How To Obtain Home Improvement Loan

Best Home Improvement Loans For 2021

Do you have some home improvements on your to-do list? There are several different types of home improvement loans* that can help you with your next project.

Maybe youve been dreaming of adding a pool to your backyard, converting your garage, or remodeling a bathroom? Budgeting for a home improvement or renovation takes patience and dedication. And sometimes the renovation is something that you need right away to accommodate aging parents, to make space for a new baby, or to make your home more wheelchair accessible. Home improvements can also add a bit of curb appeal and increase the value of your home.

Borrowing against the equity in your homeis one option, but what if you dont have any equity, dont want to take out a second mortgage and pay closing costs, or simply dont have great credit?

Here are some lenders with the best home improvement loans offerings that can help you finance the renovations youve been dreaming of, or the more practical ones that your home needs. Many of these come with great home improvement loan rates and require no collateral. A personal loan for home improvement might even be available to you if you happen to have less-than-perfect credit.

Are You Eligible For A Home Improvement Loan

Typically, home improvement loans are accessible to anyone. However, the loan amounts, terms, and interest rates will vary depending on your personal financial conditions. Therefore, its essential to do your homework to find the best option that fits your needs.

Generally, a personal home improvement loan market is used by an individual or joint property owners with high incomes. That is because they are considered as a lower risk since they have better financial qualifications for repaying the loan. With that being said, the best interest rate with a great payment plan is given to applicants who fit this category.

Best Home Improvement Loans Of December 2022

• Best Brick-and-Mortar Lender: Wells Fargo
• Best for Lack of Credit History: Upstart
• Best for Veterans: USAA
• Best for Small Loans: PenFed Credit Union
• Best for Fair Credit: Peerform

SoFis home improvement loans come with competitive interest rates along with a high maximum loan amount of $100,000 that will cover most home improvement projects.

• No late fees, prepayment fees, or origination fees

• Good credit recommended to qualify

• High income recommended to qualify

• Maximum/minimum amount you can borrow: $5,000 to $100,000
• : 4.99%19.53%
• Fees: None
• Minimum recommended credit score: Reported to be 680, but not disclosed on website
• Other qualification requirements: SoFi will consider your credit history, income, and employment status in your loan application.
• Repayment terms: 2 to 7 years
• Time to receive funds: Typical funding can take up to a week, from loan approval to the receipt of funds.
• Restrictions: You must be 18 or older and a U.S. citizen to qualify for a personal loan. Mississippi residents are ineligible for a SoFi loan.
• Notes: While SoFi allows multiple personal loans for individuals, Michigan residents can only have one SoFi personal loan at a time.

Read the full review:SoFi Personal Loans

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Ways To Finance A Home Renovation

Fortunately, there are different ways to finance a home renovation, even if you dont have the available cash. Banks nowadays allow you to extend your existing home loan and apply for further lending, giving you access to the available equity in your existing bond to pay for other expenses, like your home renovations.

Option 1: A re-advance on your existing home loan

• Look at applying for a re-advance on your home loan if youve already paid a portion of your home loans total amount.
• In doing so, youll be able to borrow all-or-part of your total home loan amount again.
• And once your home loan balance reduces, you can apply for another re-advance.

Option 2: Apply for further lending

• Another option is to take out a second loan, or further loan, on your property over and above your existing bond.
• Further lending is one of the most cost-effective ways to finance your home alterations.
• This can only be done if the additional amount you require exceeds your existing registered loan amount and the value of your existing property has increased since purchase.
• Your bank will need to complete a new home valuation to establish your homes present value.

What Is The Cheapest Way To Borrow Money For Home Improvements

If you dont have the cash or savings to start your home improvement, you might be considering borrowing money to start the remodel process. Most of us have borrower money at some point in time and realize it comes at a cost. Home improvement projects can be costly so finding the cheapest way to finance them is important. However, the cheapest option can vary depending on your situation. In addition, you may not qualify for the cheapest option, crossing it off your list of options. As you start searching for the cheapest way to finance home improvement projects you should narrow down your options. Explore some options, like the ones listed above, and determine which ones you think you have the best chance of qualigying for. Next, you can search for lenders that offer the product you need and check their rates.

Before applying with several different lenders, you may want to contact them to ask if they will do a hard or soft credit pull. Applying with several lenders that will do a hard credit pull can impact your credit score. If you are looking for the best way to compare home improvement loan offers without affecting your credit score, visit Acorn Finance.

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Why A Home Improvement Loan May Be Right For You

According to Compare the Market research, 32% of homeowners are planning some form of home renovation. If youre one of them, a home improvement loan could help.

Home improvement loans offer the following benefits:

• Quick access to your money once approved, you could have the money for your renovation project in your bank account within days in some cases, even 24 hours.
• A loan with fixed interest rates helps you to budget for your monthly repayments.
• You can choose the period over which you pay back a home improvement loan. The repayment period can range from one to seven years, or even longer.
• You can choose the amount you want to borrow. But always be sure that you can afford the monthly repayments.
• You can choose how you spend your money. In most cases, you dont have to specify what you want the money for. For example, if you end up spending less on a home improvement project, you might want to use the remainder of the loan money for something else.

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Compare Rates From Top Lenders

The process couldnt have been any easier. I filled out a short form that took me less than 2 minutes and within seconds I got multiple offers from lenders.

– Mike T.

It was important to me that I could review my offers without any impact to my credit score, before deciding on the best loan option.

– Carol R

I like the easy online and 100% paperless experience of Acorn Finance. I received my money two days after completing my application.

Is Interest On A Home Improvement Loan Tax Deductible

In most cases no, but there are some exceptions. If you are using a home equity loan or second mortgage, and the loan built or substantially improved the same home that secured the loan, you can deduct the interest.

Unsecured loans typically do not have this rule and are not tax deductible. Loans and interest for business expenses can be deduced from taxes though. So, if you are improving or renovating your home to build an office or make a workspace, you might be able to deduct a certain percentage of the home improvement loan and the interest from your taxes.

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Get Home Equity Line Of Credit

Home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs, are a revolving type of loan.

Similar to a credit card, they allow a homeowner to borrow money periodically over a set amount of time. Usually, between 5-10 years and you only pay interest on the borrowed amount.

HELOC loans are best suited for homeowners that tackle smaller projects, like replacing an air conditioning unit or painting the exterior of the home.

These types of loans are often best for projects in the $5,000-$15,000 range.

Since HELOs are adjustable rate mortgages with fluctuating interest rates, closing costs or application fees are normally not attached.

However, defaulting on this type of loan can put the home at risk if the debt is not serviced.

Faq On Home Improvement Loans

Do I have to have an above-average credit score to take out a Home Improvement personal loan?

What is the best way to locate a Home Improvement lender online?

What will determine my final installment payment for a Home Improvement personal loan package?

What do I need to put down to obtain a Home Improvement personal loan?

What types of lending products are featured for Home Improvement loan products?

What is the average interest rate for a Home Improvement personal loan?

QUICK LINKS

Recommended Reading: Usaa Mortgage Credit Score

Ask If You Really Need A Home Improvement Loan

Know going in that a home improvement loan will come with repayment obligations that are fixed, enforced and come with relatively high-interest rates. If you can come up with home renovation cash out of personal savings, low-interest credit card, or from a zero-interest loan from a friend or family member, that could save you money in the long run.

What Are The Reasons For A Home Improvement Loan

The reasons to get a home improvement loan may be endless but here are just a few

#1. Improve the value of your homeMaking home improvements or home repairs can improve the value of your home. This means that even though you may incur interest and fees using a home improvement loan, you are likely to recoup your investment. In addition, taking care of home repairs right away can prevent further damage while saving you money in the long term.

#2. Remodel vs. moveRemodeling your home can be much easier than moving. In addition, most homeowners find the remodeling process very enjoyable. It provides homeowners a chance to customize their home and create a more functional living space. In addition, remodeling your home can increase the home value significantly.

#3. EmergencyEmergencies happen. Whether you have an urgent repair or damages and you do not have the cash on hand, you should use a home improvement loan.

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The 5 Best Financing Options For Home Improvement

Heres the part you have been looking forward to. Lets explore the top 5 best financing options for home improvement loans. . .

Personal LoansPersonal loans can be used for home improvements and just about anything else. Homeowners that need to finance smaller home improvements should consider a personal loan. Unsecured personal loans do not require collateral making them a fairly safe option. In addition, you dont necessarily need great credit to qualify. Acorn Finance has lending partners that can help all credit types obtain a personal loan for home improvements. Another benefit of using a personal loan is that you can receive funds quickly. Some lenders that partner with Acorn Finance can fund loans within one day. Most personal loans offer a fixed interest rate, thus making them easy to manage with predictable monthly payments. The minimum monthly payment and interest rate does not change with a fixed interest loan. Most banks, credit unions, and online lenders offer personal loans. Homeowners that are considering a personal loan can submit one application through Acorn Finance and receive multiple personalized loan offers within minutes without affecting their credit. Acorn Finance can connect you to lenders that offer personal loans up to $100,000 with terms up to 12 years and rates starting at just 3.99%.

When You Should Get A Personal Loan For Home Improvements

• You have a mid-sized project.Personal loans typically offer between $1,000 and $100,000 in funding.
• You can’t pay off the project in a year.If you can pay off your home improvement project relatively quickly, it may be more worthwhile to charge it to a 0% APR credit card. Popular 0% APR credit cards offer 12 months or more of interest-free financing.
• You don’t want to put up collateral.Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit use your house as collateral. Personal loans are generally unsecured, meaning there is no collateral.
• You have good or excellent credit.People with high credit scores can get APRs as low as around 4% on personal loans. However, personal loan APRs can be up to 36% for people with lower credit scores.
• You want faster funding.It can often take a few weeks to get funding for a home equity product, but personal loans generally get funded within 7 business days after you apply.

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Which Loan Is Best For A House That Needs Improvements

There are several types of loans you can use for home improvement. These are as follows:

Personal Loan: These are unsecured loans meaning they are not protected by a guarantor, and they do not require collateral. They can be used for any purpose and interest rates are typically based on your credit score, income, and other factors. They are a good choice if you dont want to put your home or other valuables up for collateral. Personal loans are one of the best options for home improvement projects such as landscaping, finishing a basement, installing new flooring, and so forth.

Home Equity Loans: Home equity loans are typically paid in a lump sum. The money is usually used for home improvements. To be eligible, you must use your home as collateral. This can get you lower interest rates, but if you miss payments, you may end up losing your home.

Home Equity Line of Credit : This is a revolving line of credit secured by your home equity. You can take money out for home related expenses as needed so it is not a lump sum payment. Like a home equity loan, a HELOC uses your home as collateral. It can also provide lower interest rates than a personal loan.

The option that is best for you will depend on your personal and financial situation.

How Do I Get Additional Support With My Banking

You can use the Banking My Way service to tell us about any additional support or adjustments you might need with your banking.

This information will be shared across the bank, meaning you wont need to tell us about your requirements every time you interact with us.

As an existing customer, youll be able to provide this information online, over the phone, or by visiting a branch.

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Other Loan Options For Improving Your Home

While home equity loans and HELOCs can provide an inexpensive form of financing, they’re not always the best solution.

Because they’re secured by your home, the lender can foreclose on your home if you default on your payments, forcing you to sell it so the lender can recoup the amount you owed.

If you’d rather not risk the roof over your head, alternatives include cash-out refinancing and personal loans.

Home Equity Loans Or Helocs

A home equity loan allows you to borrow against the equity in your home through a line of credit. Much like a credit card, you can borrow up to a certain amount of money and any balance carries over month to month. Unlike a refinance, youll need to make monthly minimum payments on this loan in addition to your mortgage. Youll only be charged interest on money you use.

One drawback of this option is that your interest rate on the credit line can fluctuate, which will make your monthly payment go up or down. You may also incur a small fee to have your HELOC set up. Before you decide to go this route, make sure youre responsible with credit and that you understand the risks you take. Such risks include damage to your credit if you fail to repay the HELOC or a frozen credit line if your home value drops too much.

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Home Equity Loans And Helocs

One of the most common ways to finance home improvements is through a second mortgage in the form of a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit.

Both are designed for homeowners who have at least 20% equity in their homes, and the debt is secured by the home itself. As a result, home equity loans and lines of credit typically offer lower interest rates than other loan types, especially unsecured loans.

If you use loan funds from a home equity loan or line of credit to buy, build or substantially improve the home used to secure the debt, you may be able to deduct some or all of the interest paid on your tax return.

Home equity loans and lines of credit are best if you’re confident in your ability to repay the debt on time. Here’s what you need to know about each one.