public static double getLoanAmt() {
        Scanner sc = new Scanner(System.in);
        double loanAmt;
        
        // asks user to enter loan amount, then validates input
        try {
            System.out.print(" Loan amount: ");
            loanAmt = sc.nextDouble();

            if (loanAmt <= 0) {
                throw (new InputMismatchException("Loan amount must " +
                        "not be zero or lesser."));
            } else if (loanAmt > 100000) {
                throw (new InputMismatchException("Loan amount must " +
                        "not be over $100,000.00"));
            }

            return loanAmt;
        } catch (InputMismatchException e) {
            getExceptionMessage("loan amount", e);
            return getLoanAmt();
        }
    }