April 27, 2022
The Top Pros and Cons of a Secured Line of Credit
A secured line of credit, or any “secured” loan, is tied to a property or asset. For example, one common secured line of credit is a house or other type of real estate mortgage. If the borrower defaults on their mortgage, the lender would be able to repossess the property.
Although a secured line of credit has many benefits, there are also some considerable drawbacks. In this post, we’ll examine the pros and cons of secured lines of credit, so you can determine if this option is right for you.
Secured Line of Credit Definition
A secured business line of credit is a type of financing available to small business owners. When you secure a credit line, you offer equipment, real estate, or other expensive items as collateral. If you can’t make your monthly payments, the financial institution that you received the credit line from will seize the collateral as payment.What Are the Pros of a Secured Line of Credit?
1. Secured Lines of Credit Usually Have Lower Interest Rates
Perhaps the most important benefit of secured loans is that they typically have low-interest rates. Lenders calculate risks when setting interest rates; the higher the risks, the higher the interest rate. Because a secured line of credit is backed by an asset, the lender will take on less risk. If you default on your line of credit, the lender will sell the repossessed asset to cover their losses. Due to lower risks, lenders can offer more affordable interest rates.2. Lower Credit Scores Are Accepted
Unfortunately, many business owners with poor credit face challenges when applying for financing. Luckily, there are lower risks associated with secured lines of credit, so lenders will probably be less concerned with your credit score. One of the main reasons lenders pay so much attention to your credit history is because it indicates your likeliness to repay a loan. With a secured loan, your collateral lowers risks and increases the likelihood that you’ll make your payments. Since you won’t want to lose the asset tied to your secured line of credit, you’ll likely do your best to repay the loan. However, your credit scores will still impact your loan terms. Lower credit scores indicate a higher risk to lenders, so you could have to pay higher interest rates. Regardless, interest rates for secured lines of credit will usually be lower than unsecured lines of credit, and you may qualify even if you have a poor credit history.3. You Could Receive Longer Loan Repayment Terms
Lower risk not only reduces interest rates – lenders may also offer longer loan repayment terms. Again, this is because of the collateral you can contribute to secure the line of credit. In some cases, lenders will offer repayment periods of up to ten years. Because business property is often used to back secured loans, lenders can rely on rising property prices to increase the collateral’s value over time.