When You Should Use A Credit Card For Home Improvements
You should use a credit card for home improvements if you are able to qualify for a card with a 0% introductory APR and the project is small enough to pay off fully within the card’s 0% period. Credit cards’ regular APRs tend to be quite high, so it’s not a good idea to carry a balance after the 0% APR ends.
Best For Applying With A Co
Why SoFi stands out: SoFi lets people apply for a personal loan with a co-applicant. If your credit needs some work, applying with a co-applicant who has good credit may improve your chances of qualifying for a loan or snagging a lower interest rate. Two other lenders in our ranking, Wells Fargo and LightStream, also let you add co-applicants. But SoFi stands out from these lenders because of its member perks and prequalification option.
Heres what you should know about SoFi personal loans.
Read our full review of SoFi personal loans to learn more.
Best For Small Home Improvement Projects: Marcus
Why Marcus stands out: Marcus offers loan amounts ranging from $3,500 to $40,000, making it a good choice for people who have smaller home renovation projects that they want to take off their to-do lists.Youll likely need fairly strong credit to qualify. The lack of fees along with the option to apply for prequalification distinguish Marcus from the other lenders we picked that also offer smaller loans.
Here are a few more things to know about personal loans from Marcus.
- No-fee promise: Marcus says it doesnt charge you a sign-up fee, or prepayment or late fees on its personal loans. But remember that if you pay late, it may negatively affect your credit.
- Prequalification application: Marcus gives you an opportunity to apply for prequalification with a soft credit inquiry, so you can preview estimated rates and terms without affecting your credit scores. Prequalification doesnt guarantee approval, though, and your final terms may change if you formally apply. A formal application may also result in a hard credit inquiry.
- On-time payment reward: If youve made 12 consecutive on-time payments, you may be able to defer a payment. If you take advantage of this feature, your loan term extends by one month but Marcus pauses interest accrual during the deferral period. If you ever miss a payment or pay late, you wont be able to take advantage of this feature at any time during your loan term.
Read our full review of Marcus personal loans to learn more.
Don’t Miss: Vehicle Loan Calculator Usaa
Can I Get A Home Improvements Loan With Bad Credit
Itâs possible to get a home improvement loan if you have bad credit. However, lenders may offer you lower limits and higher rates, as this helps them reduce the risk of you not paying them back. They may also want to use your home as security, meaning you could lose it if you donât keep up with repayments. Find out more about loans for people with bad credit.
You may want to try and improve your credit score before applying for a loan. Boosting your score can improve your chances of getting approved for better deals.
Read Also: What Credit Score Is Needed For Usaa Auto Loan
Average Home Improvement Project Costs
The cost of renovating or improving a house typically depends on where you live and the room you are working on. For example, kitchen and bathrooms typically cost the most while bedrooms, living rooms and basements are the more affordable of the bunch. Heres a look at common home improvement projects and their average costs, according to HomeAdvisor.
| Project |
|---|
Also Check: Will Va Loans Cover Manufactured Homes
Bank Of America: Best Home Equity Line Of Credit For Home Improvement With Low Fees
Using your home equity to pay for home improvement projects that increase the value of your home is a smart move.
A HELOC is a secured loan, meaning that the loan is backed by your home.
A HELOC allows you to borrow what you need and since its secured, in general you can qualify for lower interest rates rather than you would for an unsecured personal loan.
Bank of America is a good choice because it offers low or no fees. There are no annual fees, no closing costs, and no application fees.
Even more, youll save a lot on your loan if you qualify for their 1.375% discount on your interest rate.
The APR is low, so thats good, but you have to qualify for the rate, which means your credit score has to be good to great and your debt should be low.
Thats also the norm for personal loans, so you shouldnt be surprised that your finances need to be in tip-top shape.
The good thing is that you can convert all or some of your balance to a fixed-rate loan if you take on at least $5,000 and no more than 90% of the maximum line amount.
In addition, Bank of America gives you discounts.
You get 0.25% off your rate when you sign up for automatic billing.
You get up to 0.75% off when you make the first initial withdrawal.
There are no additional fees, even if you convert some of your funds to a fixed-rate option.
Important Facts:
Bottom Line: Home Improvement Loans
A renovation or home improvement project doesnt have to be put on hold because the out-of-pocket cost can be so high.
There are multiple financing options available for your situation and renovation needs. Figure out where you stand regarding credit, income, and equity in your home.
Then research these options for one that fits your needs! Make sure to speak with online mortgage lenders to understand your options.
Keep Reading:
Don’t Miss: Usaa Auto Loan Pre Approval
Home Equity Line Of Credit
A home equity line of credit is another type of loan to finance your projects. Similar to a credit card, but with a much lower interest rate. Its also a good option because it offers unsecured personal loans, meaning you dont need any other collateral besides the value in your home. However, since you are borrowing against the equity in your home, youll need to own a sufficient portion of your home before you can take advantage of this type of home improvement loan.
What Are Home Improvement Loans
Home improvement personal loans are unsecured loans that all credit types can qualify for. Most lenders offer repayment terms between 2-7 years depending on the size of the loan and borrowers credit. Homeowners can borrow up to $100,000 with interest rates starting at just 4.99%. In addition, most lenders take into consideration more factors than just the credit score during their approval process. Home improvement loans can be used for just about anything including landscaping, fencing, pool financing, finishing a basement, replacing a water heater, and more.
You May Like: Usaa Auto Refinance Calculator
Types Of Loans For Home Improvements
There are several options for those who would like to renovate their homes:
Secured and unsecured personal loans
For small renovations, personal loans are one alternative. The advantage is that funding is faster. There are fewer personal loan stages than is the case with a mortgage. However, the interest rates are typically higher, and you repay the loan over a shorter term.
HELOC loans
This type of loan allows you to borrow the maximum amount of money. You may draw the money down as you need it, allowing you to manage the interest that you pay more effectively. Your home serves as the collateral. Youll typically need to sign up for an automatic withdraw from your bank account for payments.
Home Equity Loans
These are similar to HELOC loans in that you borrow against the equity in your home. The primary difference is that the funds are paid out in one lump sum. Youre not able to draw down on the money youve repaid.
Cash-out Refinance
This type of loan replaces your existing mortgage, any liens, and expenses. Youll apply for this sort of loan from lenders when the costs equal more than the transaction as a whole.
Credit Cards
The revolving credit facility makes credit cards more expensive than other forms of renovation financing because you may draw down on the capital over time. However, if youre able to secure a low-interest option, secured credit cards on the market provide easy and quick access to financing.
Rehab Loans
Home Renovation Loans Vs Other Financing Options
Just because youre light on equity in your home, that doesnt mean you should be fooled into borrowing using finance products that arent specifically suited for home renovations.
The right loan types do exist, you just need to know which is best-suited to your situation.
So heres a look at how home renovation loans stack up against the other financial products you may be considering:
Donât Miss: Transferring An Auto Loan
Recommended Reading: Fha Loans In Illinois
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.
How Hard Is It To Get A Renovation Loan
Renovation loans open more doors
It requires a minimum credit score of 500 with a down payment of at least 10% a credit score of 580 or higher allows a down payment of 3.5%. These loans cant be used for work that the FHA deems a luxury, such as installing a swimming pool. It requires a minimum credit score of 620.
Read Also: Usaa Car Refinance Rates
Home Improvement Financing Options
The type of financing you’ll want to choose for your project has a lot to do with the type and cost of the renovations you are doing. Here are the options that may be available to you at RBC Royal Bank, based on the type of project you are planning:
Financing an Extensive Home Improvement Project
Using your home equity is one of the most cost-effective ways to finance a large, extensive home improvement project. That’s because home equity loans and lines of credit often offer a lower interest rate as compared to other types of loans.
We offer the following solutions:
- Mortgage Refinancing
Refinance your existing mortgage and have up to 30 years to repay.
Making sure you have the right type of financing in place for a major renovation is important, so be sure to talk to an RBC Royal Bank , who can recommend the best solution for your needs.
Financing a Mid-size to Large Home Improvement Project
If you are planning a mid-size to large home improvement project that will cost over $5,000, a line of credit or personal loan could meet your needs:
- RBC Royal Bank Personal Loan
A personal loan could be ideal if you need the funds all at once and want a structured repayment plan.
Not sure which option is right for you? Talk to an RBC Royal Bank , who can recommend the best financing option for your project.
Financing a Small Home Improvement Project
We offer a wide range of , including cash back, rewards, low interest rate and no annual fee cards.
Fannie Mae Homestyle Loan
How They Work:
Fannie Mae homestyle loans are a specific type of construction loan insured by Fannie Mae, a government-sponsored agency. This affiliation with Fannie Mae comes with some pros and cons:
Pros:
- Ability to borrow up to 95% of the future value of your home , though this requires you to pay Private Mortgage Insurance if you go above 80%. As a point of comparison, private banks often limit renovation loans to 80%, and while some will allow you to go to 85% or 90% loan to value, weve never seen any that allow up to 95%.
- Single close means you only sign one set of documents and pay one set of closing costs.
- The standards for a borrower are not as stringent as youll find with the private bank offering, meaning elements like your credit score dont need to be as strong to qualify.
- Ability to spread payment over 30 years.
Cons:
Don’t Miss: Defaulting On Sba Loan
Qualifying For A Fha 203k
One of the most important requirements for an FHA 203k loan is that your home improvements must be completed by a licensed contractor and approved by an FHA appraiser or a HUD consultant. You cannot do the work yourself as a DIY project. Check our full guide on how to get a FHA 203k renovation loan to be sure you have all the facts straight.
Is Using A Personal Loan To Pay For Home Improvements A Good Idea
It depends. Since they are unsecured, home improvement loans often come with higher interest rates than home equity loans and HELOCs. But to use those financing options, youll need to use your home as collateral. Youll also need to have enough equity in your home the difference between how much you owe on your mortgage and what your home is worth. The size of your equity will determine how much you can borrow.
With a home improvement loan, you wont need equity and you dont risk losing your home. But if you do default on your loan, expect a major drop in your credit score and a default notice to possibly stay on your credit record for up to seven years.
Applying for a home improvement loan is often less complicated than applying for other financing types, like home equity loans, especially if you have good credit. In that case, it might be mostly a matter of showing proof of income and employment. Even if you have poor credit, a personal loan still might work. Youll almost certainly get the best interest rates with good to excellent credit, but some lenders may still offer you a loan if you have a good job history and use credit responsibly.
Recommended Reading: Va Loan For Land And Manufactured Home
Fannie Mae Homestyle Renovation Loan
Fannie Mae HomeStyle renovation loans allow you to borrow up to 97% of the cost of your fixer-upper project, leaving you with a low 3% down payment. The amount you can borrow is based on either the cost of the renovation or the expected value of the home after the renovation, whichever is lower. These loans can be used for a wide range of projects, from critical repairs and energy upgrades to landscaping and luxury projects.
Things you should know
In most cases, youll need to choose a general contractor for the renovation, and fully plan out all of the work to be done before closing on the loan. However, you can do some of the work yourself, provided it doesnt amount to more than 10% of the propertys value.
Youll need a minimum 620 credit score to qualify. HomeStyle renovation loans are available as 30- or 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, or as an adjustable-rate mortgage .
Home Equity Loans And Home Equity Lines Of Credit
Home equity loans and HELOCs both allow you to borrow money based on any equity you have in your home. The amount can also vary based on your income, credit and other factors.
If you get a home equity loan or HELOC, your house becomes collateral. You may get a lower rate with this type of secured financing than you would with an unsecured personal loan. But you also may pay more fees because you may have to pay for closing costs just like you did when you got the original mortgage.
And if you default on your loan, the lender may foreclose on your house to recoup the money you owe. Before getting a home equity loan or HELOC, make sure you can repay the loan on time since you risk losing your home with this type of borrowing.
You May Like: Chfa Loan Colorado
How Can I Get A Home Improvement Loan
Shop around for a lender, and once youve decided on who youll want to apply with, have these documents and information ready.
Most mortgage lenders will require this information, and some will require more. Make sure you ask what is needed of you to qualify for the loan.
- Proof of income
- How much you want to borrow
- Your renovation/home improvement plan
Considering The Purpose Of Your Project
If youre looking to upgrade your house in order to make it more homely, then a simple unsecured loan, altogether separate from the home itself, may be the best option for your family and finances. Adding new paint, upgrading the kitchen, or buying artwork from Paint Loose to invigorate the energy of your home can all be done without a major raising of capital. In this case, a personal loan is probably the best option.
Painting the home in color is a great way to upgrade the entire space. As well, a new coat of paint is an essential place to begin when considering improvements to investment properties as well. Many prospective tenants or buyers will be turned off by an old-style living room or a dated coat of paint in the bath. In fact, keeping your walls up to date with the latest color and style trends can add thousands of dollars to the value of the home without any additional work beyond a weekend and a paint roller.
In your own home, adding original canvases from a professional artist is a great way to liven up a dull wall while adding a statement piece that can be shown off while hosting friends and family during the holidays or weekends.
Read Also: California Mortgage Loan Originator License
