The interest rate is what borrowing costs; APR is what borrowing costs after the fees are folded in, origination, closing, the lot, annualized so offers can be compared honestly. A loan advertising a lower interest rate can absolutely carry a higher APR than its competitor, and that inversion is where borrowers lose real money. The guide walks through how APR is computed, why a 5% origination fee on a short loan inflates APR dramatically, and the one rule that never fails: compare est. APR* to est. APR*, never a rate to an APR. Until it publishes, know that every rate on AcquireLender is shown as est. APR* for exactly this reason.

What the full guide covers

• What the interest rate actually covers
• What APR adds: origination, closing costs, mandatory fees
• Worked example: lower rate, higher APR
• Why short terms amplify fee impact
• The only fair comparison: APR to APR

The full guide is publishing soon. The short version above is accurate and current, and the concierge already knows everything in it.