What is a secured loan?

A secured loan requires you to pledge an asset, such as your home, as collateral for the secured loan. In the event of missing a payment or defaulting on the loan, your bank or lender can then collect the collateral and repossess the property as a matter of last resort . This type of loan generally has a lower interest rate because the bank has less risk since it can easily collect the collateral if you default on payments.

On the positive side, a secured loan can be a good way to build credit if you go through a reputable lender like a mainstream high street bank.

Types of Secured Loans

Mortgages are secured because your home acts as collateral for the loan. If you miss payments, you can go into forfeiture and lose your home.
Car loans are also secured loans. Similar to a mortgage, the car itself is asset for the loan. If you default on payments, the car can then be repossessed.
Secured credit cards are another type of secured loan. The bank will usually require you to make a deposit against the card’s limit, which guarantees the loan. Banks will do this for customers who are trying to build their credit history, or for those trying to improve bad credit.

The Good: Benefits of Secured Loans

Generally, secured loans are meant for those who have been denied unsecured loans. When used correctly, they can help build your credit score and credit history so that you can approach high street lenders again. Banks also like them because there is less risk involved. Lower interest rates are another advantage of choosing a secured loan.

When choosing a secured loan, you should carefully consider what you will use as collateral. In addition, you should ensure that you are able to make payments in full and in a timely fashion, as not to be faced with losing your asset.

As mentioned, a secured loan is a great way to build your credit. However, it is important to make sure you pay everything on time so that you can see a difference in your score.

The Bad: Beware of Losing Your Collateral

The danger of a secured loan is that you may lose whatever you set up as collateral if you fail to make your payments on time. Also, taking on too much debt may make it difficult to meet all of your financial obligations.

Carefully consider your budget and ability to pay on the loan before you borrow any money. If you default on the loan or make late payments it can also adversely affect your credit score.

Transferring Unsecured Debt to Secured Loans

If you have unsecured debt, you should not transfer it into a secured loan. For example, many people take out a second mortgage to pay off their credit cards or take out a title loan on their car to pay off other bills. This puts your home or car at risk if you were to default on the loan later on.

Instead, it’s better to work on paying off your unsecured debt quickly. You may consider selling items that you have or take on a second job to pay off debt as quickly as possible.

Keeping your unsecured debt as is while you pay it off will protect you (and your assets) in the long run—even if it seems like you will be paying off debt forever. A high street bank or a smaller bank may be willing to work give you an unsecured personal loan to help you lower the interest rate on your credit cards.

Secured Loans – Managing Your Borrowing

It is important to carefully consider the financial aspect of any loan before borrowing. Many people simply think about the amount of the monthly payment, but if you want to buy a home soon or refinance, you will want to think about how this affects your total debt-to-income ratio, as well as the limits that the monthly payment will have on your budget and saving ability.

If you find yourself in a situation where you are struggling to make your monthly payments, then your best bet is not to borrow any more money, review and adjust your living expenses, and focus on getting out of debt. A good budget can also help you get control of your money and see areas where you can cut back on your spending.