Regardless of whether you’ve been at home for several years or merely a few months, sometimes what it needs is a little furnishing and renovation to give it a fresh look. However, you cannot always rely on your own finances to fund these home improvement projects.
Don’t worry, because you have different options to pay for any home renovations even if you’re running a little tight on cash. This article guides you through a few means with which you can fund your home improvement projects, so read on!
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Best Means to Finance Home Improvements
If you have established that refinancing is appropriate for your home renovation, you have several options to choose from:
1. Home Improvement Loans
Home improvement loans are unsecured personal loans provided by banks, credit unions, and several other online lenders. Being unsecured, you don’t have to put up any collateral to get the loan sanctioned.
The interest rate on the loan further depends upon your credit score, and funding comes swiftly; once you comply with the terms, many lenders credit the principal amount directly to your account within a day.
Home renovation loans have shorter repayment timelines, smaller loan amounts, and lower fees when compared to home equity loans, and are typically suitable for small or mid-sized renovations, such as a bathroom makeover, among other such projects.
However, you must realise that home renovation loans have higher rates than home equity loans and HELOCs bevause they’re unsecured, and especially if your credit score is on the lower end of the spectrum.
Some lenders charge a fee for application processing, late payments, and even prepayments. It is thus imperative that you compare the best home improvement loan lenders that provide low-interest rates, decent fees, favourable repayment terms, and a swift payout.
2. Home Equity Lines Of Credit (HELOCs)
A HELOC is a secured loan that is backed by your home as collateral. With a HELOC, you are eligible for lower interest rates when compared to unsecured home improvement loans. A HELOC revolves around credit, implying that you can take what you need, whenever you need it.
However, because you are required to put your home up as collateral, your property might face foreclosure if you delay payments. Most HELOCs also offer variable interest rates, so you must be aware that your settlements might increase as per the market conditions.
There is one catch to securing a HELOC loan, which is that for you to borrow against your house, you must have ample home equity. Before going for a HELOC, ensure that the value of your home is considerably higher than the sum you still owe on your mortgage.
If you’re on the lookout for a good platform to obtain home improvement loans, visit Creditspring, which simplifies loan sanctioning with no hidden costs or terms that otherwise mar the process.
3. Home Equity Loans
A home equity loan, also sometimes referred to as a second mortgage, is a loan settled in a lump sum that you can repay over several years in regular specified monthly payments.
With these loans, there is no reason to worry about market fluctuations. Once you seal in your fixed interest rate, your monthly payment remains the same throughout your loan’s tenure. These loans have a downside though, however, which is that you have less payment flexibility when compared to a HELOC, for instance.
However, if you’re sure about how much your project will cost, a home equity loan might be an ideal choice as you will receive the entire amount upfront. However, failing to meet your deadlines could lead to your home getting foreclosed as this kind of loan uses your residential property as collateral.
4. Mortgage Refinances
Refinancing swaps your current mortgage with a new one with a new interest rate. Since you get to conceal the difference if the new loan is heftier than the previous one, you could use the extra money from a cash-out refinance to pay for your home renovations.
A rate-and-term refinance might provide lower interest rates and fees, but you will not receive financial aid the way you do with a cash-out refinance.
If you are considering refinancing, you must weigh its drawbacks; you will have to pay for an appraisal, taxes, origination fees, and other closing-related costs. Unless you refinance your mortgage for a briefer term, you will keep extending the loan’s tenure.
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5. Credit Cards
If your home improvements are minor, like upgrading a bathroom vanity or getting a new closet installed, choosing your credit card to finance your project might be an ideal choice.
Since some cards are interest-free for the first couple of months, you will enjoy a significant advantage when repaying. If you own a 0% introductory APR card, paying for minor home improvements can be made interest-free.
Many cards also offer great rewards, so the more you spend on a renovation, the more cashback you could receive if your credit card provides such benefits.
However, the risk associated with this method is that if you fail to pay back your balance before the introductory offer expires, you might face exorbitantly high-interest rates, even higher than those on other home improvement loan options.
However, if you do not use an introductory offer card and choose to use your regular card instead, you will have to repay the whole amount by the next deadline.
See Also: 10 Best Loans In Nigeria Without Collateral
6. Government Loans
Another option that you can consider to finance your home improvement projects is a government loan. If you become eligible for a government loan, you can save on interest expenses and insurance.
However, you must be mindful that the capital must go toward renovations that improve the home’s livability, and that some upgrades might not qualify. Some of these schemes are grants, which you do not have to repay, while others are loans with low interest rates.
Consider visiting Creditspring to get a loan with no hassle and finance your christmas expenses with no hidden costs or complicated terms that might overwhelm you.
Final Words
Selecting an ideal way to finance your next home improvement project is entirely dependent on the nature of the project and your current financial position.
Regardless of which financing method you pick, it is always worth thoroughly researching all your options, or identifying a credible financial planner to help you make the right decision.