Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Tips On Shopping For Auto Loan In Killeen, TX

Buying a car is one of the major expenses that people indulge in and it is extremely important that all the options should be considered carefully before taking a decision. In order to help you out with the search as well as to reduce your overall expenses given here are some useful tips that can be of great help in deciding your auto loan.

  • Determine your budget: The first and foremost step is to clearly establish what you can actually afford and finalize your budget. This will help you determine which vehicle you can buy, either new or used, and clarity about your financing options. To make this decision you would need to calculate all your monthly expenses and then conclude if you will be able to afford buying a car.
  • Evaluate the cost of the car: Once you have set aside the expenditure plan you should check for your options in that budget. You can look through the internet or visit a local dealer for this however, make sure that you do not exceed your predefined budget.
  • Check your credit score: You must also check your credit rating in order to be assured that your loan application will be approved. You can consult a credit union to avail auto loans at lower interest ratesthan banks.
  • Do proper research: Do not decide on an option before comparing and researching several loan rates. Interest rates depend on a number of factors such as car make and model, your credit rating, the loan term, your financial status etc. Discuss with your agent about all the issues that come up in your mind and have all your questions answered. 
  • Focus on the loan amount: Your agent may ask you to lower the monthly repayment amount to make it easier on your pocket. Even though it may help you to save a few hundred dollars per month but it will add up to the interest rates. Thus, you should focus on lowering the loan amount instead of monthly payment.
  • Consider other finance options: If you are unemployed or not financially stable, auto loan might not be suitable for you. Instead, consider going for secured loans that offer more flexibility and ease in repayment options.

If you are looking for car financing options in Killeen, TX, visit Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union. We offer quick and convenient auto loans at competitive interest rates. For more information, feel free to call us at (254) 690 – 2274. You can also visit our office at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542.

Home Loan Tips For First Time Buyers

Most people who wish to gain possession of a new house seek for a reliable source of money to help them realize their dream. As a first time property buyer, there are a few things you should consider before getting a loan. They are mentioned below -

Decide the type of house

Before you even apply for a home loan you should be clear about the type of house that you wish to buy. Your options include apartments, duplexes, condos and mansions. Deciding on the most suitable kind of home helps you get suitable terms based on the price of the house (and consequently the return term for the loan). This can even help you score a favorable return term for investing in 'need based' acuity.

Decide the number of years

You as a loan seeker should decide on the number of years that you want to return the borrowed amount over. If you have a decent income and can afford it you should try to pay the debt off in a short term such as 4 or 6 years. The quicker a loan is paid off the lower is the gross interest amount. But before making your mind you should take your overall budget and foreseen expenses into consideration as well because selecting a longer term can help you deal with the costs even if you wind up paying more interest. 

Determine your loan eligibly

You should deal with all impending charges, bills and loans and focus on maintaining a consistent streak to get your credit rating higher to increase your loan eligibility. This will help you file for a loan successfully in the first attempt. In addition you should not forget to carry all the important documents to prove your eligibility.

Know about the charges

You should infer about the any additional charges before applying for the loan. Additional charges include those related to administration, service and any other fees. Also, choose the lender based on the amount of overhead charges charged with the home loans.

Consider credit unions

Finally, look into any credit union in your local area as the interest rate offered by credit unions is significantly lesser than a typical bank. As the very basis of their existence is to help the community the staff at credit unions is always rooting for their clients and goes out of their way to guide them. You can also use such credit unions to address other financial needs such as opening a saving or current account.

We, at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union provide affordable home loans. For more details, kindly visit us at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542 or call us at 254-690-2274.

Car Buying Made Easy: Credit Unions In Killeen, TX

If you have been thinking about buying a car and are worrying about the finances, then credit unions can be the perfect solution for all your concerns. The easy and affordable car loans offered by the credit unions in Killeen, TX have made car buying easy for everybody. Whether you want to buy a new or used car, there are a number of reasons why you should consider getting a car loan from a credit union.

  • Better chance of approval: You are more likely to get an easy approval for car loans at a credit union than from a bank. Credit unions aim at the benefit of their clients and are even ready to make slight modifications in the policy to suit the needs of their clients.
  • Lower rates of interest: A credit union offers affordable car loans at lower rates of interest than any other lending institution. With such low interest, you can make a lot of savings and invest your hard earned money in other profitable ventures.
  • User friendly loan process: With most lending institutions, the applicants have to personally go and submit the papers for the loan. However, with a credit union, you can even apply online for a loan which helps you save time.
  • Personalized services: Since credit union are non-profit organizations and is managed by a group of volunteer board members, they keep their customers’ interests on priority. You can freely talk to them about the loan, repayment options, as well as your financial position. They can suggest some loan options that could be better for your situation.
  • Resource centers: Credit unions have well established resource centers in order to provide information to the customers about the different financing options and help them in making the right decision.
  • Non-sales approach: Credit unions do not work for their own profit and rather their sole purpose is to provide easy car loans to those who cannot afford to pay heavy interests to the banks.

If you are planning to apply for an affordable car loans in Killeen, TX, visit Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union. We provide hassle free loans at competitive rates of interest. For more information about car loans offered by us, you can call at (254) 690 – 2274 or visit our office at 3305 E Elms Road Killeen, TX 76542.

Credit Unions: A Friendly Alternative To High-street Finance

Financial loans, whether secured from a personal or public source, are the first port of call in a situation where you need to borrow money to gain ownership of a house or vehicle. A loan is based on the fact that the bearer will repay the amount with the said interest over a fixed term. While bank loans are the most popular kind, local credit unions are fast gaining popularity as the preferred alternative to high-street financing companies. With a compelling list of advantages credit unions are more cost friendly and easier to apply to. Some of the benefits of dealing with credit unions are mentioned below.

  • The number one pull of credit unions is the fact that they offer loans at a substantially cheaper rate as compared to traditional banks. The primary reason behind the existence of a credit union is to be able to help the community and all the credit union members. Thus the staff at credit unions helps their members in fulfilling their dreams by providing quick financial assistance at cheaper rates.
  • Credit unions are non-profit organizations and the interest you pay is used to help other community and credit union members. This gives a feeling of helping others while your own needs are addressed simultaneously.
  • Securing loans are not the only purpose that credit unions help with. You can use them just like a regular bank in order to deposit funds, withdraw them, to use locker services, financial advice and many more services. As a credit union is an easy and cheap source to secure loans they stand out distinctly as a more favorable financial institution.
  • The staff at credit unions has a subtle yet different approach to dealing with their clients. They are helpful and focus on addressing all your queries at once, especially the ones related to taking certain necessary measures to qualify for a loan successfully, should you fail in the first attempt.  

There are several other advantages that come with taking your financial dealings to a credit union like access to a well spread network of ATM's and personalized customer support.

Car Financing: New Car Vs Used Car

Buying a car is not easy for most people and requires a heavy investment. Thus some important points like budget, type of car, after sales service and maintenance cost should be taken into consideration when making a car purchase.

Used cars

If you don’t want to invest a lot of money you can choose to get a used car financed. Credit unions have various programs to adjust to your need of financing and offer low interest rates. When you have qualified for a used car loan, you will need to fill a form and your financier will check your credit rating. Based upon this, they will decide the amount that you can borrow and give you different options of the monthly repayments that you can choose according to your preference. After you have finalized the car you want to buy, its details will be sent to the financier who will pay the amount to the seller. It is advisable to have your financing plan ready with you before going to the showroom to make the purchase. Your negotiating skills also come handy while purchasing an old car, as the better your skills higher the chances that you pay less for the car.

New cars

Purchasing a new car is a very huge investment and involves a lot of money. However, most lenders offer a longer repayment time for new car loans as they perform better and stay in good condition. New car loans are often secured against the car itself and the interest rates are also lower than those for used car loans.

The auto industry is rapidly growing and there are a number of car loan plans that are coming out every day. Thus, it is very important that you make a very careful decision regarding which one do you want to buy, new car or a used one, after having considered the pros and cons of each one.

If you want to apply for affordable new and used car loans, you can visit us at Greater Central Teas Federal Credit Union. We offer amazing plans for auto loans to all our customers. For more details, you can call us at(254) 690-2274. You can also visit our office at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542.

Credit Unions For Affordable Home Loans

If you are looking for a home loan, then there are a number of reasons that you should consider home loan from a credit union. For all those who are not aware about this option, credit unions are financial, non-profit organizations that offer checking and saving accounts, accept deposits, and provide credits for buying vehicles, homes, etc. The credit unions are member owned financial cooperatives that are entrusted with the responsibility of building up the local community. These unions do not have to pay taxes or other operating costs like other profit earning organizations.

Credit unions are exempted from most of the federal and state taxes and are carefully regulated.  These unions do not have to pay taxes or other operating costs, unlike other profit earning organizations, which helps them provide better services to their members. The National Credit Union Administration keeps a watch on all the credit unions and insures that the interest of the members is safeguarded. Credit unions have minimum operating costs and this makes them offer home loans at low mortgage rates as well as low closing costs which provides them a competitive edge over other organizations.

There are a number of benefits of getting home loan from credit unions and some of them are

  •  No fee
  • Low mortgage interest rates
  • Quick closings
  • Personalized service

Most of the credit unions offer a full range of mortgage solutions for buying a home, refinancing and even renovating a home. The credit union does a credit check once you join it and if you have a consistent income and maintain good credit then you can easily qualify for a home loan. Unlike conventional loans, the credit unions do not indulge in many formalities and follow lenient underwriting guidelines. To avail home loan from a credit union, firstly you will need to find a union that can offer you a reliable banking experience. You should research extensively to find a union that can help you and suit your requirements. You can enquire and find out about all the services offered by the credit union. Once you become a member of the credit union you will be provided with financial support and personalized services. By applying for a loan at a credit union you can be sure of easier credit check, low interest rates and personalized customer interaction.

 To avail home loan from a credit union, first you need to find a union that can offer you a reliable banking experience. Research extensively to find a union that can help you and suit your requirements. Find out about all the services offered by the credit union. Once you become a member of the credit union, you can get financial support and personalized services. Unlike conventional loans, the credit unions do not indulge in many formalities and follow lenient underwriting guidelines.

Must Do’s For First Time Homebuyers In Killeen TX

Buying a home is a big investment which requires a lot of hard work. If you have made up your mind to own a house then there is a list of things that you should consider. Home buying can be quite a lengthy process and it would be a safe bet if you have good knowledge about the whole process. Listed below are some of the most important things that every buyer must know before initiating the process of owning a home.

Pre-approval is necessary

Even if you have a huge amount of cash in hand, you will need the help of a lender. It would be good if you consult your home loan financier before even starting searching for a home. During this, you may be asked to provide detailed information about your income and finances.  With the help of this information, your lender will be able to provide you an outline of the cost that you will be able to afford which will be your first guideline to search a home.

Take the help of an agent

Taking the help of an agent is purely up to the personal choice of every buyer. However, hiring an agent can assist you throughout the process of buying. They have a fair idea about the available properties and their estimated market prices while helping you sign a reasonable deal. The realtors will also work out all the price negotiations with the seller.

Signing the agreement

Once the buyer and seller agree upon a price, the agent makes them sign an agreement. This will secure the deal for both the buyer and the seller and will include all the details about the property like the agreed price and the legal description of property.

Financing and Mortgages

You should make sure that you have selected the best home loan option. Credit unions are a better option when it comes to financing a loan. They provide instant approval for various types of secured as well as unsecured loans.

Keeping all the above point in considerations, you can’t go wrong while buying a home for the first time. But, it is important that you choose the correct and reliable home loan plan for you. We, at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, provide all types of secured and unsecured home loans in Texas. For any information, you can call us at 254-690-2274.

Credit Unions: Auto Loans With Great Options

Buying a car is one of the most important decisions that people make in their lives. It is a one-time investment which needs careful planning and preparation, down to the last little detail. Due to the high expenses involved most people go for financing when they think of buying a car. If you are thinking of taking out an auto loan, you need to find the right place where you can get the best rates and the best repayment terms. Credit union is one of the best options for an auto loan as they offer low interest rates and minimum credit checks.

There are various palpable and distinct advantages of applying auto loans from a credit union To name a few are:

  • Easier Approval – A credit union is one of the easiest places from where you can get your auto loan approved. If you have different needs or are in a unique situation, a credit union is more than likely to listen to you and try to understand your issues. Credit unions are usually more open to making adjustments in their rates and their repayment process while keeping the actual underwriting procedure and same loan application procedure.
  • Lower Interest Rates – If you take out your auto loan from a credit union you can expect a much lower rate of interest than if you approach any other institution. With those significantly lower interest rates, you stand to make long-term savings that you can successfully use in other areas.
  • Customized Services – Since credit unions are in essence non-profit organizations, they attach great importance to customer service. Instead of a corporate office making decisions credit unions have a board of volunteers. This makes credit unions much more accessible and personable as compared to other institutions. You get a friendly vibe and camaraderie with the belief and trust that the credit union has your best interests in mind all the time.
  • Information – Most credit unions have attached resource and education centers with the sole purpose of educating customers about different kinds of financing schemes and decision making. When you are looking to an auto loan financed with a credit union you can be sure to gain the knowledge and the insight to make a learned decision.

To apply for affordable auto loan in Killeen TX, kindly visit us at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union. We have amazing deals on auto loans for all our customers. For more information, visit us at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542 or call at 254-690-2274.

Refinancing Your Auto Loan? Switch To A Credit Union In Killeen TX

Buying your dream car is an important investment which needs a lot of careful thinking and planning for everything to go smoothly. It is a large, one-time investment which involves large amounts of money, and in most cases, the requirement to take out an auto loan. Car loans can be very expensive with interest rates being consistently on the higher side. With such a significant outlay of money, it is prudent to be careful when it comes to high interest rates and to find a deal where you do not have to spend so much extra. If high interest rates on your auto loan causes you to lose sleep and you decide to refinance your auto loan, a credit union in your locality might be the best option. Switching to a credit union can bring you major savings and can help you get your finances in order while you can still enjoy the benefits of your dream car.

How Credit Unions Can Help

Credit unions are nonprofit organizations and with that status they are in a position of strength when it comes to offering members deals of great value. Credit union members can save thousands of dollars when they choose to refinance their car loans. The procedure involves simple steps and a hassle-free agreement, and you could be on your way to making large savings on your auto loan. Re-financing your auto loan works exactly like re-financing any other kind of loan – you borrow the money from your local credit union to pay off your auto loan, with terms and rates which are remarkably more favorable and friendly.

The application process is quick and easy, and there is not even the need for your car to be appraised for you to get approval. If you are simultaneously paying off other loans, refinancing will almost certainly lessen your financial burden. Savings can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars- money that you can productively use elsewhere. Also, the earlier you refinance your auto loan with a credit union, the more you can save.

If you want to cut down on your monthly payments, you can change the terms of your loan when you refinance, and spread it out over a wider duration of time which gives you the option to pay lower EMIs. All things considered, switching to a credit union for refinancing your car loan can well be a smart move which brings home major savings.

To refinanace your auto loan in Killeen, visit us at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union. We are located at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542. You can also call us at (254) 690 - 2274.

Dos And Don'ts For A Home Loan

Before considering applying for a home loan, there are a few things that need to be understood to get the loan you want. Carefully thinking about what might adversely affect your home loan can save you from a lot of hassles like irregularities in payment of installments, unpaid balance on credit cards etc.  Applying for a loan for home can be very stressing and therefore, after carefully analyzing your financial position and credit history should one consider applying for a home loan. Below are some of the do's and don'ts that must be followed to make the home loan process smoother.

Dos

  • All the loan and debt payments should be made on time to keep your credit history clean. Not adhering to this rule deliberately reduces the credit score. This credit score determines what amount of home loan you will get if you manage to get one.
  • Credit card payments can be missed but payments of installments of other mortgages like auto loan should be prioritized. It shows that you pay installments on time. After looking at the performance of similar mortgage loans, the credit scoring system will assign you the score. Credit card payments can be made later as they have fluctuating balances.
  • To avoid raising any red flag, your credit card transactions should be normal like before and should not be stopped immediately.
  • Any inconsistencies, inaccuracy and missing information should be removed from the credit reports to make it clean of negative data.
  • Unpaid balance in credit cards should be paid off to the point that  balance ratio becomes less than 30%.

Don'ts

  • Loan approval process can be impacted by your job stability. If you are constantly changing jobs and changing positioning in a company it might hurt the approval of your home loan.
  • Any major purchases like car, lines of credit for furniture, expensive gadgets should be avoided. This also impacts your credit score and hamper your chances to get your loan approved.
  • Purchase of clothes for family should be limited. Instead of buying clothes at every occasion, they can be bought at one or two occasions.
  • A new credit card should not be opened. New credit card adds additional inquiry into your credit score which kills chances of getting a home loan.
  • Previous credit card accounts should not be closed either. It has a negative impact on your credit score.
  • Some people get a new loan while applying for a home loan. It looks bad with the underwriters and must be avoided.

Home loans applications can be rejected if the borrower doesn't comply with some of the tips mentioned above. No change in number, accounts, address should be made to avoid getting the applications rejected.

We, at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, offer home loans at very low interest rates. Interested individuals can contact us at (254)-690-2274 for more information or visit us at 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX  76542.