All of us want to be debt-free as early as possible. Carrying the burden of debt, however big or small, can be overwhelming. That said, prepayment is a potential tool in the arsenal of borrowers that can help them reduce their debt burden significantly.

When it comes to home loans, prepayment can be a convenient option through which you can repay your loan earlier than the actual loan tenure and be debt-free. However, before choosing it, you must be aware of its pros and cons to make an informed choice. Let’s learn more about the concept of home loan prepayment and its advantages and disadvantages.

What is Home Loan Prepayment?

Home Loan foreclosure or prepayment is a facility through which you can pay, in part or in full, the outstanding principal amount of your home loan. Prepayment of home loans is a facility offered by almost all lenders, subject to certain terms and conditions, and it helps you close a loan before its original tenure.

Also Read: Myth vs. Facts: 4 Home Loan Myths Busted

Advantages of Home Loan Prepayment

Save on Home Loan Interest
Home Loan interest rates are often floating. Prepayment of home loans helps you save on home loan interest along with bringing down the loan tenure. The earlier you prepay, the more interest you can save. Hence, if you want to maximize savings on interest payment, make sure to prepay at the beginning of the loan tenure.

You can use online home loan prepayment calculators, available on your lender’s website, to compute the interest saved and reduction in tenure basis the prepayment amount. However, do note that as a standard policy, the loan tenure gets adjusted if any prepayment is made. But, if you wish to make any changes to the EMI amount, it is advisable to contact your lender and make this request.

Focus on Other Commitments and Peace of Mind
When you become debt-free early, you can easily focus on other commitments. You can channelize the money saved as interest for other investments to grow your wealth. At the same time, it gives you peace of mind as the burden of debt is taken off your shoulders.

Disadvantages of Home Loan Prepayment

Missing Out on Home Loan Tax Benefits
Home loans not only help you accomplish one of the biggest life goals but also help you lower your tax liability. You can claim tax benefits on the principal and interest amount. However, when you prepay your home loan, it brings down the outstanding principal amount and the interest, and you may miss out on tax benefits. Having said that, the benefits largely depend on the tax bracket you fall under and the existing tax laws. To learn more about the tax benefits available on home loans, click here

Also Read: A Guide to Avail Tax Benefits on Home Loans

Paying Prepayment Penalty
Prepayment of home loans may attract a penalty, particularly if it is availed on a fixed interest rate. However, prepayment charges may vary from lender to lender, and you can find more about it in the loan document.

On the other hand, home loans availed on floating interest rates do not attract prepayment charges. But do note that prepayment penalty is a function of a customer being an individual or entity. While individuals don’t pay prepayment penalties, entities do. Hence, it is important to understand home loan prepayment rules well to avoid any surprises later.

Accumulating a Sizeable Prepayment Amount
Accumulating a decent prepayment amount can be a little challenging, particularly when income is under stress. A home loan is a big-ticket commitment and accumulating a sizeable prepayment amount in the initial years of your home loan can be tough. You might need to wait for windfalls in the form of bonuses or maturity of insurance policies to accumulate funds for prepayment which could take considerable years.

The Final Word

While home loan prepayment has its advantages, it’s vital for you to weigh the pros and cons carefully before opting for it. Due diligence will help you make the best out of this option.

Also Read: 5 Things to Consider Before Prepaying Home Loan

Godrej Capital is the financial services arm of Godrej Group which offers Home loans Loan Against Property and other secured loans. With innovative products and offerings, customers can get hassle-free loans on easy terms and conditions. Click here to know more about the offering..

Disclaimer: 

The contents of this article are for information purposes only and not a financial advisory. The information is subject to update, revision, and amendment and may change materially. The information is not intended for distribution or use by any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or would subject Godrej Capital or its Affiliates to any requirements. Godrej Capital or its Affiliates shall not be responsible for any direct/indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for making any decisions, financial or otherwise based on the contents and information mentioned. For more information, please visit www.godrejcapital.com