Top 10 Must-Knows Before Taking a Home Loan

Top 10 Must-Knows Before Taking a Home Loan

Markets Desk | December 2, 2024

Image: Canva

Home loan is a long-term financial commitment that requires careful consideration. 10 factors every borrower must understand before taking home loan:

Image: Canva

Image: Canva

Banks and financial institutions determine your home loan eligibility based on income, age, credit score, and employment stability. Use online calculators to get a rough estimate.

Evaluate Your Loan Eligibility

Image: Canva

Image: Canva

Interest rates vary between lenders and even a small difference can impact the overall cost of the loan. Fixed rates provide stability, while floating rates may be more economical in a declining interest rate scenario.

Compare Interest Rates

Image: Canva

Image: Canva

Lenders typically finance up to 75-90% of the property value, requiring the borrower to arrange the remaining amount. Ensure you have sufficient savings for the down payment.

Check the Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio

Image: Canva

Image: Canva

A high credit score (750 or above) not only increases loan approval chances but also helps secure a lower interest rate.  

Credit Score Matters

Image: Canva

Image: Canva

Your Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI) should ideally not exceed 40% of your monthly income. Use an EMI calculator to plan your repayment schedule and ensure it aligns with your financial goals.

Understand the EMI Structure

Image: Canva

Image: Canva

Processing fees, legal charges, valuation fees, and insurance premiums add to the cost of borrowing. Review the loan agreement for hidden charges and negotiate waivers wherever possible.

Beware of Additional Costs

Image: Canva

Image: Canva

While longer tenure reduces the monthly EMI burden, it increases the total interest outflow. Strike a balance by choosing a tenure that fits your repayment capacity without overburdening you.

Loan Tenure Implications

Image: Canva

Image: Canva

Thoroughly review the loan agreement to understand prepayment penalties, foreclosure terms, and other clauses. Opt for loans with flexible repayment options to avoid unnecessary charges.

Read the Fine Print

Image: Canva

Image: Canva

Government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) offer interest subsidies to eligible borrowers. Check if you qualify and apply to reduce your loan burden.

Check for Subsidies

Image: Canva

Image: Canva

Real estate prices can fluctuate, impacting the resale value of your property. Additionally, interest rate hikes can increase your EMI under a floating rate loan. Ensure you have a contingency plan to manage such risks.

Assess Market Risks

Image: Canva

Next: Charlie Munger’s life lessons every investor should know
Thanks For Reading !
Find out More