A secured loan is any loan that is secured on your home or property. Secured loans are more easily accessible to those with a poor credit record. This means that persons who are self-employed, or who have recently changed jobs, or who have adverse credit (ccjs, arrears, defaults, etc.) can take out a secured loan.

If you're a homeowner, you may get a lower rate through a secured loan using your property as security. If you borrow money using a mortgage as security you are agreeing that the lender can claim the mortgaged property if you fail to keep to the agreement. The risk to the lender is reduced so the interest rate offered is lower. This is why secured loans tend to be cheaper than unsecured loans and other forms of borrowing. The lender has the added benefit of security, which provides protection in the event of your inability to repay.

You can borrow larger amounts and repay over a longer period. The amount available usually ranges from ?3,000 to ?50,000, although some lenders will consider lending more. If you wish to borrow a larger amount or if you require a longer period in which to repay the loan, secured loans may be the most suitable for you.

You can consolidate more expensive borrowings into a single much cheaper monthly payment. You may choose to take out a secured loan in order to consolidate debts and replace high-interest loans with a low-rate loan. The loans being consolidated may include higher purchase loans, unsecured loans and credit cards.

Before you take out a secured loan, make sure that you can afford the monthly repayments. Also, read the loan agreement carefully and pay particular attention to the rate of interest required, the term of the loan, the repayments required and the total amount payable. If you fail to repay the loan, the lender may repossess your property or home and sell it to repay the loan. Your home is at risk if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other loan secured on it.

? Copyright 2005, Bwalya Mwaba writes for the Secured Personal Loans website . To apply for a secured personal loan online, just fill out a simple form at: http://www.secured-personal-loan.org.uk/

This article may be reprinted as long as all the above links are active and clickable and the author box (by-line) is not edited.