Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

All about Secured and Unsecured Loans

29. June 2023 Administrator Blog (0)



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GCTFCU Blog | Home Loans
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Things To Consider When Deciding On A Loan Term

19. December 2016 Administrator Auto Loans, Home Loans (0)
Getting a loan has always been a daunting procedure. No matter you are a first timer or have prior experience in going through all the mortgage paperwork, there are a lot of things that need to be considered. You should perform a thorough research and evaluate all your options to ensure that you are making the right decision.

If you are planning to finance your home or vehicle purchase, one of the most important factors to keep in mind is the duration of the loan. There are both short and long term loans available. Here are some details on both types of loan plans:

  • Short term loan: A short term loan is usually for less than 3 years and is a good option if you want to save money in the long run. A smaller duration implies low interest rate and less amount repaid at the end of the loan tenure. However, you may need to pay more in terms of monthly repayments.
  • Long term loan: These can be defined as the loans that last for more than 3 years. These are generally preferred by borrowers who want to pay low monthly payments, despite of the fact that they end up paying more as the interest. Long term loans can either be secured or unsecured.
Things to consider when deciding the home or auto loan term:

  • Age: The age of the borrower has a major influence on loan term that he may be eligible for. Whether you are getting a loan from a bank or credit union in Killeen, make sure you inquire about any specific age criterion that they may have. Most lenders do not provide loan term loan to individuals who are nearing their retirement or have already exceeded that age. In such cases, you can either opt for a short term loan or inquire if you can allot a younger applicant to make the remaining payments post your retirement.
  • Your income: Your income is also an important factor in determining the amount of loan repayments you can conveniently afford every month. To select the most suitable loan tenure, keep in mind your total income from all sources and the financial liabilities you have to bear, i.e., insurance payments, kids’ education, home rent etc. Therefore, you should choose a plan that allows you to easily pay off the loan in the minimum time period while retaining sufficient savings for unexpected circumstances, such as a medical emergency.
  • Amount of loan required: The higher amount of money you borrow, more will be your monthly installments and interest payments. Hence, you should try to apply for a smaller loan so that you can pay the least amount of money at the end of the loan tenure. This way, you will not only be able to pay off the loan early, but also make considerable savings on interest payments.
  • Rate of interest: Comparing the interest rate quoted by the credit union is also important while deciding on the loan term. Depending upon whether you are opting for a variable or fixed interest rate, your overall loan payments may vary. For variable interest loans, you may have to pay higher monthly installments in case of a long term loan. This may be due to the fluctuations in the market rate over the span of years. Short term loans, however, may not be affected much in this case.
After evaluating all the factors, the general consensus is that you should opt for a home or auto loan that offers the lowest interest rate and for a shorter duration. However, make sure that you are able to pay the monthly installments without any sort of financial burden.

Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union is a leading credit union in Killeen. We offer a wide range of home and auto loan plans at low interest rates. You can also avail many other financial services by being a member of the credit union. For more details about our services, you can call us at (254) 690 – 2274 or visit our office at 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX  76542.

Applying For A Home Loan? Questions Your Lender May Ask

17. November 2016 Administrator Home Loans (0)
Getting a home loan is expected to be an extensive process as the lender may ask some important questions from the borrower. This may be done to clear any doubts regarding your financial stability. You need to be prepared with all the paperwork and documents at the origination of the loan-approval process. Following is a list of questions a lender may ask before approving your home loan:

Q: How much do you earn?
The lender may ask for the recent pay stubs in order to secure a fairer idea of your monthly income. The debt-tauthor">Administrator Home Loans (0)
Buying a home is a big decision which may get a bit overwhelming if one does not understand the mortgage process. There are some tangible preparations that need to be made while deciding on a home loan. A credit union works towards making the process as easy and smooth as possible for its members.

Here are the steps involved while applying for a home loan in Killeen:

  • Get a pre-approval: A pre-approved loan will let you know the type of home you can afford to buy. It also assures the seller that you are a responsible buyer and genuinely interested in buying the property. The lender will assess your total income, debts and other financial liabilities to evaluate the loan amount you can be pre-approved for. Once the amount is known, you can go about scanning for a suitable home in Killeen that suits your requirements.
  • Keep all documents ready: All the important financial documents like bank statements, employment letter, salary proofs, home insurance, tax returns etc. must be kept ready. These may be reviewed by your loan officer to assess your borrowing ability and submit the application.
  • Understand loan type: One must decide if he needs a fixed rate mortgage (interest rate stays the same during the entire tenure of the loan) or flexible mortgage rate (interest rate fluctuates according to the market trends). This choice may depend on your current and future financial condition.
  • Closing the loan: Once all the paper work is done with the credit union, the next step is to go through the terms and conditions of the loan plan all over again. You may need to submit a copy of the property documents and a few postdated checks to close the deal.
Your search for your dream home in Killeen will be fulfilled if you have invested enough time in understanding the loan process and making viable decisions.

Contact Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union for hassle free home loans in Killeen, TX. For details, call at (254) 690 – 2274 or visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX  76542.

Do's And Don’ts For Home Loan In Killeen, TX

14. May 2016 Administrator Home Loans (0)
Getting a loan for your dream home can be tricky because you need to be aware of all the procedures and documentation involved. Before applying for a home loan in Killeen, TX, be clear about your budget and the term period for which you want the loan. Below is a detailed list of various do’s and don’ts that you must follow:

DO’S:

  • Know what you can afford: Before submitting the application, you need to finalize the home that you want to buy. The value of your home will have a direct impact on your monthly loan payments. Evaluate all your expenses to determine the amount that you can easily pay towards the home loan every month. Make sure you choose a home that suits your budget.
  • Conduct thorough research: You need to conduct proper research while choosing your loan. Check all the options and available loan plans from various financial institutions before making any decision. It is wise to choose a loan that allows you to prepay the amount at any point of time without levying any additional charge.
  • Keep your EMIs unaltered: It is best to choose a loan which has unaltered EMIs as you will not have to worry about variation in interest rates during the tenure of the loan. If you are in a position to prepay the loan at any point of time during your loan period, request for a reduction in the number of your EMIs. Therefore, always settle on an EMI that you can comfortably pay without putting a burden on your pocket.
DON’TS:

  • Change jobs before closing the home loan: It is imperative not to change jobs till your home loan is closed. Make sure you talk to your mortgage provider before taking this step of changing your job and ask if it would have any effect on the terms and conditions of your loan.
  • Ignore additional costs: Apart from the home loan and interest, you may also have to incur other charges such as brokerage fees, loan fees, stamp duty etc. Therefore, do not forget to keep a check on the additional costs while finalizing your budget for the home loan.
  • Make a hasty or uniformed decision: It is best not to make a hasty decision while deciding the loan plan. Get a quote from at least three home loan providers in Killeen before choosing the one that suits you the best.
We, at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, offer low interest home loans in Killeen. For more information, you can call us at (254) 690 – 2274.

Credit Unions In Killeen: Membership Benefits

6. May 2016 Administrator Car Loan, Home Loans (0)
Credit unions are non-profit organizations that provide low interest loans and work towards providing maximum benefits to the members. The high quality of services offered to the members is one of the major advantages that draw people towards credit unions in Killeen, TX.

Listed below are some other membership benefits associated with a credit union:

  • Low rates of interest: The home and auto loans offered at a credit union are quite affordable which helps the members in saving a lot of money. Also, credit unions generally put forward higher returns on savings and certificates. A credit union can provide better rates of interest because it gives all the profits directly back to the members. There are no stakeholders who need to be given a share in the profits. Apart from the low rates of interest, credit unions also offer low-rate credit cards to the members. This also adds up to a significant amount of savings.
  • Equal rights: A credit union is basically member-based organization where every member shares an equal right to select the board of directors. The right to vote does not depend on the amount of money you have in your account. 
  • Superior quality of service: The staff at a credit union provides personal attention to each client and work towards achieving maximum client satisfaction. The service representatives are extremely well-informed and help the clients in resolving any issues associated with financial transactions.
  • Well-developed online system and ATM network: A credit union offers various online services for the convenience of their members. You can obtain all the information pertaining to your account with just a click of the mouse. You can even make online bill payments easily. Apart from this, a broad network of ATMs located in thousands of locations across Killeen allows you to withdraw money whenever required.
  • Community Service: There are a large number of credit unions that organize different kinds of activities to make the members aware about effective management of their finances. Therefore, they are extremely helpful as a community service organization.
Be a member of Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union to have access to low interest loans and various other financial services. For more information about the credit union in Killeen, TX, call at (254) 690 – 2274 or visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX  76542.

Credit Union Killeen - Apply Home Loan At Low Interest Rate

23. April 2016 Administrator Home Loans (0)
A credit union is basically a financial cooperative that offers home loans on membership basis at very low interest rates. It is customer-centric and works towards providing benefits to the members. Moreover, there are no minimum balance requirements, very less charges and all the accounts are federally insured.

Besides providing affordable financial services, a credit union has a number of benefits to offer as far as home loans are concerned. Low interest rates and minimal or no additional charges make credit unions a suitable option to get mortgage for your home. So, if you are also looking to apply for a home loan in Killeen, read on to know the advantages that you can enjoy as a member of a credit union:

  • Customer satisfaction: A credit union is a non-profit organization which works solely for the contentment of its members and give out all the monetary benefits to their members. Therefore, in order to get a home loan from a credit union, all you need to do is become its member and fulfill the specified terms and conditions. Once you become a member of the credit union, you are entitled to get lifetime benefits.
  • Get lower interest rates: If you apply for a home loan at a credit union, you will get the advantage of paying a lower rate of interest. This eventually means higher savings in the longer run. You can also compare the interest rates offered by various credit unions in Killeen and make a decision accordingly.
  • Large network of branches: Most of the credit unions belong to larger networks and therefore have several branches as well as ATMs available for the convenience of their members. So, the clients can easily handle their financial transactions from multiple locations across the city.
  • Lower fees: A credit union offers flexibility in terms of rates and fees charged for the home loan. The aim is to keep the fees as low as possible. You will be generally paid higher yields on savings and certificates.
  • Do online transactions: You can pay your monthly home loan installments either through check or online. You can also obtain all the loan information online and make bill payments. This means you can handle your accounts conveniently from anywhere.
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union is a leading credit union in Killeen, TX. We offer low interest home loans with minimal paperwork and easy repayment options. For details, you can call at (254) 690 – 2274.

Things First-Time Home Loan Borrowers Must Know

8. March 2016 Administrator Home Loans (0)
Buying a home is one of the most important and biggest financial decisions that you may take in your lifetime. The process of taking a loan to buy a home may seem overwhelming, particularly for first time buyers. The paperwork, jargons and formalities may prove to be too mind-boggling if you are not prepared.

Following factors will help to understand the constituents of a home loan and ease out the process if you are first time home loan borrower.

  • Principal Amount: This is the amount that you are looking to borrow. This may not be the actual price of the home as some investment needs to be done by the buyer in the form of down payment and only the rest will be extended as loan. The amount you can afford as down payment must be carefully decided keeping your financial position in mind.
  • Interest rates: There are two types of interest rates that you can opt from. Variable rate depends on the situation of the market and suits a borrower who can afford the volatility of the rate. Fixed rate remains the same for the entire tenure as agreed at the time of loan approval.
  • Eligibility: It is important to review your credit history so you are aware how much loan amount you are eligible for. You can also get a co-applicant for a loan that has a steady income to improve your combined eligibility and up the amount you can take as loan.
  • Time Period: After evaluating your current and future financial requirements, decide on the time period for which you will repay the loan amount. This may vary from 10 to 20 years and will affect your monthly payouts.
  • Processing Fees: Ask the agent at the credit union if there is any processing fee for the loan you are applying for. In some cases, this fee is waived off for customers depending on schemes offered by the lender and in other a percentage of the loan amount is charged.
  • Pre payment charges: Check if you will have to pay some extra charges in case you wish to pay your loan amount before the actual date. This may be a possibility if your financial condition improves and you are in a position to pay-off the loan.
  • Check all papers: Once the application has been processed, read all documents carefully. Every minute detail must be clear to you so there are no disputes in the future. You must also save all correspondences for reference.
We, at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offer home loans at affordable interest rates. For more information, you can call at (254) 690 – 2274.
GCTFCU Blog | How To Manage Money?
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

How To Manage Money?

17. May 2022 Administrator Blog (0)


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GCTFCU Blog | Terms You Must Know Before Taking Home Loan
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Terms You Must Know Before Taking Home Loan

5. November 2015 Administrator Home Loans (0)
When applying for a home loan, there is a lot of paperwork and documentation that you need to undertake. There are a number of jargons that you need to be familiar with for a hassle-free loan process. Here is a list of some of the common terms that you may come across while taking a home loan in Killeen, TX:

  • Offer Letter/Sanction Letter: It is a formal confirmation letter given by the financial institution from where you are taking the loan. This letter states that you have been duly considered to be one of the loan applicants. However, this letter does not confirm the approval of a home loan. The loan will only be sanctioned after verifying all the documents and eligibility criteria of the applicant.
  • Equated Monthly Installments (EMI): EMI is the amount you repay to your lender every month. It includes the principal repayment along with the interest amount. Three basic factors are considered while deciding your EMI. These include the principal amount, loan duration and rate of interest. An amortization schedule shows how your EMIs have been formulated over the period of entire loan term.
  • Pre-EMI: If you buy a property that is still under construction, you will be given only a part of the loan amount. You are required to make the interest payments on this partial amount. These payments are known as pre-EMI. This eventually means you will have to keep on paying more interest to the financial institution till the time your builder takes to complete the construction of the property.
  • Credit Appraisal: The process of credit appraisal involves looking at various factors before finalizing the loan. The financial institution will consider parameters such as income, age, savings, qualifications, work experience etc. They will also check the number of loans you are presently servicing. Your eligibility for the loan will only be finalized after scrutinizing all these factors.
  • Margin: It is important to note that any lending organization will not sanction you the entire amount required for your home. You can get up to 90% of the cost and the rest you will have to put in from your side. This balance amount is called down payment or margin.
  • Post-Dated Checks (PDCs): PDCs are scheduled for future dates and cannot be processed till the mentioned date arrives. Generally, the lending organization will ask you to give them post-dated checks for one to two years. These checks need to be addressed to the credit union or home loan company. The exact amount of EMI to be paid should be mentioned on these checks.
To know more about the home loan process, feel free to contact Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union at (254) 690 – 2274.
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