Many of us turn to a loan against property to fulfil the dream of buying a home. A loan against property allows us to get the funds needed to buy a property and pay it back in monthly instalments. Financial institutions assess various factors to check your eligibility to mitigate risk. Let's dive further to understand these factors:
- CIBIL Score
Your credit score reflects your creditworthiness and gives a view of your financial behaviour. A higher credit score indicates responsible credit management and increases your eligibility. To improve your credit score, ensure timely payments on existing debts, maintain a low credit utilisation ratio, and avoid unnecessary credit accounts. - Income and employment stability
All lending institutions assess your employment stability to confirm your ability to repay the loan. Naturally, lenders prefer borrowers with stable jobs if they are salaried, and stable businesses if they are self-employed. They also check your debt-to-income ratio, which is the percentage of your monthly income used to repay debts. - Debt obligations
The institutions look at your debt-to-income ratio to assess your ability to manage additional debts. They analyse your current debts, such as credit card debt, car loans, student loans, and other outstanding obligations. Keeping your debts under control and maintaining a reasonable debt-to-income ratio can increase your eligibility. - Down payment
The down payment amount you can make plays a significant role. A down payment is a percentage of the property's value you pay upfront. Making a larger down payment reduces the loan amount and proves your commitment to the purchase. Most financial institutions require a specific percentage of the property value as a down payment, ranging from 3% to 20%. - Property valuation
Your potential lender will assess the property to ensure it is worth the loan amount. If the property value is lower than expected, it may affect your eligibility or loan terms. They conduct a thorough appraisal to verify the property's worth and ensure it serves as sufficient collateral for the loan. So, it is wise to conduct your research and understand the market value of the property you plan to purchase.