Applying for a lease buyout loan is similar to applying for an auto loan. While the exact process will vary by lender, here are some general steps you’ll follow to finance your lease buyout:
Check your credit score
Whenever you’re thinking about applying for financing, it’s a good idea to check your credit score first. You can do so for free by using LendingTree Spring. Lenders use your credit score to determine whether to approve your loan request and the interest rate they’ll offer. The best rates go to borrowers with excellent credit scores, while those with lower scores may pay more for the privilege of borrowing.
Luckily, if you want to improve your credit score before applying for a loan to buy your leased vehicle, there are some things you can do. Start by checking your credit report for any errors. Then, concentrate on making your monthly loan payments on time, every time. Also, work on paying down existing debt to improve your debt-to-income ratio.
Examine your lease contract
Reading your original lease agreement can give you a better idea of how much it will cost to purchase your car from the dealer. You may be expected to pay three sets of fees during a lease buyout, including:
1. Residual value: Your car’s residual value is the purchase option price that the leasing company charges for your vehicle. It may be negotiable and reflects what the car is worth, factoring in previous sale prices and demand for the particular make and model.
2. Taxes and Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) fees: These can include sales tax and title transfer or registration fees.
3. Administrative fees: Your leasing company may also charge a fee to cover the costs of facilitating the transaction.
Gather your supporting documents
The documents you’ll need to provide with your loan application will vary by lender, but you may need to provide some of the following supporting documents:
- Proof of identity (driver’s license or passport)
- Proof of insurance (car insurance card)
- Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns)
- Proof of residence (lease agreement, mortgage statement, utility bill)
- Vehicle information (current car lease agreement)
- Current vehicle registration
- Social Security number
Consider your payment options
It’s always a good idea to shop around for an auto loan. Receiving quotes from multiple lenders will help you ensure that you are choosing the loan with the best interest rate available to you and loan terms that suit your needs.
When in doubt, consider getting quotes from multiple lenders before making your decision. Be sure to provide each lender with the same information so that you have the ability to make an apples-to-apples comparison once you have all your quotes in hand. You may receive up to five auto loan offers from lenders by filling out a single form with LendingTree.
Apply for a lease buyout loan
Once you’ve weighed your options and selected the best lender for you, the last step is to fill out the loan application and provide any supporting documentation. If the lender approves your loan, review the terms carefully and ask any questions that you may have before signing on the dotted line.
