Housing Insight

Should You Choose a Longer Tenure for Lower EMIs

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Aakash Jain

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Choosing a longer home loan tenure reduces your EMIs, making monthly payments more manageable. However, it also results in a higher total interest paid over time. The right tenure depends on factors such as income stability, future financial goals, and repayment capacity. 

Understanding how loan tenure affects your financial planning is crucial. Carefully consider these factors to choose a tenure that matches your long-term financial goals.

Understanding Home Loan Tenure and EMI

Home loan tenure refers to the total duration of the loan, encompassing both the disbursed amount and the repayment period. The entire principal and interest need to be repaid within this timeframe. 

Typically, the minimum home loan tenure is 2 years, while the maximum home loan tenure can extend up to 30 years. Flexibility in tenure depends on these factors:

  • Retirement age

  • Income

  • Financial goals and others

Longer Tenure

This usually ranges from 10 to 30 years. A longer tenure reduces the EMI, making repayment more manageable without affecting other expenses. It offers a structured repayment plan, assisting borrowers in effectively managing their finances. 

However, a longer tenure increases the total interest paid, making the loan more costly over time.

Short Tenure

This loan has a repayment period of less than 10 years. Those with strong financial capacity and a higher repayment budget may find a shorter tenure a wise choice.

Benefits:

  • Lower overall loan cost

  • Faster loan closure

  • Lower interest rates

Pros and Cons of Shorter Loan Tenure and Higher EMIs

Choosing a shorter loan tenure with higher EMIs can help you save on interest and clear debt faster. However, it also demands a larger monthly commitment, which can affect your savings and investment plans. Here is a list of the pros and cons:

Pros

Cons

Reduces total interest costs

Requires a higher monthly financial commitment

Clears debt quickly, leading to financial freedom

May impact savings and other financial goals

Banks often offer lower interest rates for shorter tenures due to lower risk

Could increase financial strain during periods of reduced income

Improves creditworthiness by paying off the loan quickly

Higher EMIs may limit funds for other investments or expenses

Pros and Cons of Longer Loan Tenure and Reduced EMIs

Choosing a longer loan tenure lowers your monthly EMI, making repayment easier. However, it increases the total interest paid, impacting your long-term financial goals.

Pros

Cons

Makes repayment manageable and reduces financial burden

Increases total interest cost over time

Leaves more disposable income for savings and investments

Extends repayment period, impacting long-term plans

Offers better budgeting flexibility with lower monthly payments

Higher interest rates may apply for longer tenures

Suitable for individuals with multiple financial commitments

Prolonged repayment keeps you indebted longer

Factors to Consider When Choosing Home Loan Tenure

Choosing the right home loan tenure depends on multiple factors. This includes your financial situation and future goals. Here are some factors you can consider before choosing a home loan tenure:

  • Budget and Financial Goals

A shorter tenure leads to faster repayment and lower interest. However, a longer tenure provides lower EMIs, reducing financial burden.

  • Total Interest Outgo

A longer tenure results in higher interest payments over time. A shorter tenure reduces the total interest cost.

  • Age

Plan your loan tenure around your retirement age. Younger borrowers with many working years ahead can opt for a longer tenure to ease EMI stress.

  • Monthly Income

Your income level plays a key role in tenure selection. Higher earnings allow you to manage bigger EMIs comfortably, making a shorter tenure a cost-saving option.

  • Home Loan Type

Tenure options vary based on loan type, such as home purchase, renovation, or plot loans. Select your tenure based on the loan type and repayment capacity.

  • Flexibility and Prepayment Options

Selecting a loan with flexible repayment terms helps you choose the best option for your current financial status. Some banks also offer prepayment or foreclosure without heavy charges, allowing you to close the loan when you have savings available.

  • Purpose

The loan’s purpose influences tenure choice. For self-use properties, longer tenures with affordable EMIs are practical. For investment properties, shorter tenures maximise returns.

  • EMI Considerations

Longer tenures lower monthly EMIs, while shorter tenures increase them. Choose based on your financial comfort and affordability.

Impact of Longer Home Loan Tenure on Financial Planning

Choosing a longer home loan tenure significantly influences your financial planning. Here are some key impacts to consider:

  • Higher Overall Interest Costs

One of the biggest drawbacks of a longer loan tenure is the increased total interest paid over the years. As interest accrues over an extended period, the cumulative amount becomes higher than with a shorter tenure.

  • Delayed Financial Independence

A long home loan tenure can extend well into later years, sometimes even into retirement. This may delay financial independence, as a large portion of income remains tied to EMI payments for an extended period. Without proper planning, it can also strain post-retirement finances.

  • Effect on Loan Eligibility for Future Needs

A longer home loan tenure affects your debt-to-income ratio. This can impact your ability to secure future loans, such as for a car, business, or education. Financial institutions often consider ongoing liabilities when assessing loan eligibility. A long-term commitment reduces borrowing capacity.

  • Retirement Planning Challenges

Extending your home loan into retirement years could make repaying EMIs without a steady income difficult. A longer tenure requires extra savings or investments to cover loan payments after retirement.

Conclusion

Selecting a longer home loan tenure with lower EMIs depends on your budget, future goals, and repayment capacity. Longer tenures make monthly payments manageable but increase total interest costs. Shorter tenures reduce interest but demand higher EMIs. 

You need to strike a balance that aligns with your income and long-term financial plans. Assess your financial priorities carefully before making a decision.

FAQs on Choosing a Longer Tenure for Lower EMIs

Longer Tenure For Lower Emis
Will opting for a shorter tenure impact my ability to save or invest?

Choosing a shorter loan tenure means higher EMIs. This can reduce your monthly savings and investment opportunities. You need to evaluate your finances before deciding on your loan tenure.

Yes, a longer loan tenure can impact your eligibility for other loans since banks check your existing EMIs before approving new credit.

Yes, most banks allow you to prepay your home loan before the tenure ends. However, some may charge a prepayment fee, so you have to check with your bank first.

Individuals with lower or fluctuating incomes need to choose a longer tenure. This is to keep EMIs affordable and avoid financial strain.

You can reduce your home loan EMI with the following things:

  • Opt for a longer loan tenure

  • Make a higher down payment

  • Regularly make prepayments

The after-prepayment EMI is calculated by adjusting the outstanding loan amount after deducting the prepayment. Based on the new principal, the remaining tenure, and the interest rate, the revised EMI is determined.

Choosing between reducing EMI or tenure depends on your financial priorities:

  • Reduce EMI if you want lower monthly payments for better cash flow and financial flexibility

  • Reduce tenure if you want to save on total interest and become debt-free faster

You have to choose a tenure that aligns with your repayment capacity, income stability, and long-term financial goals. The term length for a Home Loan ranges from 2 years to 30 years.

A long home loan tenure has both advantages and drawbacks:

Pros

  • Lower EMIs

  • Easier repayment for lower incomes

  • Better cash flow for other investments

Cons

  • Higher total interest

  • Longer financial commitment

  • May impact eligibility for other loans

Yes, some lenders allow you to change the loan tenure under certain conditions. You can change your tenure through the following options:

  1. Contact your lender
  2. Request a tenure modificatio
  3. Explain your financial situation
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Hi! I’m Aakash Jain
Blogger

Aakash is a seasoned marketing and finance professional with over five years of experience. With a unique blend of financial expertise and creative flair, he excels in crafting succinct, user-friendly content that empowers readers to make well-informed choices. Specialising in articles, blogs, and website pages for loan products, Aakash is dedicated to simplifying complex concepts and delivering valuable insights that resonate with diverse audiences.

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