Title Loans in Salem 101: Everything You Need to Know
Have you ever been in a financial rut? Or maybe you are going through one right now and need cash immediately?
Either way, we all know that sometimes some support may just be what you need to overcome this.
If you are looking for some cash FAST for some emergency, have house bills to pay, or tuition fees to take care of, title loans in Salem can help.
Ready to know how? Read this article to know more about applying for a car title loan in Salem and how you can pay your loans back!
What Do I Need to Know About Salem Car Title Loans?
Salem title loans first emerged in the market of the United States in the 1990s.
According to the Center for Responsible Lending and Consumer Federation of America, title loans have grown increasingly popular because they are set apart from traditional loans.
In the following subsections, we will tell you all about the reasons why title loans are so different from traditional loans and how they can even benefit you.
What Are American Title Loans, Exactly?
Title loans are under the category of short-term loans. You can consider them as some sort of cousin of payday loans, although they also have differences.
Like any other loans in Salem, title loans require collateral for instant cash. The collateral of title loans is the car title loan.
You may also have heard of title loans called or referred to in Salem with the following names:
- Auto title loans
- Vehicle title loans
- Pink slip loans
How Can Title Loans Benefit Me?
American title loans, particularly in Salem, have been helping many people in the country, especially those who are not getting approved for traditional loans.
The top priority of online title loans (Salem) is to meet you where you are and understand your unique financial situation so we can help you.
This section will enumerate all of the advantages of title loans over other types of loans.
1) The Loan Process Is Super Simple
Have you ever tried applying for a bank loan and waiting for your loan approval in Salem? We have all been there, and we know that it can take a long while.
With online title loans (Salem), we know that you have to get the cash as fast as possible when you have an urgent need. And we try to meet that.
You don’t have to wait for weeks or months just to wait for your approval because the process of your application will be taken care of as soon as you submit it.
Did you know that it is possible to submit the application and receive the money on the same business day? That’s how much we are committed to meeting your needs.
For your speed in going through the loan process, we truly believe it can be finished in a single day.
2) Title Loans Won’t Make You Wait in Line
With the waiting for the approval comes the physical waiting for your turn to submit your application. That’s traditional banks for you.
But here in a car title loan, we want to make the application experience as efficient and convenient as possible.
You can submit your application and start your process anytime, anywhere, as available online in Salem.
What’s good about this is you don’t even have to adjust your schedule for applying. You can fill out the loan form during your commute or any other free time.
If you are a stay-at-home parent or working from home, you won’t have to go outside to apply.
We encourage you to use our online loan application system for your convenience.
3) Your Credit Score Won’t Disqualify You
One of the main differences between a car title and bank loans is their attitude toward credit scores.
When it comes to banks in Salem, a poor credit score will automatically disqualify an application, but in car title loans, bad credit will not.
We are not saying that credit score is not part of the criteria. Other lenders will still use the credit score and give better deals and lower interest rates for those with higher credit scores.
But, if you are someone with a low credit score, you will still be accepted based on other factors – which we will talk about below.
American title loans give a fair chance to everyone that wants to have cash fast, so you don’t have to worry about getting disqualified immediately.
4) You Can Keep Driving Your Car
One of the biggest misconceptions we have ever heard is that you will have to surrender your car when applying for title loans in Salem.
That is far from the truth. Let us explain how.
The collateral you will have to exchange for the money is the car title, NOT the car. This means that your vehicle is yours for the duration of the loan.
You can continue driving your car around Salem, Virginia, especially if you use your car daily for chores and other responsibilities, as long as you pay on time.
How Can I Prepare for My Loan Application?
Now that you know all the benefits you can get from title loans in Salem, we will discuss what we need to do to ensure a successful application.
Here are some helpful tips that will make your application easier:
#1 Research About Title Loans in Salem, Virginia
Different title loan companies operate title loans in Salem. Each company has its strengths and weaknesses, and they offer different deals.
The purpose of researching is to ensure that you get the right lender for you.
Remember, a title loan is still a personal loan, and you will need to have the right loan terms and conditions for it to benefit you.
We will advise you to list all the offers and deals of all the title loan companies in Salem, Virginia. Compare and contrast them with each other, especially each company’s lender.
Believe us, and you will be saving a lot of time and effort when you filter your loan application into those who will benefit you.
#2 Read About the Virginia Law on Title Loans
One of the greatest worries of many people when it comes to applying for a title loan is being caught in an illegal scam.
While there is a possibility of that happening, we recommend that you read about the laws in Virginia that pertain to an auto title loan.
First and foremost, title loans are legal in the State of Virginia. But, they are only allowed to operate by the State if they are licensed to do so.
We recommend that you read Chapter 22 of the Code of Virginia. You’ll find everything you need to know about title loans here. Read it here.
You will learn what the law prescribes the lenders to do, offer, and operate their companies. In this way, you will know what is allowed by the law or not.
Moreover, the law will provide you with some guidelines on choosing a title loan company and a lender that is right for you. In this way, you can avoid shady businesses and deals.
#3 Check Your Budget
While there are a lot of Salem affordable title loans, it is also prudent on your part to check your budget, so you can be sure that you can make the loan’s monthly payments.
Of course, the bigger the loan amount you borrow, the bigger the amount you have to repay every month.
Before applying for affordable title loans (Salem), make sure that you can responsibly track down your expenses and prioritize the title loan payment.
Most lenders will issue a late payment fee for every payment exceeding the agreed due date, so make sure that you allot for your loan repayment every month.
If you think that your budget will not fit the bill, we encourage you to look for side hustles and other jobs that you can take part-time.
The lenders will see your dedication and willingness to pay the title loan on time, and believe us, the best title loans lenders will help you repay the loan.
Four-Step Process: A Detailed Guide
In this part, we will now explain the whole process of successfully getting a title loan grant. We will give all the details, so make sure you read everything thoroughly.
Ready to know how to have your car title loans grant? Let’s dive right in!
Step #1: Apply Online
Well, it’s not called online title loans for no reason. Kidding aside, the first step is to go to the website of your chosen title loan company and click the application form.
But before that, we recommend that you prepare all the documents you may need beforehand.
This will make your application seamless and help you reference the necessary information without hassle.
As we promised, if you consider our advice to you, you will be able to finish and submit the application form within 10-15 minutes.
You won’t have to go to Salem title loans locations to proceed with your application, as you can do the next step online, too!
Step #2: Submit Required Documents
Of course, you won’t necessarily have instant approval for applying for car title loans. The lenders will also verify the information you have submitted in the first step.
In this stage, the lenders will ask you to provide them with four documents such as your personal information, vehicle information, financial information, and references.
Let’s discuss this one by one.
Personal Information
Lenders will have to double-check the information you have submitted to them in the application form.
Here are the following documents that lenders usually ask when it comes to the applicant’s info:
- Birth certificate. This is the primary document for your info.
- Government-issued ID. This can be your passport, driver’s license, social security ID, or any other ID issued by your state or the federal government. Your ID also shows your age, as only 18 years and above applicants are accepted.
- Proof of residence. Only residents of Salem, Virginia, are eligible to apply for car title loans in Salem. This can be in a lease contract, recently paid utility bills, etc.
Vehicle Information
With your personal information backed up with documents like your driver’s license, the next thing to prepare is the information about your car!
The car’s information is the most important requirement of car title loans. There are certain criteria that your car title must meet to qualify.
The car title must be original and lien-free. This means that your car title must have your name (as the vehicle owner), and there must be no outstanding judgments on the car.
Other than the car title, the following are also asked by the lenders:
- Vehicle Identification Number. This is the car’s fingerprint, which means your car has a unique VIN.
- Odometer. Your title loan lender will also ask you to picture the odometer as this will show the car’s mileage.
- Vehicle insurance papers. It is also a requirement in auto title loans that the car must be insured. The lenders would like to be assured that while you are driving your car, the insurance company will cover all the costs and expenses in case of an accident.
- Pictures of your car. Your lender will check the condition of the car. That’s why you need to take photos of all four sides of the car, exterior and the interior.
Financial Information
Remember in the previous sections that the credit check will not automatically disqualify you from an auto title loan? This is why.
Aside from checking the credit history, title loan lenders also ask to rely on your proof of income, which shows your ability to repay the loan.
Your proof of income can be any of the following documents:
- Payslips if an organization/company employs you
- Bank statements if you are receiving some form of financial aid from the government (show the respective ID as your government-issued ID) or you are receiving an allowance from relatives
- Financial statements if you are a sole owner of a small business or are an entrepreneur
If you are both employed and have a small business, bring both documents as the lenders will also qualify your income into the auto title loan amount.
References
Even when you provide proof of everything they have asked for, some lenders will still look into something to qualify you for the loan.
They will ask one or two references to ask how you managed your money around previous loans.
Don’t worry, as all questions will help the lender directly qualify your interest rates and other loan terms and conditions.
Step #3: Sign the Loan Agreement
Unlike traditional loans, in car title loans (Salem), you are allowed to negotiate the terms and conditions of the car title loan before signing the loan agreement.
To give you an idea, here are some topics that you can raise when you are discussing with your lenders:
- Market interest rates
- The interest rate of your loan
- Loan amount/loan value
- The equity value of your vehicle
- If you need to disclose your bank account details
We advise you to read the loan agreement line by line, as some try to add hidden fees into the equation. But, don’t worry, Salem remains honest with most lenders of easy title loans.
Once you have asked about the market interest rates and how they could come up with your interest rate and it is agreeable with you, you can sign the loan agreement.
Don’t forget to raise any questions or concerns that you have! This is your chance to appeal to your auto title loan lenders. Don’t let it pass by!
Lastly, ask for your copy of the loan agreement and that your lender also signs your copy.
Step #4: Get Your Money!
And at last, we have reached the final step of the title loan application, and it’s time to reap what we had worked for.
Salem title loan lenders will ask about your preferred method of getting your cash. An auto title loan lender may most likely offer to transfer the money to your bank account.
But, if you need the money right now, you can ask your lender to give it to you in cash.
A lender can send the money through other methods: MoneyGram, Western Union, and other accredited financial institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you still got some clarifications and doubts about Salem car title loans, this section will clarify them!
Ready to know more knowledge about a car title loan? Continue reading!
How Much Money Will I Get?
Since the collateral you will give to your lender is the car title, it’s easy to be confused about how much money you’ll get.
Your car’s equity value will determine the cash you will get. But the question is, “How am I supposed to know my car’s equity value?”
If you want to get a loan estimate, you can always ask the car title loan representatives and lender to give you one. But if it’s a weekend and you want to know, we can give you an idea.
The value of your vehicle is based on the following:
- Vehicle Model
- Year the vehicle was manufactured
- Vehicle Make
- Mileage
- Vehicle accessories
Some lenders offer a lower interest rate or a longer loan duration if your vehicle is relatively new and has a low mileage level.
Moreover, accessories such as your vehicle having leather seats, a sunroof, or other physical improvements increase the possible amount of money you will get from your loan.
On the other hand, some factors can decrease the value of your vehicle. This may be high mileage, or the car is manufactured before 2000, depending on the judgment of your lender.
What Are the Usual Interest Rates?
A lender of a Salem car title loan is usually based on the market interest rates present.
Moreover, the lender will also consider other factors, such as the ability of the borrower to pay the loan, and may also conduct a credit check to study the paying habits of the person.
Whatever the rate is, be sure that it is a product of the factors the lenders consider when it is a title loan in Salem.
Ensure that you pay your car loans in time!
Is There a Risk of Repossession?
Like any other types of loan, auto title loans also carry a risk of repossession. But, the Code of Virginia has a strict list of requirements that have to be fulfilled first.
Don’t worry. Repossession only happens when the borrower defaults and admits that they do not have enough funds to pay the loan, which is the main role of the lender.
We encourage you to pay on time!
Is My Information Safe With You?
Absolutely! All the information you submit to Salem’s online title loans is safe and secure.
Rest assured that the information you entrust to us will not be mishandled or used outside the way you consented.
Data privacy is something that auto title loans Salem takes seriously, and we will repay your trust with security and safety.
Not to mention that the loan agreement of your auto title loan should contain a confidentiality clause, which means that all of the data that you’ll submit will be handled correctly.
How Long Do I Have to Wait for My Money?
Salem title loans promise an efficient and fast process that enables borrowers to receive their cash on the same business day.
However, remember that Salem’s officers and agents of title loans work during office hours.
If you submit your application during the weekends or outside office hours, please understand that it will be processed on the next business day.
If you want to receive your money fast, make sure to apply early on a business day or even early in the week.
Are Auto Title Loans the Same as Payday Loans?
Nope! They may seem like they are the same, but they are two different types of loans.
American title loans need a car title that takes its value from the vehicle valuation, while payday loans need a postdated check with the same amount you will get on your payday.
Payday loans can be likened to a “cash advance,” while auto title loans are about exchanging your car title for a loan that you can pay later.
Although both auto title loans and payday ones are types of short-term loans, their mechanics are different.
The loans during your payday may also have a higher interest rate and a higher risk of you having to deal with inflexible loan terms.
Apply for Salem Title Loans Now!
A car title loan might just be what you are looking for to turn things around. Car title loans in Salem have helped many people already, and the next person might just be you.
Never forget that despite the fast cash, you need to fulfill your end of the obligation and pay the car loan in time, or there will be consequences.
What are you waiting for? Apply for a car title loan in Salem now!
Good luck!