• Step one: Getting a personal loan.

Getting a personal loan doesn’t have to be complicated, you just have to take it one step at a time. The first step to getting the ball rolling and applying for a personal loan would be checking your current credit score.

The easiest way to check your credit score would be is by using a free credit service offered by your bank. You want higher chances of getting approved for a personal loan and a lower interest rate by having a higher credit score.

Credit Score category:

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Getting a lower credit score it’s not the end of the world, there are still many lenders that can provide you with a personal loan.

The best way to approach a lower credit score would be to pull your credit report and fix the errors which will boost your credit helping you get a better personal loan.

To increase the chances of having a good credit score would be to pay your bills on time and keep your credit utilization lower. 

• Step two: Choosing how much to borrow.

Choosing the amount to borrow would be up to the borrower, Sit down and either count up how much you will need or use an online calculator that will help you determine the payments so you can see how much you can afford.

When determining an amount you’re looking to get consider other fees associated with a personal loan such as loan origination fees which can add up to 10% of the loan. 

Selecting a term can also play a role in your monthly payment, for example, the longer the term the less the payment will be. But the longer the term the higher the interest rate will be.

Usually, I suggest playing with a loan calculator and finding a perfect balance that works for you. 

• Step Three: Get a pre-approval process started. 

Before getting approved for a personal loan lenders give you an option on what you will be approved for by providing some personal information helping you get some idea of what loan you will be qualified for.

Most lenders will conduct a soft credit pull during your pre-approval process which will not mess with your credit score. When getting the pre-approval the lender will usually need some personal information such as income, loan purpose, credit score, or employment information.

Each lender will have a different pre-approval process and information they use to determine the estimates.

The best way to increase your approval chances is to get a co-buyer or look into secure loan options, which can help the lender eliminate some risks of not getting paid back on their loan and decrease your chances of not getting approved. 

• Step Four: Shop around for lenders.

Getting a personal loan is really similar to getting a product. For example, when buying a tv you look over the options offered to you online and choose the best one that fits your needs.

In the same way, you should shop lenders by getting pre-approvals from multiple lenders helping you make the best choice. Something to consider when shopping around for the right lender would be amounts, payments, annual percentage rates, and the fees and charges they might have. 

• Step Five: Understand the loan agreement. 

Before accepting any agreement be sure to read the fine print carefully and research all the information helping you get the best understanding of what your rights are and what is expected from you as the borrower.

Try to pay close attention to important stuff such as interest rates, repayment schedules, penalties, and fees associated with the lender. 

• Step Six: Finish your application

After you had your chance to look over a few lenders and select the one that you believe will help you accomplish your goals.

Most lenders will ask you for personal information to determine if they are able to approve you so be ready to provide information such as your identification, proof of income, and a way to prove your residence are the most common things lenders look for when approving you for a loan.

The application requirement will vary from lender to, be prepared to provide the information to help them get you approved faster.

As a common practice in the lending industry when an individual applies for a loan they will perform a hard credit pull to determine the full picture of the prospective borrower which will slightly decrease your credit score and appear on your credit report. Once you receive the loan, make sure to plan how to get it paid back on time.