If you are looking for a House Loan to buy or build a new one for you? If yes, then you must know the general aspects such as what is the home loan, eligibility criteria for applicants, required documents for housing loans & interest rates, housing loan fees, tax benefits of house loans, etc.
What is a Home Loan?
House is a necessity for all human beings & owning a house is a dream for everyone today. During earlier days, only a few people had the privilege to have their own house but now with the availability of house loans provided by banks many people’s dream has come true. Home loans are the kind of loans that are provided either to buy an already built house or a flat or to construct a house on the land.
Types of Home Loans
The following are the common types of home loans:
1. Home Purchase Loan
As its name suggest this type of loan is borrowed for buying a new house. This house can be a prebuilt individual house or a Flat. Hosing loan to purchase a new flat, or pre constructed house is one of the most popular type of housing loan. This type of home loan is offered by almost every bank and non banking financial institutions.
2. Home Construction Loan
Home construction loans are tailored for individuals seeking financial support to build a new home on their own land, offering interest rates and application procedures akin to traditional home loans. They prove advantageous for those opting to construct rather than purchase a pre-existing house. The process entails evaluating construction costs and disbursing the loan in stages as the project advances, ensuring steady access to funds throughout the construction journey.
3. Hosing Conversion Loan
If you’ve previously obtained a home loan from a bank to purchase a house and are now considering purchasing another home, a home conversion loan could be your solution. This loan type transfers the balance from your initial loan to the new one. Many individuals choose this loan when they prefer not to immediately repay their first loan. However, it’s important to note that as this loan is intended for second home purchases, the interest rate might be higher than that of new home loans. The specific interest rate is subject to the policies of the lending bank you choose.
4. Home Improvement Loan
Banks in India provide home improvement loans for existing homeowners to fund repairs, renovations, or extensions. These loans cover both interior and exterior enhancements, with some banks offering specific home extension loans. Major Indian banks offer such loans, allowing borrowers to access around 80-90% of the project cost. These loans are commonly chosen by individuals who lack funds for home renovations. Loan eligibility depends on the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio and financial status.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifying for a housing loan necessitates meeting specific conditions set by lenders like banks & NBFCs. Financial institutions, banks, and lenders employ distinct methods to assess applicants’ financial status and credibility.
Notably, the criteria for eligibility can differ among lenders. These benchmarks gauge an applicant’s ability to manage loan repayments, considering aspects like credit history, income stability, and financial commitments.
To gain a thorough understanding of Home Loan Eligibility criteria, consulting the provided guide is advisable. This resource sheds light on the multifaceted factors that lenders consider when evaluating an individual’s eligibility for a housing loan.
Required Documents
When you want to apply for a house loan in India, you usually need to provide some documents. Just like when you need documents for school or work, you need them for a house loan too. These documents are important and show who you are and where you live. They also show how much money you have.
For a house loan, you need specific documents like Identity Card, Residence Proof, Financial Documents, etc. Giving the right papers is important to get the loan for your house. So, remember to gather all the needed documents when you want to get a loan for your home.
For more details read the guide here – Documents Required for Home Loan.
Interest Rates
Among various types of loans, home loans have the advantage of offering the lowest interest rates. Presently, the interest rates for housing loans begin at a favorable 6.7% and, in certain instances, can reach up to 9%.
It’s important to note that the specific interest rate you’re offered is determined by the lending institution and your credit score. Moreover, the interest rate can be influenced by the loan amount you’re seeking.
A noteworthy trend is that larger loan amounts tend to be associated with lower interest rates. Therefore, borrowers with substantial loan requirements might find themselves benefiting from even more attractive interest rates. This emphasizes the significance of both loan amount and credit score in securing the best possible interest rate on your housing loan.
Fore more details, read the guide here – Interest Rates on House Loan of All Banks.
Home Loan Fee
Getting a house loan involves more than just the interest rate, as there are additional charges to be mindful off. These charge includes processing fees, valuation costs, legal fees, and stamp duties.
The processing fee is contingent on both the borrowed amount and the specific bank you’re partnering with. Thus, when applying for a home loan, it’s crucial to factor in these expenses beyond the interest rate. These supplementary costs contribute to the overall expense of acquiring the loan and should not be overlooked.
Consequently, borrowers should conduct thorough research and comprehend the complete financial picture, encompassing these ancillary charges, before committing to a home loan. By doing so, individuals can make well-informed decisions and ensure they are financially prepared to cover all associated expenses.
Tax Benefits
A housing loan offers numerous tax benefits that can significantly benefit borrowers. These benefits includes exemptions provided under schemes like PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana), deductions on the interest paid towards the home loan, and provisions for joint home loans.
These tax benefits can substantially reduce the financial burden of repaying the home loan. The PMAY scheme, for instance, offers exemptions that can make owning a home more affordable, particularly for individuals from economically weaker sections. Deductions on home loan interest further alleviate the tax load and encourage homeownership.
Additionally, if a home loan is availed jointly, both co-applicants can potentially avail separate deductions. Overall, understanding and leveraging these tax benefits can make a significant difference in making home ownership more accessible and financially advantageous.
For more information read here about Home Loan Tax Benefits.