Banks That Will Refinance Upside Down Car Loans and Get You Back on Track

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If you're struggling to make your car loan payments, you're not alone. Some banks will refinance upside down car loans, helping you get back on track.

Bank of America offers loan modifications that can reduce your monthly payments, even if you owe more on your car than it's worth. This can be a huge relief for those struggling to make ends meet.

Not all banks are created equal, and some are more willing to work with you than others. For example, Wells Fargo has a program that allows you to refinance your upside down car loan with a lower interest rate or a longer repayment term.

What is Upside Down Car Loan?

An upside-down car loan is a situation where the amount you owe on your car loan is greater than the car's current market value. This can happen when you pay too much for a car or when the car depreciates quickly.

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You can end up upside down on a car loan if you don't do your research on the cost of similar models. For example, if you buy a car with a sticker price of $30,000 and similar models are selling for $27,500, you're already upside down on your new car.

Cars depreciate rapidly, losing 20% of their value immediately and 50% of their value by the third year. This means that if you put less money down, you'll be more upside down on your loan.

Long-term loans with terms of 72 or 84 months can make it difficult to keep pace with depreciation, leaving you still paying for a car that's five or more years old.

Roll-over loans, which allow you to roll over negative equity on your old car into your new car loan, can also put you further into debt. This means you're paying more than what the new car is worth from the start.

Here are some common reasons why people end up with upside-down car loans:

  • Buying a car with a high sticker price compared to similar models
  • Not putting enough money down
  • Choosing long-term loan terms
  • Rolling over negative equity on your old car into your new car loan
  • Adding unnecessary options to the car
  • Buying a car that's too expensive
  • Accepting high-interest loans

Calculate Negative Equity

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To calculate negative equity, you'll need to know your car's value and the remaining balance on your loan. You can use reputable online sites like Edmunds or Kelley Blue Book to determine your car's value.

The value of your car is determined by factors like model, year, condition, and mileage. Be honest about your car's condition, as this will affect its value.

To find out what you owe, check your loan account online or call your lender. The pay-off figure changes daily due to interest accumulation.

For example, if you owe $17,000 and your car's value is $11,000, you have negative equity of $6,000. This means that if you sold the car for $11,000, you'd still owe $6,000 on the loan.

It's essential to calculate your negative equity accurately, as it will help you understand your financial situation and make informed decisions about your loan.

Refinancing Options

Refinancing an upside-down car loan can be a bit tricky, but it's not impossible. Some lenders may consider refinancing if interest rates are lower than what you originally paid. You can use an auto loan calculator to see if you can afford the new loan and determine how much you could save.

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Large lenders usually aren't interested in refinancing upside-down loans, but community banks or credit unions might be willing to consider it. If you're unable to get approved for a refinance loan, you can also try transferring the balance of your car loan to a credit card with a 0% introductory offer.

There are five options to consider when you're stuck with an upside-down car loan, and refinancing is one of them. However, it's essential to be aware of the lender's requirements, including limits on the loan-to-value ratio (LTV). For example, some lenders may allow LTVs of up to 125%, depending on your credit and income.

You can also explore other options, such as taking out a personal loan or borrowing against your home's available equity with a HELOC. These options can help you pay off your vehicle's note and potentially refinance the debt into a lower-rate loan.

Here are some options to consider:

  • Refinance your loan with a new lender
  • Transfer the balance to a credit card with a 0% introductory offer
  • Take out a personal loan
  • Borrow against your home's available equity with a HELOC
  • Sell or trade in your vehicle, rolling the negative equity into your next auto loan

Alternatives and Next Steps

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If you're stuck with an upside-down car loan, there are alternatives to consider. The decision to act on a negative equity position is really predicated on the urgency of the need.

You're probably not going to convince someone to buy your car from you for more than it's worth. The strategy is different if you have time, and there are steps you can take to get yourself in a better financial situation.

What is an Auto?

An auto is a vehicle that loses value quickly, with a 9% to 11% drop in value the moment you drive it off the lot.

You might already owe more than the vehicle is worth, especially if you put down a small down payment on a car worth $25,000.

A car's value can drop to 20% of its original price after just one year, making it challenging to get enough money to cover what you owe when you sell.

Dealer Not Your Friend

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The dealer is not your friend, and it's essential to remember this when dealing with a car loan. Chances are, they'll roll the negative equity into a new loan and leave you in a worse financial situation.

You should avoid throwing yourself on the dealer's mercy and instead take control of the situation yourself. This means doing what's right for you now and in the long run.

If you're considering trading in a car with negative equity, don't end up with even more negative equity with the new loan. Rolling the negative equity into the loan can mean you'll owe more than the new car is worth before you even sit in the driver's seat.

For instance, if you still owe $7,000 on a car that's worth $5,000, the dealer will credit you $5,000 for the trade-in and add the remaining $2,000 to the new loan. This means you'll start off owing $22,000 on a $20,000 car.

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Eliminating the negative equity before the trade-in is crucial. You can pay it off with a personal loan, money from a home equity loan, or some other source that has a lower interest rate than the car loan.

If you can't afford to eliminate the negative equity, consider keeping the car rather than getting another one. This might seem like a difficult decision, but it's better than ending up with even more debt.

5 Options When Stuck

If you're stuck with an upside-down car loan, don't worry, there are options available. You can refinance your loan, but not all lenders allow for negative equity refinancing. Some auto lenders will allow loan-to-value (LTV) ratios of up to 125%, but this depends on your credit, income, and the vehicle's age, mileage, and model.

You can also take out a personal loan and use the proceeds to pay off your auto loan balance, or borrow against your home's available equity with a home equity line of credit (HELOC). These options can help you pay off your vehicle's note and potentially "refinance" the debt into a lower-rate loan.

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However, selling or trading in your vehicle and rolling the negative equity into your next auto loan often compounds the situation and makes it harder to get out of debt. So, what are your next steps? Here are five options to consider:

  • Refinance your loan with a lender that allows negative equity refinancing
  • Take out a personal loan to pay off your auto loan balance
  • Borrow against your home's available equity with a HELOC
  • Sell or trade in your vehicle, but be aware of the risks
  • Consider keeping your car and finding ways to cut monthly expenses so you can afford the payments and pay more toward the principal, increasing your equity until you can make a better deal on a new car.

Get Back on Track

If you're struggling to make ends meet and your car loan is upside down, don't worry, you're not alone. Making extra payments can help you get back on track by paying down the loan faster and reducing the interest you owe.

To make extra payments, you should direct them towards your principal, not just the interest. This will ensure you're making progress on paying off the loan.

Refinancing your car with a shorter loan term can also help you get back on track, but be aware that it means a higher monthly payment. Use an auto loan refinance calculator to see what makes sense for you.

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If you continue making on-time payments, you should eventually catch up with the car's value and begin building equity. However, this takes time and patience.

Here are some options to consider:

  • Make extra payments towards your principal.
  • Refinance with a shorter loan term.
  • “Drive through” the loan by continuing to make on-time payments.
  • Bury the negative equity in a lease.

Remember, keeping your payments up to date is crucial, even if you're upside down on your loan. This will help you build equity and protect your credit score.

Refinancing Process

Refinancing an upside-down car loan can be a viable option if interest rates have dropped since you took out the original loan. Large lenders usually aren't interested in refinancing upside-down loans.

You can consider refinancing with a community bank or credit union, which may be willing to take on the risk. Community banks and credit unions often have more flexibility in their lending policies.

To refinance an upside-down car loan, you'll need to find a lender that's willing to take on the loan. A credit union or peer-to-peer lender may be a good option.

You can also try transferring the balance of your car loan to a credit card with a 0% introductory offer. This can give you some breathing room while you refinance the remaining balance.

Teri Little

Writer

Teri Little is a seasoned writer with a passion for delivering insightful and engaging content to readers worldwide. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Teri has established herself as a trusted voice in the realm of financial markets news. Her articles have been featured in various publications, offering readers a unique perspective on market trends, economic analysis, and industry insights.

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