Get a $70,000 loan

How to get a $70,000 loan

It’s important to be prepared before you apply for a loan. Follow these six steps to apply for your loan.

1. Determine your budget. Take a close look at your budget to figure out how much you can afford each month to repay your loan.
2. Identify lenders. Some personal loan lenders don’t offer $70,000 loans, so you’ll need to identify ones that do.
3. Compare lenders. Once you identify lenders that handle $70K loans, take a deeper look into specifics such as interest rates, loan terms and the requirements needed to qualify.
4. Get prequalified. Most lenders do a soft credit check to give you an idea of the rate and loan terms you can expect. There is no commitment and no impact on your credit score to do this.
5. Gather your documents. Once you’ve decided where to apply, find out what paperwork you must provide. Having all the necessary documentation on hand will ensure the fastest loan approval.
6. Apply for the loan. Now that you’ve picked a lender, fill out the loan application and submit the required documentation. You can probably handle all the details online, but you may also apply in person or over the phone.

Eligibility requirements for a $70K loan

To qualify for a $70,000 personal loan, you’ll likely need a good credit score, sufficient income and a low debt-to-income ratio (DTI).

• Credit score. Many lenders that offer $70,000 loans require a good credit score (typically 670 and above). However, some lenders, such as Credible, will work with borrowers with lower credit scores if you meet other criteria.
• Low DTI. Most lenders want to see a DTI of around 43% or lower. But you’ll improve your approval odds (and get a better rate) if your DTI is 35% or less.
• Income requirements. Some lenders have minimum income requirements for $70K loans, but the threshold may vary depending on your credit history, DTI and other factors.
• Proof of income. Depending on your source of income, be prepared to produce W-2s, paystubs, bank statements, 1099s or tax returns to verify your income.

How to increase your chances of approval

Boosting your credit score is a great strategy to increase your odds of qualifying for a $70K loan. You can start by getting a free copy of your credit report. If you find any errors, you can dispute the mistakes and have them removed from your report. This is one of the fastest ways to raise your score.

It’s also a good idea to pay down as much of your existing debt as possible before you apply. This lowers your debt-to-income ratio, which is something lenders love to see. Finally, this is not the time to take on any new debts or make big purchases on your credit cards.

Can I get a $70,000 personal loan with bad credit?

It can be tough to qualify for a loan of this size if you have bad credit, but it might depend on the specific nature of your credit. For example, if your credit score is low because you’ve had a history of late payments or have previously defaulted on a loan, your chances of loan approval are low.

On the other hand, if you have a low score simply because your credit is thin — meaning you haven’t had a lot of credit accounts yet — you might be in better shape. For instance, if you have a low DTI and a high income, those factors may offset a lower score.

If you think your credit history eliminates your chances of loan approval, you might consider getting a secured loan instead. You could also look into personal loans that allow a cosigner and ask a friend or family member with great credit to cosign a loan.

How much does a $70,000 loan cost?

Along with the principal, you’ll have to pay interest on your loan, which typically runs from 6% to 36%. If you have good credit, a low DTI and sufficient income, you may qualify for a rate on the lower end of the spectrum.

Your lender may also charge an origination fee, also called a processing or administrative fee, that could be up to 10% of the loan. Not all lenders charge an origination fee, but if they do, they’ll typically deduct the fee from the loan proceeds and deposit the balance into your checking account.

Other fees that can add to the loan’s cost are prepayment penalties and late payment charges or fees for insufficient funds if your account falls short.

Calculate your $70,000 loan payment

Use our loan calculator to compare monthly payments based on different interest rates and loan terms.

5 tips to get a better rate

Here are some ideas to get a better interest rate.

1. Ask for a shorter term. Shorter loan terms typically come with lower interest rates, but keep in mind your monthly payments will be bigger.
2. Raise your credit score. Borrowers with better credit scores tend to qualify for lower interest rates.
3. Consider a secured loan. Loans secured with collateral usually come with lower rates than unsecured loans.
4. Compare lenders. Prequalify with multiple lenders to find the best interest rates and loan terms.
5. Get a cosigner. A cosigner with good credit can get you a better rate.

How to pay off a $70K personal loan

When you take out a loan of this size, it makes sense to try to reduce your interest charges and shorten the loan term.

• Pay more than the minimum. If you pay more than the minimum monthly payment whenever you can, you’ll save on interest charges and shorten the loan term.
• Split payments. Split your payments into weekly or biweekly chunks, and you’ll pay less interest without shelling out extra cash.
• Refinance. If interest rates drop during your loan term, try refinancing at a lower rate. Just be aware of any fees that could make the switch less economical.

Alternatives to $70,000 personal loans

When you need to borrow a large sum, exploring other options is always smart.

• Leverage your home’s equity. Homeowners with sufficient equity may qualify to borrow $70,000 using their house as collateral. Choose from a one-time lump sum payment with a home equity loan or opt for a home equity line of credit (HELOC).
• Borrow from retirement. You can only borrow a maximum of $50,000 from your retirement account, but this could help you bridge the gap between other lending options.
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending. Borrowers with difficulty qualifying for a personal loan may want to consider P2P lending platforms.
• Business loans. Were you planning to use your $70K loan proceeds to invest in your business? Consider some business loan options instead. Some borrowers may even be able to qualify for SBA loans backed by the Small Business Administration.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Megan B. Shepherd as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Lacey Stark

Writer

Lacey Stark is a freelance personal finance writer for Finder, specializing in banking, loans, investing, estate planning, and more. She has 20 years of experience writing and editing for magazines, newspapers, and online publications. A word nerd from childhood, Lacey officially got her start reporting on live sporting events and moved on to cover topics such as construction, technology, and travel before finding her niche in personal finance. Originally from New England, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and completed a postgraduate journalism program at Metropolitan State University also in Denver. She currently lives in Chicagoland with her dog Chunk and likes to read and play golf. See full bio