Can You Convert a Personal Loan to a Home Loan? All You Need to Know

Learn about the differences between personal loans and home loans, and discover strategies like refinancing, balance transfers, and loans against property to manage your debt effectively.
Home Loan
2 min
08 October 2024
Personal loans and home loans serve different purposes. While a personal loan is typically unsecured and used for various expenses like travel, education, or emergencies, a home loan is a secured loan specifically meant for purchasing or constructing a house. So, the big question is: “Can we convert personal loan to home loan?” The short answer is no, you cannot directly convert a personal loan to a home loan.

These two loans are fundamentally different in terms of purpose, interest rates, and collateral requirements. However, there are some strategies you can consider if you want to manage your debt more effectively.

Understanding the basics: Personal loan vs. home loan

Before diving into converting a personal loan into a home loan, it’s essential to understand their differences:

  • Personal loan: This is an unsecured loan, meaning it does not require collateral. The loan amount can be used for any purpose, but the interest rates are usually higher. Since it’s unsecured, lenders consider it riskier, leading to shorter repayment tenures and stricter eligibility criteria.
  • Home loan: This is a secured loan where your property acts as collateral. The interest rates are generally lower, and the tenure can extend up to 32 years. Home loans are suitable for buying a new house, building a home, or renovating an existing property.

Refinancing your personal loan

One option is to refinance your personal loan. Refinancing means taking a new loan to pay off the existing one. If you have a good credit score, you might get a lower interest rate on the new loan. This can help you save money on interest payments.

Taking a home loan

If you are planning to buy a house, you can apply for a home loan separately. Home loans have lower interest rates and longer repayment terms compared to personal loans. This makes them more affordable in the long run. You can use the home loan to purchase your dream home and manage your finances better.

Balance transfer

Another option is a balance transfer. This involves transferring your existing personal loan to a new lender offering a lower interest rate. This can help reduce your monthly payments and make it easier to manage your debt.

Using a loan against property

If you already own a home, you can consider a loan against property. This type of loan allows you to borrow against the equity in your home. The interest rates on home equity loans are usually lower than personal loans. You can use the funds to pay off your personal loan and benefit from the lower interest rate.

Benefits of home loans

While you cannot directly convert a personal loan to a home loan, there are several strategies to manage your debt effectively. Refinancing, balance transfers, and home equity loans are some options to consider.

Home loans offer several benefits. They have lower interest rates compared to personal loans. The repayment terms are longer, which means lower monthly payments. Home loans also come with tax benefits, which can help you save money.

If you are considering a home loan, Bajaj Housing Finance Home Loan is a great option. With competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms, you can make your dream of owning a home a reality.

Here are a few benefits of opting for Bajaj Housing Finance Home Loan:

1. High loan amount: Make your dream home a reality with a high-value loan amount of up to Rs. 15 crore*.

2. Competitive interest rates: Enjoy low interest rates starting at just 8.25%* p.a, translating to affordable EMIs as low as Rs. 741/lakh*.

3. Quick approval: Get your loan application approved within 48 Hours*—sometimes even sooner.

4. Long tenure: Repay comfortably with a long tenure of up to 32 years, making your EMIs more manageable.

5. No foreclosure charges: Individual borrowers with a floating interest rate can foreclose or partially prepay their loan at no extra cost.

6. Convenient application process: Skip multiple branch visits with our hassle-free process and doorstep document collection service.

Additionally, you can opt for a home loan balance transfer facility to move your existing loan to Bajaj Housing Finance for better interest rates and terms. This way, you can save on your overall interest outgo and pay off your loan faster.

Frequently asked questions

How does personal loan interest differ from home loan interest rates?
Personal loan interest rates are generally higher because these loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is required. Home loan interest rates are lower since the property acts as collateral, reducing the lender’s risk. This makes home loans more affordable over long tenures.

What factors should I consider before taking out both loans?
Consider your repayment capacity, interest rates, tenures, and loan purpose before taking out both loans. Also, ensure you have a stable income, good credit score, and a clear financial plan to avoid overburdening yourself with multiple EMIs.

Can I avail of tax benefits on both personal and home loans?
You can avail tax benefits on home loans under Section 80C and 24(b) for principal and interest payments. Tax benefits on personal loans are only available if the loan is used for specific purposes like home renovation, and even then, they may be limited.

How do I get a better interest rate on my home loan if I already have a personal loan?
To get a better interest rate, improve your credit score, opt for a balance transfer, or increase your down payment. Negotiating with your lender and maintaining a stable income can also help secure a lower rate despite having a personal loan.

Can I extend the tenure of my personal loan if I take out a home loan?
No, taking out a home loan does not directly impact the tenure of your personal loan. However, you can consider consolidating your debts or opting for a loan balance transfer to extend the tenure and reduce monthly payments for better manageability.

Show More Show Less

Bajaj Finserv App for All Your Financial Needs and Goals

Trusted by 50 million+ customers in India, Bajaj Finserv App is a one-stop solution for all your financial needs and goals.

You can use the Bajaj Finserv App to:

  • Apply for loans online, such as Instant Personal Loan, Home Loan, Business Loan, Gold Loan, and more.
  • Explore and apply for co-branded credit cards online.
  • Invest in fixed deposits and mutual funds on the app.
  • Choose from multiple insurance for your health, motor and even pocket insurance, from various insurance providers.
  • Pay and manage your bills and recharges using the BBPS platform. Use Bajaj Pay and Bajaj Wallet for quick and simple money transfers and transactions.
  • Apply for Insta EMI Card and get a pre-approved limit on the app. Explore over 1 million products on the app that can be purchased from a partner store on Easy EMIs.
  • Shop from over 100+ brand partners that offer a diverse range of products and services.
  • Use specialised tools like EMI calculators, SIP Calculators
  • Check your credit score, download loan statements and even get quick customer support—all on the app.
Download the Bajaj Finserv App today and experience the convenience of managing your finances on one app.

Do more with the Bajaj Finserv App!

UPI, Wallet, Loans, Investments, Cards, Shopping and more

Disclaimer

1. Bajaj Finance Limited (“BFL”) is a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) and Prepaid Payment Instrument Issuer offering financial services viz., loans, deposits, Bajaj Pay Wallet, Bajaj Pay UPI, bill payments and third-party wealth management products. The details mentioned in the respective product/ service document shall prevail in case of any inconsistency with respect to the information referring to BFL products and services on this page.

2. All other information, such as, the images, facts, statistics etc. (“information”) that are in addition to the details mentioned in the BFL’s product/ service document and which are being displayed on this page only depicts the summary of the information sourced from the public domain. The said information is neither owned by BFL nor it is to the exclusive knowledge of BFL. There may be inadvertent inaccuracies or typographical errors or delays in updating the said information. Hence, users are advised to independently exercise diligence by verifying complete information, including by consulting experts, if any. Users shall be the sole owner of the decision taken, if any, about suitability of the same.