Reasons Why You Should go for a Top-Up Loan

When you have taken out a loan, a top-up is an additional advance over and above the existing loan amount. Such a facility is popularly termed as top-up loan. It is particularly helpful when borrowers need new credit, but do not seek to avail external financing.  As the borrower's credentials are already submitted to the lender, securing top-up is hassle-free and less time-consuming. 

Here are some of the dominant reasons why a top up loan can be a favourable option -

• Faster processing and disbursal 

Since this additional credit facility is availed from an existing lender of home loan, both the verification process and fund disbursal happens quickly. All the relevant documents of the borrower have already been vetted. 

• Simpler criteria 

While borrowers opting for balance transfer can readily avail a top-up loan, it involves the simple CIBIL score criteria 750 or up, and a healthy credit repayment history. 

• No-end use restriction 

One of the major advantages of this additional credit is that there is no restriction on final utilisation of this fund. You can use to it meet any requirements, which may or may not be related to housing. For example, you would have the liberty to use it for interior decoration or to meet a medical emergency. 

• No further collateral

Borrowers are not required to submit any other collateral apart from what has already been mortgaged while taking out the home loan. Naturally, this credit line is a favourable option among borrowers. 

• Easy interest rate 

The interest rate on top-up is relatively lower than other unsecured loans, making this credit facility more cost-effective. 

• Income Tax benefits 

Borrowers can enjoy income tax benefits for funds available under this credit facility if used for a home extension, renovation, construction, etc. 

Should you seek to derive the full benefit of this credit line, find out about the top-up loan option on the home loan offered by your lender, and streamline your plan to use funds, accordingly. 

Read Also: Things you should know before taking a top-up loan.

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Step by Step Guide for First Time Home Loan Borrowers

Purchasing a home requires borrowers to a vital financial decision, and availing a home loan helps to fulfil this dream. Nonetheless, first-time homeowners often get confused about how they should make the most of availing these funds. 

Following is a step-by-step guide to help homeowners to make an informed decision. 

Step 1: Check the home loan EMI, eligibility, etc.

The first factor new home loan borrowers should check is the EMI payable and eligibility criteria to guarantee approval. In this regard, they can also use a home loan EMI calculator that computes the monthly instalment amounts efficiently. 

Step 2: Check the approval status of the property 

The property one is buying should have a proper and valid registration in the seller’s name. Depending on this factor, lenders approve the loan. 

Step 3: Choose an interest type 

Home loan interest rate is another crucial factor that borrowers will need to consider. Depending on the requirements, they can choose between fixed and floating interest rates. Since it determines the EMI component, borrowers need to be careful while making their decision. 

Step 4: Consider pre-payment and other charges 

Besides choosing housing loan rates, individuals also need to consider different charges that lenders often levy under various instances. For instance, pre-payment, foreclosure fees, etc., are some of the charges that borrowers need to pay. 

Along with that, they also need to know the documents required for home loan. It will expedite the loan verification process. 

Step 5: Choose a lender 

The last step comprises choosing the right lender. Borrowers need to compare home loan rates before settling for one. 

Therefore, following these steps, a first-time homebuyer can avail a housing loan and effectively optimise their borrowing experience. 

Read More: Documents Required for Home Loan Refinance

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Documents Required for Home Loan Refinancing

Individuals looking to avail a lower interest rate on their existing housing loan have the option of transferring the outstanding balance to a new lender. However, one needs to submit a few documents to initiate this home loan balance transfer process -

1. Consent letter 

An existing borrower needs to put in a written application to the current lender intimating about the balance transfer and issuance of consent letter for the same. 

2. No Objection Certificate

One has to obtain NOC from the present financial institution that indicates assent to transfer the outstanding loan amount to a new lender. 

3. Loan agreement

This agreement pertains to a sanction letter issued by the initial lender. 

4. Foreclosure letter

 It declares that the loan is foreclosed at a specific date without any outstanding balance. 

5. Post-dated cheques

To obtain a housing loan, borrowers have to submit post-dated cheques with the lender. These pending cheques are subsequently to be deposited with the new housing finance company. 

6. Property documents

Property documents are highly important for a home loan balance transfer. The entire set has to be submitted to the new financier.  

7. KYC documents

 The new financial institution would require these KYC documents –

• Identification proof 

• Aadhaar card 

• PAN card 

• Voter card 

• Driving license 

• Employment ID card issued by NREGA  

• Address proof

• Aadhaar card 

• Passport 

• Driving license 

• Voter ID 

8. Employment documents 

 These financial documents are essential for balance transfer –

• Latest salary slips 

• Previous six months' salary account statement 

• Form 16 from your present employer 

9. Property related documents 

For home loan transfer, the following set of documents are also required to verify the purchase of your property –

• No Objection Certificate from housing society or property developer 

• Property purchase documents 

• Registration certificate

• Stamp duty papers 

Depending on the new financial institution, further additional documents may have to be submitted for a home loan balance transfer, apart from your photograph and application form of the original lender. 

One should note that availing a top-up loan during balance transfer does not require borrowers to submit any additional documents.

Read Also: Important Things to Consider before Transferring Your Home Loan

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What is PMAY? Know the Facts About its Subsidy

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is an affordable housing scheme introduced by the Government of India in 2015. The aim of this scheme is to provide affordable housings to every Indian. Under this scheme, individuals will receive a subsidy on the home loan availed for the construction of new homes or renovation of an existing one.

Home loan subsidy available under this scheme for the middle-income group is limited to 3% on a loan amount of up to Rs.12 lakh. For the loan amount of up to Rs.9 lakh, applicants will enjoy a subsidy of 4%.

On the other hand, the applicants of PMAY from the EWS and LIG category will also receive a 6.5% subsidy on the loan amount of Rs.6 lakh. Moreover, they will be able to avail up to 3% concession on the loan amount of Rs.12 lakh.

However, to avail this subsidy, borrowers need to fulfil these following criteria –

1. Applicants who wish to receive benefits of this housing scheme must not have a pucca house anywhere in India.

2. Borrowers must not have availed benefits of any other government-backed housing scheme.

3. The guidelines of PM Awas Yojana strictly advises that women must own a property as a co-owner or a sole owner.

4. Individuals need to find a lender that has an MoU with concerned authorities to extend credit under this scheme.

5. Also, the property location must be within the limit of a town, as identified by 2011 Census.

6. Lastly, these benefits can be availed only on home loan applied on and after 17th June 2015. 

CLSS or Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme is the mainstay of this plan. Under this scheme, applicants from different economic sections will receive the benefits of interest reduction on their housing loan repayment. Recently, the government has extended the timeline for CLSS under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to 31st March 2022.

Read Also: How do I avail home loan subsidy under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana

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4 Factors That Can Affect Home Loan Interest Rates

 

While home loan interest rates in 2021 have been reduced to their historic lowest, there are several factors that borrowers must account for to enjoy a minimal cost of borrowing.

A host of parameters are taken into consideration which are calculating the home loan interest rate. Given that it is one of the biggest financial commitments that you would be making in your life, it would help you to get the most out of a home loan if you are aware of these factors -

1. Loan amount 

Most financial institutions levy a higher interest rate for a larger loan quantum. Hence, it is advised to make a higher down payment on your housing loan if you want the monthly instalment outgo to reduce. 

2. Credit score

Application for a home loan will only be considered if the borrowers' CIBIL score is 750 or above. With a high credit score, there is a greater chance of loan approval at a lower rate of interest. The same is also applicable if you are applying for a home loan with a co-applicant having a high CIBIL score.

Incidentally, if you apply for a home loan with your spouse, you are also eligible to enjoy home loan interest tax benefits.

3. Loan to value ratio

The loan to value ratio or LTV is the percentage of property value financed through the loan amount. The remainder has to be funded out of the borrower's pocket. 

As per the RBI circular, the LTV is capped at 75% for a loan amount upward of Rs.75 lakh. Accordingly, the interest rate charged is also high. You can use a home loan EMI calculator to determine your monthly outgo to avail such a loan amount. 

4. Type of rate of interest 

Borrowers can opt for a fixed rate or floating rate of interest for a home loan. For a fixed-rate loan option, the interest levied is higher owing to a higher risk to lenders. 

One must note that these factors that impact home loan interest rate will vary from one lender to another. Find out the applicable factors to avail the best interest rates. 

Read Also: Know the Benefits of using Home loan Calculator

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Know How to Deal with Hiked Home Loan Rates With Calm

 Home loan interest rate is determined based on the current market scenario. For instance, RBI controls the repo rate that further influences this rate. On top of that, lenders add their spread, and finally, a rate is proposed to borrowers. 

Thus, individuals who want to get rid of fluctuating home loan interest rates can adopt the following measures. 

• Part-payment 

Individuals can make full use of the surplus cash if they have to pay off a considerable portion of the loan. It will allow individuals to save substantially in interest payment and shorten the tenure. Selected financial institutions also facilitate part-payment with minimal charges. 

In this respect, they can use an annual bonus, interest income from fixed deposits, maturity and the likes. 

• Increase EMIs

Generally, lenders tend to increase the loan tenure if interest rate hikes. Even if it temporarily lowers EMI outgo, the cost of borrowing rises exponentially. Thus, it will be wiser for borrowers to opt for a high EMI and reduce the tenure. 

However, set home loan EMI amount as per repayment capacity, which will ensure smooth loan repayment. 

• Pre-payment

Paying off debts quickly allows borrowers to carry on other financial liabilities with ease. Thus, they can pre-pay EMIs to reduce the principal outstanding, in turn, lowering EMI and interest outgo. 

• Home loan balance transfer 

Another effective way to tackle hiked home loan rates is by choosing loan balance transfer. Existing borrowers can transfer their outstanding loan balance to a new lender, which offers better services and lower interest rates. To maximise the benefits, borrowers should opt for this option in the initial phase of repayment when the interest rate generally remains on a higher side. 

However, this transfer also accompanies several charges that borrowers have to pay both to new and existing lenders. Thus, before selecting, assess the need for the transfer and cost of it. 

These are some of the possible ways to manage hiked home loan interest rate with efficiency. 

Read Also: What factors Affect Your Home Loan Interest Rate

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These Factors are Going to Affect Your Home Loan Interest Rates

 Housing loan interest plays a crucial role in determining the cost of borrowing. Thus, it is imperative for borrowers to know the factors that may affect the home loan interest rates. 

Following are some of them. 

1. Loan amount 

Generally, lenders charge higher interest on borrowing a significant loan amount. Since the interest rates vary with lenders, borrowers need to compare financial institutions to get the best deal. Moreover, they can also opt for a substantial down payment to reduce their EMI component. 

2. Interest type 

Home loans generally come with three types of interest rates, fixed, floating and mixed. While the first two types are self-explanatory, a mixed option contains a fixed interest rate for a specific period, and the rest of the tenure accompanies floating interest rates. 

Typically, lenders levy higher interest rates on fixed and mixed interest rates. 

3. External benchmark of financial institutions 

From October 1, 2019, RBI mandated the financial institutions to link their floating interest rates with any external benchmark like repo rate, Treasury bill rates, and the like. Thus, the interest rate varies depending on this benchmark.

On top of that, lenders also decide their spread which is added to the interest rates. 

4. LTV ratio 

It refers to the percentage of value of a property that is extended to borrowers. RBI has specified that the LTV will be 90% for a loan amount of up to Rs.30 lakh, 80% for a loan amount of up to Rs.75 lakh and 75% for a loan value above Rs.75 lakh. 

Since the loan amount is determined based on this factor, the interest rate and EMI depend on it.

5. Credit score 

Since credit score shows a borrower's creditworthiness, lenders check for this parameter before sanctioning loans. For instance, individuals with a credit score of 750 and above are considered eligible to service a home loan.  

6. Job profile 

The income or type of employment of borrowers determines the interest rate of a home loan. For instance, lenders generally offer lower interest rates to salaried individuals. 

Thus, individuals can look out for these factors to get the best housing loan interest.

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Are you worried about the EMIs? Follow this Guide to Manage your Home Loan EMIs

 Availing a home loan from HFCs has become convenient, thanks to relaxed eligibility criteria. Borrowers searching for a substantial fund to purchase a residence or invest in home construction can apply for a home loan. Nonetheless, EMI repayment and interest payment is a monthly exertion.

This repayment burden can be tackled efficiently by employing specific ways for healthy savings. Individuals can compare different lenders in the market and opt for the competitive interest rate to reduce home loan EMI amounts.

Tips to reduce the EMI repayments on your home loan

• Go for a longer tenure

The repayment tenure significantly affects EMI and interest cost. One can reduce monthly instalments if an individual can opt for a longer home loan tenure. Nevertheless, it is essential to know that longer tenure can increase the burden of interest payment. Hence, this option should be chosen when an applicant is comfortable to repay a high interest rate.

• Make a substantial down payment

Applicants can increase the down payment to manage the EMI of a home loan. Through this process, a borrower can efficiently pay a substantial loan amount and reduce the outstanding balance. Moreover, this also helps to maintain low LTV ratio. 

• Estimate the EMI before applying

Borrowers should calculate the payable amount before opting for a home loan. This will help in understanding one’s capability of EMI repayment. In such scenarios, using a home loan EMI calculator can be helpful. With this tool, borrowers can estimate their instalments by entering interest rate, principal amount and the suitable tenure. 

• Opt for loan refinancing 

Financial institutions set their loan interest rate based on the current lending rate or Repo Rate of the RBI. Hence, existing borrowers who pay a higher interest rate against the home loan can opt for refinancing. Choosing a lender that offers a reasonable home loan interest rate helps in reducing EMIs significantly.

• Try negotiating with your lender

Individuals who maintain a 750+ CIBIL score can negotiate with a lender regarding interest rate reduction. 

Opting for these steps can help an individual to save significantly on their disposable amount. 

Read Also: Things to keep in mind while applying for a home loan

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When is the Ideal Time for Refinancing Home Loan

 When a borrower has an active home loan, EMIs of such credit are categorised under regular liabilities. Due to its long-term repayment, home loan refinancing is an option, which many borrowers tend to explore. A home loan balance transfer can reduce one’s liabilities effectively by reducing the amount of interest charged on the outstanding principal amount.

What does a home loan balance transfer mean?

The home loan balance transfer involves transferring one’s current home loan principal outstanding to a new lender, charging a restricted interest rate. This helps a borrower to save efficiently and manage monthly expenses smoothly.

Moreover, this facility comes with a top up loan facility. It ensures that existing housing loan borrowers are eligible to receive a substantial amount as an additional advance.

Factors to consider when opting for refinancing

• Choose a lender offering low-interest rate

The foremost rule to a successful refinancing is comparing different market lenders. An individual must evaluate the interest rate offered by the various lending institution. This helps in decision-making and opting for the one levying a lower interest rate.

• Find out the charges involved

An applicant must be aware of the fact that balance transferring of home loan account is not free. There are several charges linked with the process. Hence, an individual must assess and analyse the fees charged carefully. A borrower must shift his/her loan only when the interest rate payment becomes unbearable. 

• Determine the tenure left

Opting for a home loan balance transfer is useful when a significant portion of loan tenure remains. Shifting the balance when only 1-2 years of the period is left limits or nullifies any savings. The charges levied by a current lender would be relatively higher when compared to interest savings.

Keep in mind that, as per the amortisation schedule, financial institutions tend to charge the maximum interest during the first half of a loan’s repayment period.

Read Also: Tips to Consider before Applying For a Housing Loan

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