Debt consolidation signifies taking a new loan to pay off old ones that are usually unsecured. In simple terms, many debts are combined into a single one. One can undertake debt consolidation only for loans that are not tied up to an asset. For instance, education loans, credit card amounts, personal loans, and more. Usually, the new loan has favorable pay-off terms, such as a lower monthly installment, lower rate of interest, or both.

Loan types eligible for debt consolidation

• You can consolidate all credit card payments into a new credit card. It is a good idea to do this if the company charges little or no interest for some time. You can use the present card’s balance transfer feature too.
• Home equity loans or home equity lines of credit can also be consolidated, as the interest paid on such loans is deducted from taxpayers.
• Mortgage and car loans can also be consolidated.
• Users often consolidate medical bills as well.

Advantages of debt consolidation

There are many benefits in undertaking debt relief consolidation:

• The borrower needs to only make a single payment instead of multiple payments to multiple creditors.
• The borrower saves on interest and the financial cost of the small loans.
• Usually, the new loan either has a lower monthly installment, a lower interest rate, or, in some cases, both.
• There is less paperwork to deal with, and it is also smarter to have only one lender with a single point of contact.
• You could save on loan fees and some other charges.
• It could help in repaying your loans sooner.

Disadvantages of debt consolidation

• Debt consolidation could involve many costs such as some form of a lender fee. You could be asked to pay an application fee on a new loan, or if it is for credit card repayment, there could be an exit fee.
• At times, there might be government charges in the form of duties and taxes if the home loan is used to consolidate debts.
• It proves to be expensive in the long run, such as 10-20 years. The interest keeps increasing and you end up paying much more on the debt.
• The illusion of paying less debt because you have just one loan to pay off seems to be lesser than multiple loans, but you still need to pay the same amount of debt.
• Taking a secured debt consolidation loan can put your assets at risk if the loan is not paid back in full and on time.

Top debt consolidation programs to opt for in the country

• Sofi : They are the best when it comes to credit, with no origination fees and a low APR.
• Upstart : They have good credit with merit-based qualifications along with a flexible payment period.
• Prosper : They are good in terms of credit and have a high debt-to-income ratio.
• Lending Club : They have a fair to good credit and provide an option of a cosigner.
• National debt relief : They do not take any upfront fees and offer a reduction in debt in 1-2 years. It is ideal for those who are ready to take a short-term credit hit to get out of the stress of a huge debt.

Things to consider while choosing a debt consolidation company

• Type of lending company : These loans are usually given by private banks and peer-to-peer marketplace lenders. The former are more traditional in their approach with many fees and penalties, while the latter have more flexible lending options and easy loan approval requirements.
• Interest rate type : Many of the lenders offer a fixed AP, while the others offer fixed-rate and variable-rate loans. Choose the one you want based on your repayment capabilities.
• Loan and refinancing terms : These terms differ with each lender. They include the minimum and maximum loan amount, restrictions, minimum and maximum loan periods, receipt, and distribution of loans.
• Fees and penalties : These are costs that you undertake while taking a loan, and an increase in these costs could make your repayment difficult and delayed. These costs include prepayment, late fees, and origination.
• Repayment options : There are different options such as autopay, phone, or online payments.