Personal Loan vs. Mortgage

At some point, you might find yourself looking to get a loan. In general, a personal loan is more flexible, in that it can be used for a variety of purposes, while a mortgage is used solely to buy real estate.

Personal Loan vs. Mortgage: An Overview

Both personal loans and mortgages are types of debt. A lender provides you with funding upfront, and you repay the lender over time. In addition to repaying the money you borrowed (called the principal), you pay interest, which is the fee you pay for using the lender’s money to make your purchase.

Personal loans and mortgages are both installment loans, so you’ll know when you’ll be done repaying your debt. These payment schedules can have fixed or variable interest rates. With a fixed rate, you pay the same amount each month, as the interest payment doesn’t change. A variable rate, though, can change. This means that if interest rates rise, your minimum monthly payment will also increase to keep you on track to pay off the loan within the agreed-upon time frame.

Each type of loan might also come with various fees, including the possibility of an origination fee to process a loan application. When reviewing the loan terms, make sure you understand what taking on debt might cost you, regardless of whether you get a personal loan or a mortgage.

It’s important to note, however, that personal loans are usually (but not always) unsecured, so if you fail to make payments, the lender’s main recourse is to sue you or send your account to collections. On the other hand, a mortgage is used to buy real estate, so if you can’t make payments, the lender can repossess the property and attempt to sell it to recover some of the money that they laid out.

Personal Loans

Personal loans are usually unsecured. They don’t require you to provide collateral as security in the event of nonpayment. Depending on the lender, it’s possible to borrow as little as $1,000 or as much as $50,000 or more. Repayment terms typically last two to five years, although that can also vary by lender.

Some lenders offer secured personal loans. In that case, you might have to put down something valuable as collateral, such as a car title or a savings account. Depending on the lender, it might be possible to get a lower interest rate if you’re willing to provide collateral.

Interest rates on personal loans can also vary wildly, depending on the lender and your credit score. If you have a higher credit score, you might be eligible for a higher loan amount and a lower interest rate. On the other hand, a lower credit score might result in a higher interest rate and limits on how much you can borrow.

Personal loans can be used for a variety of purposes. You can use a personal loan to consolidate debt, make a large purchase, pay for a vacation, or cover an emergency repair. For the most part, personal loans can’t be used for education costs. Other than that, personal loans are quite flexible.

Mortgages

By contrast, a mortgage is a type of loan used specifically to purchase real estate. A mortgage is designed to help someone buy a piece of property that they might not have the cash to purchase. The property bought by the mortgage also serves as collateral to secure the loan. If you don’t make payments, the lender can foreclose on the home and try to sell it or rent it out.

When applying for a mortgage, you can expect the process to take longer, currently at least 46 days, according the ICE Mortgage Technology. These transactions require a lot of extra documentation, including an appraisal of the property and a home inspection, if you’re getting a house. You also usually need to purchase insurance and prepare for other costs before moving forward.

In general, you might also be required to provide a down payment for a mortgage, and you may have a longer timeline—usually 30 years—to repay your home loan. It’s possible to get a shorter term, such as 10, 15, or 20 years, but it’s fairly standard to get a mortgage with the expectation that you will have a 30-year term.

As with a personal loan, your interest rate will depend largely on your credit score. However, it’s important to note that it can be more difficult to get a mortgage with poor credit than it is to find a bad-credit personal loan.

Key Differences Summarized

The biggest difference between a personal loan and a mortgage is the purpose of the loan. A mortgage is restricted to the purchase of real estate, while a personal loan can be used for a variety of purposes.

There are different types of installment loans, such as a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC), that can be used for non-real estate purposes but are still secured by the property. When looking at a personal loan vs. a home equity loan, the biggest factor to consider is that being unable to repay will most likely cost you your home. A personal loan typically won’t result in a loss of property for nonpayment, while any type of loan secured with your home could put your living situation at risk.

A personal loan is usually unsecured, unlike a mortgage, which is always secured by the property itself. Additionally, a personal loan must usually be repaid in a much shorter time frame. Most personal loans don’t have terms that allow you to repay the total over the course of 30 years.

Mortgages usually require a down payment of 3% to 20%. Some loan programs don’t require a down payment, but you’ll likely have to meet other criteria to avoid the down payment. You don’t need to worry about a down payment with a personal loan.

Depending on the lender, your credit score, and other factors, your interest rate might be different. The interest rate on a mortgage loan might be lower than that of a personal loan because the collateral reduces the risk to the lender. An unsecured personal loan, however, might have a higher interest rate, even if you have good credit, because there’s no collateral.

Is a Personal Loan or a Mortgage Better?

Which type of debt is better depends on your situation and what you’re planning to finance. In general, a personal loan has a wider range of uses. You can use the funds to make home improvements, cover medical bills, consolidate debt, go on vacation, or for myriad other purposes.

Meanwhile, a mortgage is designed solely for real estate purchases. If you want to buy a home or some other property, a mortgage might make the most sense. You can get approved for a much larger amount, potentially get a lower interest rate, and have more manageable payments with a longer repayment timeline.

Carefully consider your options and the cost of the loan. Comparing the results of a personal loan calculator with those of a mortgage calculator can help you make comparisons. Ultimately, however, it comes down to your situation and what you plan to use the money for.

How to Get a Mortgage or a Personal Loan

In general, you’ll need to provide proof of identity and income to get a personal loan or a mortgage. Most lenders also require a credit check, where they will look at your credit history and view your credit score.

You can apply online for most mortgages and personal loans. However, you’ll generally need more paperwork and might have to meet other requirements for a mortgage. You may also need to show proof of a reserve or have a down payment for a mortgage. Additionally, you typically need to have an appraisal of the property so that the lender knows it’s worth at least as much as you’re borrowing. Other requirements like insurance and closing costs often come with mortgages.

Once you apply and provide documentation, you’ll find out whether you’re accepted, and the loan funds will be disbursed. Check with the lender ahead of time to find out what the requirements are so that you can finish the process faster.

The Bottom Line

Both personal loans and mortgages can help you achieve various financial goals. However, they often have different purposes. A personal loan can work well if you need funds for the short term and want flexibility in how you use the money. A mortgage might be the better choice if you want to buy real estate and have a long repayment period, along with a potentially lower interest rate.

Carefully compare a personal loan with a mortgage to decide what’s best for you.