Should You Opt for a Longer Home Loan Tenure or a Shorter One?

Introduction

One of the most essential choices you'll make when starting the homeownership journey is deciding on the length of your house loan. Choosing between a longer and shorter tenure might be difficult for many people. Selecting a shorter term can result in larger monthly installments, which could strain your finances while choosing a longer tenure could result in paying excessive interest over time.

It requires careful assessment of your financial health, risk tolerance, and financial goals. You can also use a home loan interest calculator to calculate your interest rate for the tenure. In this step-by-step guide, we will unfold everything about home loan eligibility, and the maximum tenure for home loans in India. We will examine whether a longer or shorter home loan is better.

Who can opt for a Home Loan?

Home loans are generally accessible to those who fulfil the specific qualifying requirements:

• Age: When applying for a loan, borrowers must be at least 21 years old and can repay their loans by 60 to 65 years of age, though this can vary based on the lender's rules.
• Income: Generally speaking, home loans are available to salaried people, independent contractors, and company owners with a steady and consistent source of income.
• Creditworthiness: To get approved for a home loan, you must have a high credit score. A higher credit score may result in better interest rates and increased chances of loan acceptance.
• Down payment: In most cases, borrowers must make a down payment towards the cost of the property, which generally ranges between 10 to 20 percent of the property value.
• Documents: To apply for a house loan, borrowers must submit the required paperwork, which includes proof of identity, proof of address, proof of income (pay stubs, bank records, etc.), and documentation about the property (title deed, agreement of sale, etc.).

Benefits of a Longer Home Loan Term

• Lower Monthly EMI: Reducing your monthly equivalent monthly installment (EMI) is one of the main benefits of choosing a more extended loan period. A more extended payback period makes the monthly outflow easier and provides financial freedom. This is especially advantageous for people whose income varies or who would instead put more money toward other assets or expenses.
• Better Cash Flow: A longer tenure lowers the interest rate, which helps to enhance the monthly cash flow. This extra cash might be used for investing, emergency savings, or achieving other financial objectives. It serves as a safety net for unforeseen costs or unstable economic conditions.
• Tax Benefits: Repaying a home loan has tax benefits, which are increased with a longer term. A longer tenure results in a higher initial interest component, which increases the tax benefits.

Benefits of a Shorter Home Loan Term

• Interest Savings: The significant interest savings throughout the loan may be the most robust justification for selecting a shorter home loan tenure. The interest expense has significantly decreased, even though the monthly EMI may be more significant.
• Faster Debt Payback: Selecting a shorter term shortens the payback period and helps you pay off debt sooner. Not only does this provide you peace of mind, but it also frees up cash for other investments or life objectives. Additionally, a shorter term provides a sense of financial certainty by lessening the impact of interest rate swings.
• Faster Homeownership: You will become your home owner sooner if your tenure is shorter. This might be very alluring for those who see their house as a long-term investment or as a place for their family to live.

Longer Home Loan Tenure or a Shorter One - Which one is best?

• Financial Stability and Health: Selecting a suitable home loan tenure requires evaluating your present financial situation. A shorter term could be wise if you have a solid financial plan in place and expect a steady income. However, a longer tenure can be more appropriate if you value flexibility or anticipate income swings.
• Risk Tolerance: A longer term can be more comfortable for you if you are risk-averse and value the stability of lower EMIs. On the other hand, a shorter tenure can be more appropriate for your risk if you can afford larger monthly payments and want to reduce interest expenses.
• Future Financial Objectives: Assess how your selected house loan tenure fits your long-term financial objectives. A longer tenure might give you the required financial freedom if you have other significant financial obligations coming up, including retirement planning or schooling costs. A shorter term, however, would be the best option if your objective is to become a homeowner and attain financial independence as soon as possible.

Winding Up

There is only one universal solution when choosing between a longer or shorter home loan tenure. You can seek the guidance of a financial advisor, who can be your compass on the road to a safe future.

Ultimately, making an educated choice that complements your financial plan and advances your goal of becoming a homeowner is critical. For more information, head over to the IIFL Home Loan for additional details regarding financing options for reasonably priced homes and house loans!

FAQs

Q1. How to reduce home loans?

Ans. You can successfully lower the principal amount of your loan and, in turn, the total interest rate by making regular prepayments. It is noteworthy, however, that certain lenders do impose a nominal percentage on early repayment of fixed-rate loans.

Q2. Should you opt for a short-term or long-term loan?

Ans. In terms of borrowing money, obtaining and applying for a long-term loan could take longer and involve more paperwork. However, it might be more practical to think about a short-term loan if you simply need a smaller amount. A longer repayment period gives you the chance to prove that you are a responsible borrower by building a track record of on-time payments. In the end, this can enhance your credit profile and improve your financial situation.

Q3. Are loans with longer terms riskier?

Ans. Lenders face a higher risk when it comes to most long-term loan types than short-term loan types. This is due to the fact that even well-established businesses may run into financial difficulties throughout the payback period.

Q4. Can we shorten the term of a house loan?

Ans. There are two ways you can reduce the length of your loan while continuing to work with your current lender. You can either contact your lender to renegotiate the conditions of your loan or you can choose to prepay a portion of your house loan.

Q5. What is the longest possible loan term for a house?

Ans. Home loans have a maximum term of 30 years. Since a longer period gives you more time to repay the loan, interest rates are frequently lower.