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A mortgage lien may sound scary, but any homeowner with a mortgage has one.

Then there are involuntary liens, which can be frightful. Think tax liens, mechanic’s liens, creditor and child support liens.

What Is a Mortgage Lien?

Mortgage liens are part of the agreement people make when they obtain a mortgage. Not all homebuyers can purchase a property in cash, so lenders give buyers cash upfront and let them pay off the loan in installments, with the mortgage secured by the property, or collateral.

If a buyer stops paying the mortgage, the lender can take the property. If making monthly mortgage payments becomes a challenge, homeowners would be smart to contact their loan servicer or lender immediately and look into mortgage forbearance.

Mortgage liens complicate a short sale.

They will show up on a title report and bar the way to a clear title.

Recommended: Tips When Shopping for a Mortgage

Types of Mortgage Liens

Generally, there are two mortgage lien types: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary

Homeowners or homebuyers agree to a voluntary, or consensual, lien when they sign a mortgage. If a homeowner defaults on the mortgage, the lender has the right to seize the property.

Voluntary liens include other loans:

•  Car loans

•  Home equity loans

•  Reverse mortgages

Voluntary liens aren’t considered a negative mark on a person’s finances. It’s only when they stop making payments that the lien could be an issue.

Involuntary

On the other side of the coin is the involuntary, or nonconsensual, lien. This mortgage lien type is placed on the property without the homeowner’s consent.

An involuntary lien could occur if homeowners are behind on taxes, HOA payments, or mortgage payments. They can lose their property if they don’t pay back the debt.

Property Liens to Avoid

Homeowners will want to avoid an involuntary lien, which may come from a state or local agency, the federal government, or even a contractor.

Any of the following liens can prohibit a homeowner from selling or refinancing property.

Judgment Liens

A judgment lien is an involuntary lien on both real and personal property and future assets that results from a court ruling involving child support, an auto accident, or a creditor.

If you’re in this unfortunate position, you’ll need to pay up, negotiate a partial payoff, or get the lien removed before you can sell the property.

Filing for bankruptcy could be a last resort.

Tax Liens

A tax lien is an involuntary lien filed for failure to pay property taxes or federal income taxes. Liens for unpaid real estate taxes usually attach only to the property on which the taxes were owed.

An IRS lien, though, attaches to all of your assets (real property, securities, and vehicles) and to assets acquired during the duration of the lien. If the taxpayer doesn’t pay off or resolve the lien, the government may seize the property and sell it to settle the balance.

HOA Liens

If a property owner in a homeowners association community is delinquent on dues or fees, the HOA can impose an HOA lien on the property. The lien may cover debts owed and late fees or interest.

In many cases, the HOA will report the lien to the county. With a lien attached to the property title, selling the home may not be possible. In some cases, the HOA can foreclose on a property if the lien has not been resolved, sell the home, and use the proceeds to satisfy the debt.

Mechanic’s Liens

If a homeowner refuses to pay a contractor for work or materials, the contractor can enforce a lien. Mechanic’s liens apply to everything from mechanics and builders to suppliers and subcontractors.

When a mechanic or other specialist files a lien on a property, it shows up on the title, making it hard to sell the property without resolving it.

Lien Priority

Lien priority refers to the order in which liens are addressed in the case of multiple lien types. Generally, lien priority follows chronological order, meaning the first lienholder has priority.

Lien priority primarily comes into play when a property is foreclosed or sold for cash. The priority dictates which parties get paid first from the home’s sale.

Say a homeowner has a mortgage lien on a property, and then a tax lien is filed. If the owner defaults on their home loan and the property goes into foreclosure, the mortgagee has priority as it was first to file.

Lien priority also explains why lenders may deny homeowners a refinance or home equity line of credit if they have multiple liens to their name. If the homeowner were to default on everything, a lender might be further down the repayment food chain, making the loan riskier.

How to Find Liens

Homeowners or interested homebuyers can find out if a property has a lien on it by using an online search. Liens are a public record, so interested parties can research any address.

For a DIY approach:

•  Search by address on the local county’s assessor or clerk’s site.

•  Use an online tool like PropertyShark.

Title companies can also search for a lien on a property for a fee.

If sellers have a lien on a property they’re selling, they’ll need to bring cash to the closing to cover the difference. If the seller doesn’t have enough money, the homebuyer is asked to cover the cost, or they can walk away from the deal.

How Can Liens Affect Your Mortgage?

An involuntary lien can affect homeowners’ ability to buy a new home, sell theirs, or refinance a mortgage. Lenders may deem the homeowner too big a risk for a refinance if they have multiple liens already.

Or, when homeowners go to sell their home, they’ll need to be able to satisfy the voluntary mortgage lien or liens at closing with the proceeds from the sale. If they sell the house for less than they purchased it for or have other liens that take priority, it may be hard to find a buyer willing to pay the difference.

Liens can also lead to foreclosure, which can impede a person’s chances of getting a mortgage for at least three to seven years.

How to Remove a Lien on a Property

There are several ways to remove a lien from a property, including:

•  Pay off the debt. The most straightforward approach is to pay an involuntary lien, or pay off your mortgage, which removes the voluntary lien.

•  Ask for the lien to be removed. In some cases, borrowers pay off their debt and still have a lien on their property. In that case, they should reach out to the creditor to formally be released from the lien and ask for a release-of-lien form for documentation.

•  Run out the statute of limitations. This approach varies by state, but in some cases, homeowners can wait up to a decade and the statute of limitations on the lien will expire. However, this doesn’t excuse the homeowner from their debt. It simply removes the lien from the home, making it easier to sell and settle the debt.

•  Negotiate the terms of the lien. If borrowers are willing to negotiate with their creditors, they may be able to lift the lien without paying the debt in full.

•  Go to court. If a homeowner thinks a lien was incorrectly placed on their property, they can file a court motion to have it removed.

Before taking any approach, you might consider reaching out to a legal professional or financial advisor to plan the next steps.

Recommended: Home Loan Help Center: Tips, Tools, and Education for Home Buyers

The Takeaway

Mortgage liens can be voluntary and involuntary. Many homeowners don’t realize that the terms of their mortgage include a voluntary lien. It’s involuntary liens they would be smart to avoid.

Mortgages can be complicated, but SoFi is here to make things simple. If you need a mortgage on a primary home or investment property, a jumbo loan, a refinance, or home equity loan, get pre-qualified painlessly with SoFi.

Explore the advantages of SoFi fixed rate mortgages and find your rate.

FAQ

What type of lien is a mortgage?

A mortgage lien is a voluntary lien because a homeowner agrees to its terms before signing the loan.

Will having a lien prevent me from getting a new loan?

Some liens can keep people from getting new loans. Lenders are unlikely to loan applicants money if they have multiple liens.

Is it bad to have a lien on my property?

A mortgage lien is voluntary and not considered bad for a borrower. But an involuntary lien prohibits owners from having full rights to their property, which can include selling the home.

How can I avoid involuntary liens?

Homeowners can avoid involuntary liens by staying up to date on payments, including property taxes, federal income taxes, HOA fees, and contractor bills.

Can an involuntary lien be removed?

Yes, an involuntary lien can be removed in several ways, including paying off the debt, filing bankruptcy, negotiating the debt owed, and challenging the lien in court.

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Photo credit: iStock/adaask
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Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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The funds from a personal loan can be used for anything, from paying off high-interest credit card debt to buying a new spinning bike. But how hard is it to qualify for a $3000 personal loan? And what if you have bad credit?

Online lenders tend to cater more to borrowers with bad credit. They will also charge higher interest rates and financing fees because a borrower with bad credit is considered higher risk.

Read on to find out how to get a personal loan, what credit score you need for a personal loan, and where to go to get a loan if you have bad credit.

Can I Get a $3,000 Personal Loan with Bad Credit?

A personal loan is money borrowed from a bank, credit union, or online lender. Loan amounts range from $1,000 to $50,000, and the principal is paid back with interest in fixed monthly payments, typically over two to seven years. Personal loans are flexible, meaning they can be used for any purpose, from a cross-country move to home improvements.

Getting approved for a personal loanthat is $3,000 with bad credit may mean you have to jump through a few hoops to qualify. What is bad credit? According to FICO, someone with a score of 580 or below is considered a credit risk.

When calculating an individual’s credit score, FICO and other rating agencies will look at whether you pay bills on time, how long you have held credit lines or loans, your debt profile, how often you use credit, how often lenders have pulled your credit report, and your history of bankruptcy or foreclosure.

A low credit score indicates that you could be at a higher risk of defaulting on a loan. To compensate for that risk, a lender may charge you a higher interest rate for a loan or credit card, or you may have to put down a deposit.

What Is the Typical Credit Score Required for a $3,000 Personal Loan?

Since $3,000 is not a large loan amount, a credit score between 610 and 640 should suffice for an “unsecured” personal loan (a loan with no collateral). The higher your credit score, the less interest you will pay.

Benefits of a $3,000 Personal Loan

The benefits of a $3,000 personal loan include flexibility and predictability. The loan can be used for anything you need, and the payments will be the same each month until the loan is paid off.

Interest Rates and Flexible Terms

The interest rate for a personal loan will be fixed for the term of the loan, and the repayment terms are flexible, ranging between one and 10 years. Personal loans typically have a lower interest rate than a credit card, and the rates are even better if you have excellent credit. You might also be able to borrow more using a personal loan versus a credit card.

No Collateral Required

An unsecured personal loan does not require any collateral. Some loans require the borrower to use their car or home as an asset to guarantee the loan. The interest rate may be a little higher for an unsecured loan than it would be for a secured loan because the lender assumes more risk, but you won’t risk your car or home if you default.

Recommended: Secured vs. Unsecured Personal Loans

Fixed Monthly Payments

A personal loan will have fixed monthly payments for the life of the loan, which makes budgeting for bills easier.

Cons of a $3,000 Personal Loan

A personal loan might not be the best option depending on your situation and the loan’s purpose. Here are some of the downsides to a personal loan.

Debt Accumulation

Many people use personal loans to pay off credit card debt because the interest paid on a credit card is generally more than the interest paid on a loan. However, this can be a double-edged sword if they end up with a higher credit limit and the ability to rack up even more debt.

Origination Fees and Penalties

Personal loans may come with significant fees and penalties that can drive up the cost of borrowing. An origination fee of up to 6% of the loan amount is not uncommon. If you decide to pay off the balance before the term ends, you may have to pay a penalty.

Interest Rates May Be Higher Than Other Options

This is particularly true for people who have a low credit score. In that case, a credit card might charge a lower rate than a personal loan.

If you have equity in your home, another option is a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Alternatively, a credit card balance transfer might charge a lower interest rate.

Where Can I Get a $3,000 Personal Loan?

You can get a personal loan from online lenders, commercial banks, and credit unions. Online lenders are super-convenient and fast. Loans are often funded within two days. You can also get pre-qualified and see your loan terms before you apply. An online lender might do a soft credit check before you accept the loan, but your credit rating will not be affected.

Credit unions may offer lower interest rates and more flexible terms for members. Federally chartered credit unions cap APRs at 18%, so borrowers with imperfect credit may receive lower rates than they would elsewhere. A history with a credit union might boost your eligibility.

A bank will typically require good credit to qualify for a personal loan. You may also need an account with the bank. Account holders are likely to qualify for the lowest interest rates and bigger loans. You may have to visit a branch and complete the application in person.

How to Apply for a $3,000 Personal Loan

1.   Check your credit score. You may find errors on your credit report that you can fix to boost your eligibility for lower-rate loans.

2.   Compare the terms and conditions offered by lenders. A personal loan calculator can help you determine what your payments will be.

3.   Pre-qualify if you can, because it won’t affect your credit score and will help you with your comparison.

4.   Consider using your car or other collateral to get a better rate with a secured loan.

5.   Use a co-signee (with good credit) to get a better rate. The co-signee’s credit rating is considered along with your own, but they must agree to pay the loan if you cannot.

6.   Gather the documents you need and apply to the best lender. Examples of documents you may be asked to provide are W-2s, paystubs, and financial statements.

$5,000 Personal Loan

Here’s an example of typical loan terms for a $5,000 personal loan. Rates are accurate at the time of writing for a loan through SoFi for someone earning around $50,000 with good credit.

•  The monthly payment on a two-year loan with an interest rate of 6.99% would be around $224.

•  The monthly payment on a three-year loan with an interest rate of 7.66% would be around $156.

•  The monthly payment on a six-year loan with an interest rate of 11.38% would be around $96.

$10,000 Personal Loan

The monthly payment on a personal loan of $10,000 at a 5.5% interest rate over a one-year term would be $858, with $300 in total interest paid over the life of the loan.

The Takeaway

A personal loan is a way to get flexible financing quickly. These loans can be used for any purpose, and the term of the loan can range from 12 months to 10 years. Banks, credit unions, and online lenders offer these loans at varying interest rates.

Personal loans are popular for people who want to consolidate their debt or pay off credit cards that charge a higher interest rate. The requirements for a loan depend on the lender, but a good credit score will give you a better rate. Alternatives to a personal loan are a HELOC, or a credit card balance transfer as long as the card charges a lower interest rate.

SoFi’s personal loans can help you consolidate credit card debt. The fixed interest rate is significantly lower than that on most credit cards.

Looking for a personal loan? With SoFi’s Personal Loans, there are no fees required and no collateral required. Check out

SoFi’s Personal Loans — get your rate in just 1 minute!

FAQ

What credit score is needed for a $3,000 personal loan?

According to FICO, someone with a score of 580 or below is considered a credit risk. A score of between 610 and 640 is typically required for an unsecured personal loan.

Is it possible to get a $3,000 loan with bad credit?

Some lenders, particularly online lenders, will extend personal loans to people with bad credit. However, the terms may include high interest rates. Many online lenders specifically target borrowers with bad credit.

What’s the monthly payment on a $3,000 personal loan?

The monthly payment on a $3,000 loan will depend on the lender, the loan term, and the interest rate. For example, the monthly payment on a two-year loan with an interest rate of 6.99% would be around $224.The monthly payment on a six-year loan with an interest rate of 11.38% would be around $96.

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SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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The maturity date for a personal loan is the date on which you’ll be finished paying off your loan. It’s important to mark this day on your calendar, not only to celebrate successfully paying back your debt, but also because it can tell you important information like how much you’ll ultimately end up paying in interest.

Here’s a look at how to figure out the maturity date for your personal loan, and other important loan terms you should know.

What Is the Loan Maturity Date?

The term “maturity date” can refer to loans or investments. In investing, it refers to the day on which you’ll receive the money you invested, for example, in a savings bond or certificate of deposit. You’ll get your investment back, plus any remaining interest that’s due to you.

If you’re a borrower, the maturity date of a loan is the day your lender has scheduled for your loaned funds and any interest to be paid off in full. In the case of a mortgage, you may be given the option to refinance your loan at this point. Otherwise, with the loan paid off, you will no longer owe any interest to your lender.

If, for whatever reason, you still have a balance after your loan maturity date, talk to your lender and work out a plan to pay off the remainder of your loan.

Recommended: What Is a Personal Loan?

How Does the Loan Maturity Date Work?

Your loan’s maturity date is a part of your initial personal loan agreement. You can find it on your loan contract. For example, say you take out a $10,000 personal loan on July 1, 2022 with a 36-month term. The loan maturity date will be 36 months later, on July 1, 2025.

It is possible to pay off your loan early before the loan maturity. This can save you money in interest payments. However, be mindful whether your lender charges prepayment penalties. These penalties can outweigh the advantages of paying off your loan early.

Length of a Personal Loan Maturity Date

A loan term is the amount of time you’ll have to pay it off before you reach the maturity date, usually calculated in months. You can often find personal loans with terms from 12 to 60 months, and some lenders will offer loans with terms of up to seven years or longer.

The longer your term, the longer you’ll be paying interest, which makes these longer-term loans more expensive for borrowers. When choosing a loan, you may want to consider one with the shortest term possible, as long as you can comfortably afford the monthly payments.

Calculating Your Loan Maturity Value

Knowing your loan maturity date is necessary when calculating how much you’ll eventually end up paying your lender in interest. The maturity value formula is:

V = P x (1 + r)^n

Where P is the principal amount of a personal loan, r is the interest rate per period of the loan, and n is the number of times interest will compound between the beginning of the loan and the loan’s maturity date.

For example, say you take out a $10,000 personal loan with a 36 month term and 9% interest rate. Is this case P = 10,000, r = 8%, and if interest is calculated annually, n = 3. The equation would look like:

V = 10,000 x (1 + 9%)^3
In this case, V = $12,950.29.

When you subtract the $10,000 principal amount, you’ll find that with this loan, you’ll end up paying $2,950.29 in interest.

What Happens at the Personal Loan Maturity Date?

As mentioned above, at the personal loan maturity date, you ideally will have paid off all of your loan principal and whatever interest you owe. You should be able to do this handily if you make all of your loan payments on time.

However, this may not be possible if you’ve fallen on hard financial times. If you think you’ll have trouble making a payment on time, reach out to your lender immediately and see if there’s anything they can do to help. They may allow you to pay at a later date.

Other Important Information on the Personal Loan Agreement

In addition to maturity, you’ll find other useful information on your personal loan agreement.

Loan Principal

Your loan principal is the initial amount of money that you borrow, and it is the amount you agree to pay back with interest. So if you take out a $30,000 personal loan, the loan principal is $30,000.

The amount of interest that you pay will be determined by the principal. When you make a payment each month, the payment amount will first pay down whatever interest you’ve accrued, and then it will be applied to the principal. As your principal amount shrinks, so too will the size of your interest payment.

Loan Interest Rates

The interest rate is the amount that your lender charges you to borrow, and it’s the main way that lenders make money. Most personal loans rates are fixed interest rates, meaning the rate will not change over the life of the loan. The average personal loan interest rate is 9.41%, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve. But rates will vary depending on your credit score.

Variable rate loans, on the other hand, carry interest rates that are usually pegged to a market interest rate. As a result, they can change over the life of the loan.

There may also be hybrid situations in which a loan starts with a fixed interest rate for a period of time, after which it switches to a variable rate. If market rates have gone down, this can be a good thing for borrowers. But if they’ve gone up, a variable-rate loan could be more expensive than its fixed-rate counterpart.

Monthly Loan Payments

You’ll be able to find the amount you owe each month on your personal loan agreement. Your loan payment should be the same over the course of your loan unless you have a variable interest rate.

The Takeaway

Knowing your personal loan maturity date is useful to help you plan your financial future. It can help you determine how much a personal loan will cost you over time, which is especially important when comparing loans of varying terms and interest rates from different lenders.

As you shop for personal loans, consider loans from SoFi, which offers low fixed rates on loans from $5,000 to $100,000 for those who qualify. SoFi loans also carry no additional fees, including origination fees and prepayment penalties.

Find out more about using a SoFi personal loan to make life easier.

FAQ

What happens if the loan is not paid by the maturity date?

If your loan is not paid by the maturity date, work with your lender to come up with a repayment plan. If your loan payment is late or in default, you may face penalties and your credit score may suffer.

What is the maturity date on a loan?

The maturity date on a loan is the date by which a borrower has agreed to pay off the loan principal and interest.

When is the maturity date on a loan?

Loan maturity dates will vary depending on loan term. Most personal loans carry terms of 12 to 60 months or more.

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SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

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As you’re shopping around for the best terms and rates on a personal loan, you may wonder: Is it better to apply for a loan online or in person? While both options can lead you to securing a personal loan, the process and even the fees and rates can differ for an online loan application vs. in-person.

If you need help deciding which option to go with, this guide can help you figure out whether you should look at applying for a loan online vs. in person.

What Is an Online Personal Loan?

An online personal loan is an installment loan that you borrow and agree to pay back with interest. Personal loans are usually unsecured loans, which means you don’t have to put up collateral (such as a house) to be able to get the loan. That also means you’ll be paying a higher interest rate.

Personal loans are known for being flexible, and there are several ways to use a personal loan. You can use one to consolidate credit card debt, pay for home renovations, pay for IVF, or use the funds for just about any other reason.

An online personal loan acts like a regular personal loan with the only difference being that the lender has a presence online. Online loans can come from traditional banks, or they may come from lenders who only operate online.

What Is an In-Person Personal Loan?

Getting an in-person personal loan allows you to obtain a personal loan with the assistance of a bank or credit union employee. They can help you through the process. From collecting documents to submitting your loan application, there’s a lot of attention that an employee can give you when you apply for one of the different types of personal loans.

Applying for a Loan Online vs In-Person

Applying for an online personal loan has never been easier or faster. Technology automates much of the process so you can know what the lender’s decision is fairly quickly — often on the same day.

Beyond the ease with which you can apply for a loan online or in-person, there are a number of other factors you’ll want to consider.

Fees

Fees and rates can differ from loan to loan. Shopping around for rates and fees is going to help you compare personal loan interest rates and find the lowest personal loan origination fees and APRs out there.

While you might see low rates for online lenders, you may also be able to negotiate a lower rate with the bank representative. Sometimes, having an existing relationship with the bank can help you get a lower interest rate, or even help with getting approved for a personal loan.

Approval Process

When you get to the approval process, an online loan application vs. in person is going to be faster. This is because technology automates much of the process for approval when you apply online. Sometimes, you can receive a decision — or even funding — on the same day.

With an in-person application, you can expect to wait several days or even longer for loan approval and disbursement. Plus, not as many banks and credit unions allow you to pre-qualify like online lenders often do, which can give you an idea of your odds of approval and your potential rate without impacting your credit score.

Convenience

If you’re the type that can quickly fill out information online and upload documents with ease, you may just want to apply online. However, if you would prefer some help through the process of applying for a personal loan, you may consider finding a physical location of the bank or credit union instead.

Security

When it comes to security, applying online for a personal loan is as safe as any other online transaction. Yet, that might not make you feel comfortable enough to do it. If you’re not confident in transmitting personal information over the web, you might consider visiting a branch location to apply for a personal loan.

Personalized Support

Support can be seen as more attentive at an in-person branch. You can have your issues heard and the bank employee can explain things like the personal loan principal and the personal loan maturity date so they make sense.

Online support can be hit or miss, depending on the company. This is one area where an in-person experience might make you happier.

Which Is Better: Applying for a Personal Loan Online or In-Person?

If you value personalized attention, apply for a personal loan in person. On the other hand, if you’re tech-savvy and appreciate the speed and savings an online lender can offer, you may prefer to apply for a personal loan online instead.

At the end of the day, you’ll see advantages with each option whether you choose to apply for a loan online or in person. What’s really important is to find a loan with the most competitive terms and the lowest rate.

The Takeaway

Applying online for a personal loan may allow for a faster approval and funding process, plus you can complete the entirety of the application from the comfort of your home. If you’d rather have someone there to walk you through the process, and you have a longstanding relationship with your bank or credit union that you think could favorably impact the terms you receive, then applying in-person might be better. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference — and where you can get the best offer for a loan.

If you’re in the market for a personal loan, compare personal loan interest rates with Sofi. With no fees required, low rates, and same-day funding, SoFi’s personal loans can offer you the flexibility and competitive terms you need. Applying online is easy and a prequalification rate check doesn’t go against your credit.

Take a look at SoFi personal loans today.

FAQ

Is applying for a loan online safer than applying for a loan in-person?

Applying for a loan online is as safe as any transaction conducted over the internet. If you’re worried about sharing your personal information online, you can go into a credit union or bank branch and apply in person.

Is there a difference in cost when applying for a loan online vs in-person?

Whether you’re applying for a loan online or in-person, you should always shop around for the best terms and rates. Online lenders may have lower overhead costs and be able to pass those savings on to customers. On the other hand, banks where you apply in-person may be able to offer rate or fee discounts for existing customers.

Is it quicker to apply for a loan online or in-person?

In most situations, it is quicker to apply for a loan online than in person. Processing is generally faster, too.

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Photo credit: iStock/fizkes

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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The answer is more complex than you might think. Paying off a car loan can help your credit profile by reducing your debt-to-income ratio. But closing out a loan can also have several negative effects on your credit history. And paying off a loan early isn’t the best decision when there are better ways you can use that money — or save it for an emergency.

We’ll discuss how much paying off a car loan helps your credit, and when paying it off early really does pay off.

Recommended: Should I Sell My House Now or Wait

How Credit Scores Are Calculated

The fact that you got a car loan means you know a little something about your credit score. But it’s always helpful to learn more about how those scores are calculated. According to FICO® Score, your credit rating is made up of five parts:

•   Payment history (timely payments): 35%

•   Amounts owed (credit utilization): 30%

•   Length of credit history: 15%

•   New credit requests: 10%

•   Credit mix (installment versus revolving): 10%

Whether you’re applying for a personal loan or a car loan, the same factors are used to determine your creditworthiness.

Recommended: What Credit Score is Needed to Buy a Car

Recommended: Pros and Cons of Refinancing a Car

Does Paying Off a Credit Card Help Your Credit?

For the sake of comparison, let’s say you buy a car with a credit card. (In real life, this is usually a bad idea because credit card interest rates are considerably higher than for auto loans.) How would paying off the credit card balance affect your credit score?

No matter what you’ve heard, maintaining a credit card balance doesn’t help your score. That’s because the amount you owe, also called credit utilization, accounts for 30% of your score. To calculate your credit utilization, add up the credit limits on your cards. Then divide that figure by your outstanding balance(s).

Let’s say your credit limit is $20,000. If you buy a used car for $10,000, you’re utilizing 50% of your available credit. So paying down your balance — or paying off the whole $20K — will boost your credit utilization factor.

But there’s a key difference between paying off a credit card and paying off a car loan. After you pay off the credit card balance, the account remains open (unless you take action to close it). This is called revolving credit: You can repeatedly use the funds up to your credit limit, as long as you continue to make payments.

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How Paying Off Your Car Loan Early May Affect Your Credit Score

A car loan is considered an installment loan, one with a starting balance that’s paid down each time you make a monthly payment. According to credit reporting agency Experian, paying off an installment loan can briefly cause your score to dip.

That’s because the loan is no longer “active,” so your timely payment history is no longer contributing to your overall credit score. Paying off an installment loan can also affect a person’s credit mix and the average age of their open accounts.

Recommended: What Credit Score Do You Need To Buy a Car?

How To Decide Whether To Pay Off Your Car Loan Early

There’s no one answer that fits every borrower. See which pros and cons below apply to your situation.

When It’s a Good Idea To Pay Off Your Car Loan Early

If any of these statements resonate with you, paying off your car loan early is likely the right decision.

•   You have trouble juggling your monthly bills and would be glad to have one fewer to deal with.

•   You hate the idea of continuing to pay interest on the loan.

•   The money you free up can be used to pay down another debt, add to your savings, or spend on pursuits you’re passionate about.

•   You’re considering taking out another loan, and paying off this one could help you qualify.

But wait! Check out the drawbacks to paying off a loan below before you decide.

When It’s Better To Keep the Loan

Even if you’re eager to pay down some debt, sometimes you’re better off financially keeping a loan. See if any of these disadvantages affects your cost-benefit analysis.

•   Instead of paying off the loan, investing the lump sum might net you more profits than you’ll save in loan interest.

•   If you’re using savings to pay off the loan, you may find yourself short in an emergency.

•   Some loans come with prepayment penalties. Make sure you won’t be charged for paying off your loan ahead of schedule.

•   As noted above, paying off an installment loan can have a negative impact on your credit mix, payment history, and length of credit history.

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About To Make Your Last Scheduled Loan Payment?

Now is the perfect time to test how much paying off the loan will impact your credit score. You can find your credit score for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Check your score before you make your final payment, and again a month or so later.

Or you can sign up for a service that monitors your credit score for you. What qualifies as credit score monitoring varies from service to service. Look for one that will alert you whenever your score changes.

You’ll also want to decide how you’re going to use those funds going forward. You may decide to pay off other debts (especially credit cards), build your savings, or invest the funds. A money tracker app can give you a helpful overview of your finances.

Paying off a car loan can sometimes lower your auto insurance premium. Check with your insurance carrier, and shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

The Takeaway

The reality is that paying off a car loan may cause your credit score to dip. But it can still be the right decision if you have plenty of savings to cover the balance due. After all, you’ll save money on interest, lower your debt-to-income ratio, and have one fewer monthly bill to juggle. It depends on your financial circumstances, and if you have other, higher-interest debt that should be paid off first.

With SoFi, you can manage your money while also benefiting from free credit monitoring. Connect all of your accounts on one mobile dashboard to see the big picture and receive financial insights based on your profile.

Track all of your money in one place — at no cost.

FAQ

How much will my credit score go up if I pay off my car?

Your credit score may actually dip, but it depends on your specific financial situation. That’s because paying off an installment loan can have a negative impact on your credit mix, payment history, and length of credit history.

Will paying off a car loan early improve credit?

Each situation is unique. Paying off a loan will improve your debt-to-income ratio, which lenders look at to determine your creditworthiness. However, it can also have a negative impact on your credit mix, payment history, and length of credit history.

Why did my credit score drop when I paid off my car early?

Credit score algorithms are complex, and every borrower’s situation is different. If your car loan was your only installment loan, closing it reduced your credit mix, which accounts for 10% of your score. Paying off a loan can also reduce the overall length of your open credit accounts, another factor used to calculate your score.

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