If you’ve ever wondered how to finance car, there are really only a few simple steps you have to follow. Car financing is very common since the average person doesn’t have several thousand dollars lying around to spend on buying a car outright. The car buying process is very simple once you know the basic format. When you follow these steps, you’ll be able the get the financing you need for the car that you want to buy.
1.Become familiar with your credit score
This is one of the most important steps in how to finance a car. Before you even think about borrowing money you need to know your credit score. Your credit score will let your lenders know your history with borrowing money. Frequently, there are mistakes on a credit report that will negatively influence your ability to get financing. Check your credit score and your credit report and correct any errors before you try to borrow.
2.Save a down payment
Your ability to borrow the money to pay your car is increased greatly if you place a down payment on your car. If you can manage a 20% down payment, your chances of borrowing will be very high. Even a 15% or 10% down payment can help lenders see that you are willing to put forth money to invest in yourself. Pick out your ideal car and start saving for a down payment. You’ll be rewarded with a better rate and lower payments on your auto loan.
3.Get pre-approved
Many people try to go to the dealership first and then get financing, but this is doing it all backwards. It’s much easier to shop for a car when you know exactly what kind of car you can afford. It’s very disappointing to have your heart set on a certain car, only to be told by your bank that you can’t afford it. In order to avoid this problem, why not secure the financing first? Most banks and lending institutions will arrange for you to get pre-approved for a certain amount. With this pre-approval, you’ll be free to shop for the type of car that you can afford or compare rates from other institutions.
4.Shop around for your car loan
Once you get pre-approved, you can use this rate to accurately evaluate other rates from sources online or other financial services in your area. You can compare rates by using a service like www.bankrate.com or visit other banks in your area. Shopping around can give you a better idea of the best deal for you. You may be able to find a source that has a lower APR or lower monthly payments than you were initially offered.
5.Purchase your car
After all this preparation, you can finally start shopping for your car. When you purchase your car, you’ll know that you’ve done all that you can to find the best rate. The next time you need a car you’ll know exactly