Securing a home loan can be challenging as lenders assess various factors to determine your eligibility for a home loan, including your income, credit history, and existing debts.
However, there are several tricks you can employ to increase your home loan eligibility and improve your chances of approval.
In this article, we’ll explore six effective strategies to boost your home loan eligibility and shed light on how lenders calculate it.
Tricks to Increase Your Home Loan Eligibility
Home loan eligibility refers to the criteria set by lenders to assess an individual’s suitability for a home loan. It takes into account factors such as income stability, creditworthiness, existing financial obligations, and the value of the property being financed.
Meeting the eligibility criteria is essential for securing a home loan at favourable terms and interest rates. Here are some ways to increase your home loan eligibility:
1. Improve Your Credit Score
Your credit score plays a significant role in determining your home loan eligibility. A higher credit score indicates lower credit risk to lenders, making you a more attractive borrower.
To boost your credit score, ensure timely repayment of existing loans and credit card bills, avoid defaults or late payments, and maintain a healthy credit utilisation ratio.
Checking your CIBIL score for home loan eligibility online can help you understand where you stand and take steps to improve it if necessary.
2. Reduce Existing Debts
Lenders consider your debt-to-income ratio when assessing your home loan eligibility. Lowering your existing debts, such as outstanding loans or credit card balances, can improve this ratio and increase your eligibility for a home loan.
Consider consolidating high-interest debts, paying off smaller loans, or negotiating repayment plans with creditors to reduce your overall debt burden.
3. Increase Your Income
A higher income level translates to greater repayment capacity, making you a more favourable candidate for a home loan. Explore opportunities to increase your income, such as seeking a higher-paying job, taking on freelance projects, or pursuing additional qualifications or certifications.
Providing evidence of a stable and sufficient income stream can strengthen your home loan application and enhance your eligibility.
4. Opt for a Longer Loan Tenure
Extending the loan tenure can reduce the monthly EMI burden and improve your home loan eligibility. While opting for a longer tenure increases the overall interest cost, it enhances affordability by spreading out the repayment over a more extended period.
However, carefully consider the implications of a longer tenure on your overall financial planning and assess whether it aligns with your long-term goals.
5. Add a Co-Applicant
Adding a co-applicant with a stable income and good credit history can significantly boost your home loan eligibility. Lenders consider the combined income and creditworthiness of all co-applicants when assessing the loan application, increasing the chances of approval.
Choose a co-applicant wisely to ensure mutual trust and financial compatibility, as both parties will be equally responsible for loan repayment.
6. Opt for a Lower Loan-to-Value Ratio
The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio represents the proportion of the property’s value financed through the home loan. A lower LTV ratio indicates lower risk for the lender and may lead to higher eligibility for the borrower.
Consider making a higher down payment to reduce the loan amount and lower the LTV ratio. Additionally, choosing a property with a lower market value or negotiating a lower purchase price can further decrease the LTV ratio and increase your home loan eligibility.
How Home Loan Eligibility is Calculated?
Home loan eligibility is typically calculated based on various factors, including:
- Income stability and level
- Credit score and credit history
- Existing debts and financial obligations
- Loan tenure and repayment capacity
- Value of the property being financed
- Co-applicant’s income and creditworthiness (if applicable)
Lenders use these factors to assess the borrower’s repayment capacity and risk profile, determining the maximum loan amount and interest rate offered.
Final Thoughts
Increasing your home loan eligibility requires a strategic approach and careful consideration of various factors. By improving your credit score, reducing existing debts, increasing your income, opting for a longer loan tenure, adding a co-applicant, and opting for a lower loan-to-value ratio, you can enhance your chances of securing a home loan at favourable terms.
Remember to check home loan eligibility online regularly and take proactive steps to improve cibil score for home loan if necessary. With the right strategies and financial discipline, you can turn your homeownership dreams into reality.