If you have decided that you would like to have a personal loan, then this should just be a first step. You should be careful not to then just decide that you will have the first loan of this type that you come across. It is really important to make sure that you do not make a hasty decision. This is because, although all loans may look quite similar, you might find that you will see quite big differences between them when you compare them. You want to make sure that you pick the one that you think will provide you with the best value for money. There will be different things that will be important to different people though and you should consider the list below but also think about what will be the most important for you.

Interest Rates

It can be tempting to compare the interest rates on the different loans and use that as a basis to compare them. It can seem to be a great idea and if you use a comparison website you might even find that this is the way that they will judge people. However, it is a good idea to think carefully about whether this because it is not necessarily the best way to judge lenders. There are two main reasons for this. The first is because you might find that they do not use the same interest rates. Some lenders might quote their APR or annual percentage rate and others may use the AER or Annual Equivalent Rate which includes any fees that they are charging as well. This means that you are not comparing the same figures. Also, some may have additional fees as well as the interest rate.

Other Fees

The other fees might include administration fees that everyone has to pay. These will vary between lenders. You will also have to pay fees or charges if you miss the repayment. This will vary between lenders as well. Even if you are confident that you will be able to repay the loan, it can be a good idea to find out how much these fees might be. It could be that there are several lenders which are very close on price and you could use the fees as a way to decide which you think will be best for you to take out.

Repayments

It is so important to make sure that you will be able to make the repayments on time. You might find that the lenders will differ in how much they expect you to repay and how often. It is really important to check this out and compare between lenders. This is because it is important that you choose a loan that you will be able to repay. You should have a look at your bank statements and calculate how much you will be able to afford to repay. This will enable you to be able to work out how much you can afford and you will then be able to match the loan to that.

Other

There may also be other things that you are concerned about. You might want a lander that you have heard if or that has good reviews or that has good customer service. You will need to do further research such as looking at their website and at review sites in order to find out this information. It is a good idea to think about what is important to you and then trying to find the lender that will offer you the best value for money. It can take time but it will be worth it as you will have a better borrowing experience.