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

Common Issues With Auto Loans

An auto loan is one of the best ways of buying the car of your dreams irrespective of your present financial status. However, before getting your car financed, it is important to be well-versed with all aspects of such loans. You must have knowledge of how the interest rates work, number of installments involved, terms and conditions, etc. Before finalizing on an auto loan, it would be good to consult a financial expert who can throw light on common problems that are encountered in auto loans and what can be done about them. Such advice will be helpful in letting you know what to expect and how to avoid potential problems.

Auto loan issues and their solutions

  • Overspending: The ease with which you can buy a car through auto loans tempts some people to go for cars that are very expensive. They fail to see what the future implications of such a step could be and end up being stuck in a situation where the monthly payments they have to pay are higher than their monthly net income. To prevent such pitfalls, always stick to your budget and no matter how lucrative the deal seems to be, stick to a plan in which the monthly payments you have to make do not exceed 20% of your monthly income.
  • Research on the current interest rates: Some consumers get auto loans without having a clue about the current interest rates and are not even aware whether the interest rates being offered to them are competitive or not. Prepare yourself well in advance with some knowledge about the prevailing interest rates.
  • Review the contract before signing: Looking for an appropriate car loan can take its toll on the borrower to such an extent that he ends up signing the contract without going through it. Such a faux pas could lead to accepting terms and conditions that one is not even aware of. You can thus end up agreeing to get an extended warranty, rustproofing, etc. Such things can escalate your expenditure, so make it a point to crosscheck the contract carefully before signing.
  • Pressure tactics: The dealership staff is well trained at pressurizing consumers into accepting their deals and this can be quite baffling at times. The pressure and confusion clouds your thinking and in the rush of the moment, you end up signing the deal despite having second thoughts about it. Always resist such pressure and take your time to understand what you are getting into even if it means walking away at that time and coming back after a few days with a sorted mind.

For more information about auto loans in Central Texas, visit us at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union. We are located at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542. We can also be contacted at 254-690-2274.

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GCTFCU Blog | The Essentials Of Auto Financing
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

The Essentials Of Auto Financing

Auto financing can be a hectic process if it is done without proper planning and research. It is an essential part of the loan process taken up by many banks and financial institutions. Auto financing generally refers to the financing of the car, but it may also include other auto vehicles. Thus, while you plan to finance your vehicle, you should investigate all the available options that best suit your requirement.

It is important to choose your Auto financing partner wisely. Some of the major things which you should always keep in mind before getting finance for your vehicle are mentioned below:

  • Check your credit upfront before going for auto financing and take the decision wisely.
  • Compare all the available options for auto loans in the market evaluating their respective competitive prices being offered.
  • Check out the local bank or the credit union which may offer you with low rate of interests and are more convenient.
  • You can also opt for dealer financing where the dealers of the auto companies who provide you with the auto vehicles get your loans sanctioned themselves.
  • You can also examine leasing aspect according to your suitability. It can be a wise as well as a worse decision you can make, as it strictly depends upon your particular needs and requirements.
  • You should always keep in mind not to stretch your budget limits and allot only that part of your income which you can spend comfortably on a monthly basis.
  • Also, do not overextend your loan tenure to 8 - 10 years as it is a long time and various changes take place during this which may or may not complicate your situations.
  • Ensure that you make the maximum amount of money in down payment as you don’t have to stretch or exhaust your savings afterwards.   

For more details on wide range of auto loans and auto financing in all credit situations, you can contact us at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542 or call at 254-690-2274.

Auto Loan in Killeen, Tx - Secured Auto Loan

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GCTFCU Blog | Fixed Vs. Floating Interest Rate: Home Loans In Killeen, TX
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Fixed Vs. Floating Interest Rate: Home Loans In Killeen, TX

Getting a home loan from a credit union in Killeen, TX is not a very tedious job as there is minimum paperwork involved. However, you need to choose whether you want to opt for a fixed or floating rate of interest. Both the options have their own advantages as well as disadvantages and it is up to you to decide which one is better.

Fixed rate of interest home loans

A fixed rate of interest implies repayment of loan in fixed equal installments during the loan term. In this case, the rate of interest remains constant and does not change with the market fluctuations.

Advantages:

  • No alterations in the rate of interest irrespective of market conditions.
  • Perfect option for people who have fixed budgets.
  • It is a secure alternative.
Disadvantages:

  • Loans are 1 to 2.5% higher than floating interest rate depending on the bank.
  • If the interest rate decreases in the market, you will not get any advantage.
  • In some instances the fixed rate home loan is fixed only for a few years and not the complete loan tenure.
Floating rate of interest home loans

If you apply for a home loan with a floating rate of interest, it simply means that the interest rate will differ as per the market conditions. In this instance, the interest rates are associated with a base rate and a floating element. Therefore, if there is any alteration in the base rate, the interest rate also fluctuates.

Advantages:


  • Cheaper than fixed interest rate home loans.
  • If the floating rate increases than fixed rate, it is temporary and not for entire loan period.
  • Can prove to be beneficial if you want to save money.
Disadvantages:

  • Monthly installments are not constant.
  • You can face difficulty in planning your budget.
  • There has been a hike in floating interest rates in recent times.

It can be concluded that fixed as well as floating interest rate home loans in Killeen have positive as well as negative aspects. Generally, borrowers opt for a floating rate of interest when applying for a home loan from a credit union. However, if you want more security and certainty, it is better to opt for a fixed rate home loan.

If you are looking for affordable home loans in Killeen, TX, consider Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union. For more information, call at (254) 690 – 2274 or visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX  76542.
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