u can also usually set a time period for paying only interest, with the loan reverting to a standard loan at the end of that period. If you think you might want to convert your loan across earlier, then check the fine print to make sure there's no hefty fees involved, or else make the interest-only period shorter.

Finally, it's important to shop around. Don't just assume that your usual bank can give you the best deal - they probably can'

If you've ever bought a home, then you know the little thrill of excitement you get when you sign the contract. At that point, however, most of the work is still ahead of you - because you still need to get a loan.

The first step is always to look at your current income and expenses, and work out what you can afford. There are plenty of loan calculators available online that can take you through this process. If nothing else, getting all the necessary information together means that you have it ready when the time comes to talk to a lender.

One of the big questions your lender will ask you is - do you want an interest only loan? It's important that you spend some time thinking about the answer to this question, because it can make a big difference to your future. Basically an interest only loan works by the bank only asking that you pay the interest charges on your loan each month, rather than having to pay off some of the actual loan itself.

Probably the most obvious advantages of an interest-only loan is that your repayments will be lower. So if you're starting out and things are a little tight, this can be very helpful. However, you're not actually paying off the loan at all, so in a few years time you'll still owe just as much. This means that interest only loans aren't the best if you do want to pay off your mortgage at some stage. Still, it can be good for a short period, particularly if you know that your income is going to increase in the near future.

Check to see if the loan has a fixed interest rate or it's variable. A fixed rate means that it will stay the same for the life of the loan, whereas a variable rate can move either up or down. So if you really need your payments to remain the same, get the interest rate fixed. You can also usually set a time period for paying only interest, with the loan reverting to a standard loan at the end of that period. If you think you might want to convert your loan across earlier, then check the fine print to make sure there's no hefty fees involved, or else make the interest-only period shorter.

Finally, it's important to shop around. Don't just assume that your usual bank can give you the best deal - they probably can't

the necessary information together means that you have it ready when the time comes to talk to a lender.

One of the big questions your lender will ask you is - do you want an interest only loan? It's important that you spend some time thinking about the answer to this question, because it can make a big difference to your future. Basically an interest only loan works by the bank only asking that you pay the interest charges on your loan each month, rather than having to pay off some of the actual loan itself.

Probably the most obvious advantages of an interest-only loan is that your repayments will be lower. So if you're starting out and things are a little tight, this can be very helpful. However, you're not actually paying off the loan at all, so in a few years time you'll still owe just as much. This means that interest only loans aren't the best if you do want to pay off your mortgage at some stage. Still, it can be good for a short period, particularly if you know that your income is going to increase in the near future.

Check to see if the loan has a fixed interest rate or it's variable. A fixed rate means that it will stay the same for the life of the loan, whereas a variable rate can move either up or down. So if you really need your payments to remain the same, get the interest rate fixed. You can also usually set a time period for paying only interest, with the loan reverting to a standard loan at the end of that period. If you think you might want to convert your loan across earlier, then check the fine print to make sure there's no hefty fees involved, or else make the interest-only period shorter.

Finally, it's important to shop around. Don't just assume that your usual bank can give you the best deal - they probably can'

each month, rather than having to pay off some of the actual loan itself.

Probably the most obvious advantages of an interest-only loan is that your repayments will be lower. So if you're starting out and things are a little tight, this can be very helpful. However, you're not actually paying off the loan at all, so in a few years time you'll still owe just as much. This means that interest only loans aren't the best if you do want to pay off your mortgage at some stage. Still, it can be good for a short period, particularly if you know that your income is going to increase in the near future.

Check to see if the loan has a fixed interest rate or it's variable. A fixed rate means that it will stay the same for the life of the loan, whereas a variable rate can move either up or down. So if you really need your payments to remain the same, get the interest rate fixed. You can also usually set a time period for paying only interest, with the loan reverting to a standard loan at the end of that period. If you think you might want to convert your loan across earlier, then check the fine print to make sure there's no hefty fees involved, or else make the interest-only period shorter.

Finally, it's important to shop around. Don't just assume that your usual bank can give you the best deal - they probably can'

y off your mortgage at some stage. Still, it can be good for a short period, particularly if you know that your income is going to increase in the near future.

Check to see if the loan has a fixed interest rate or it's variable. A fixed rate means that it will stay the same for the life of the loan, whereas a variable rate can move either up or down. So if you really need your payments to remain the same, get the interest rate fixed. You can also usually set a time period for paying only interest, with the loan reverting to a standard loan at the end of that period. If you think you might want to convert your loan across earlier, then check the fine print to make sure there's no hefty fees involved, or else make the interest-only period shorter.

Finally, it's important to shop around. Don't just assume that your usual bank can give you the best deal - they probably can'

u can also usually set a time period for paying only interest, with the loan reverting to a standard loan at the end of that period. If you think you might want to convert your loan across earlier, then check the fine print to make sure there's no hefty fees involved, or else make the interest-only period shorter.

Finally, it's important to shop around. Don't just assume that your usual bank can give you the best deal - they probably can't. There are plenty of loan companies online, and there are also lots of sites that specialize in comparing loans. You can also get a mortgage professional to help you find the best deal for your circumstances.