Have you ever searched the internet for personal loans? If you have, you were likely routed to thousands of service providers all offering several different products. It would seem simple enough that if the search engine routed you to these companies than choosing whichever one catches your eye first, would be reasonable. The truth, however, is that not all loan products or service providers are created equally.

When borrowing funds from a lender, you’re signing a contract that states you promise to repay the funds owed to them. Within that contract are also interest rates, associated fees, terms, and additional information that may vary from one company to another. To ensure that you’re signing the best loan agreement, it is recommended that you ask the following:

Are They a Reputable and Legitimate Company?

The first thing you should check with a lender is their legal ability to provide you with a loan in your state and their reputation as a service provider. You can check with your state regulator or attorney general’s office to determine if they’re licensed in your state. As for reputation, you can check sites like the Better Business Bureau for online complaints or reputable online review sites to see what other customers have to say.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

Typically, when you want to borrow money you don’t want to have to go through a bunch of steps to get it. Therefore, you’ll want to see what is required of you to obtain a loan from a lender. While a bank would require you to have collateral and a good credit rating, an installment loan provider may only require you to be 18 years old, have a good standing checking account, and verifiable income. If you were dealing with bad credit or didn’t have collateral you’d want to find a quick cash loan to apply for.

What Are the Interest Rates?

Interest, is essentially how lenders make a profit from lending you money. Although you won’t likely find a loan that doesn’t want anything back, the lower the interest rate is, the more money you save on out of pocket costs.

Are There Associated Fees?

Outside of the interest you also want to look at other associated fees with your personal loan. There are some companies that charge late fees, early repayment fees, and a processing fee for every transaction. Look for the lender that offers the fewest associated fees.

What Are the Repayment Options?

Though it’s great that you’ve been approved for a loan, before you sign on the dotted line, you want to see what your options are for repayment. If you can’t afford the amount or the frequency in which it must be repaid, this could cause issues down the line. Look for a lender that offers flexible repayment options that coordinate with your pay schedule and can fit into your budget.

Remember, there are a lot of companies out there offering to give you several hundred or thousand dollars – despite your credit rating or assets. Be that as it may, not all offers are the best for you. As you search for a personal loan, remember to ask the above-mentioned questions to select the best one for your circumstances.