5 Tips to Save Time When Getting Your Car Loan

Most people don't have very much time to spend getting a car loan. If you don't have much time to get the loan that you need to buy your new vehicle, there are several things you can do that will help you get your car loan fast.

It doesn't matter whether you have good or bad credit. Everyone can benefit from these time-saving tips:

1) Get your paperwork together. To prove your income, you'll need your most recent paystub. To prove your residence, you'll need your most recent phone, electric, or cable bill. Finally, if you have any credit problems like collections, bankruptcy, or leftovers from a messy divorce, get that paperwork together too. Put everything in an envelope and bring it with you when you go to see your lender - that way you'll only have to make one trip.

2) Most loan applications ask for three or more personal references, friends or relatives that do not live with you. Don't be one of those people who scrambles around looking for the name, addresses, and phone numbers of their personal references while they are filling out their application. Write down their information beforehand, and you will save a lot of time when you complete your loan application.

3) Talk to your boss, office manager, or human resources department. When you apply for an auto loan, most lenders will call and verify your employment. Let the person in charge of employment verification know that you're expecting an auto lender to call about you - that way they'll be ready to provide what the bank needs quickly and accurately.

4) If you have a trade-in, you should find out the exact payoff amount rather than estimate it. Many people estimate their payoff, which either costs them more money or wastes more time. When you estimate your payoff, the lender may calculate your interest rate as if it were the actual payoff. If the exact payoff amount is lower than your estimate, your interest rate will be higher than it could have been. If your lender approves you for a loan amount that is based on your estimated payoff, you will have to be re-approved if the actual payoff is significantly higher. Finding out the exact payoff amount before you apply for a new loan could save you time or money.

5) Make sure you're as truthful and accurate as possible. When you complete your credit application, you may need to list former residences, former employers, etc. If you accurately list all this information, your application will be processed quickly. Also, if you lie about some aspect of your credit, there's a good chance the auto lender will find out. At best, this will slow down your application considerably as the lender checks every aspect of your credit. At worst, your application will be turned-down.

Next time you apply for a car, follow these five tips for fast and efficient car loan processing.