - 2274.

• Save money: The terms and conditions for getting a home loan approval keep on changing from time to time. Therefore, if you are planning to apply for a home loan, make sure you have enough cash reserve. You may need to pay the down payment right away once your loan is approved.

• Get pre-qualified: Knowing how much you can afford is a key step in getting pre-qualified for a loan. Your lender may ask questions pertaining to your monthly income, estimated down payment and the assets you own. Pre-qualification helps in determining your borrowing capacity but it does not guarantee an approval for your loan.

• Get pre-approved: In order to get pre-approved for a housing loan, you need to submit your recent bank statements, proof of income, and income tax return papers along with employment information. This will help your lender in cross-checking if you have sufficient funds to repay the loan amount.

• Compare housing loan rates: Compare the various housing loan rates being offered by different credit unions to select the most suitable plan. Most of the credit unions in Killeen offer flexible loan terms thereby making it easier for customers to get approval.

• Know your credit score: It is important to review your credit score before applying for a home loan. This is a critical factor in deciding your eligibility for a home loan. Also, it is imperative to pay all your bills on time, lower your debts and have a good credit report.