Question

Why is the interest rate of a loan one of the most important things to consider when shopping around for loans?
a.
The interest rate should be ignored, because there’s nothing a consumer can do to change it.
b.
The interest rate is essentially how long you have to pay off your loan, and the shorter the better.
c.
The interest rate can drastically change the total amount paid to the lender, in the case of mortgages, up to thousands of dollars.
d.
The interest rate does not change, even between banks, so choosing the right time to borrow is essential.

Answer 1

c. The interest rate can drastically change the total amount paid to the lender, in the case of mortgages, up to thousands of dollars.
Explanation: A higher rate means more interest charged over the life of the loan, increasing your total cost; small differences in rate can add up significantly on large, long-term loans.