Ron Matin
Renovating a home can be an exciting prospect, with mountains of ideas piling up, decorations, furniture and more, it is a hefty task. It may seem like a great project, but it can also be a daunting one.
To help homeowners get over this issue, within this blog, we’ll discuss the main challenge. This of which is financing, when home renovating. You’ll learn and find ways to finance home renovations, as well as some unique ideas.
Personal Loans, a popular choice for home renovations
To begin with, let’s start with personal loans. If you’re in the market looking for a way to finance your home renovations that don’t require collateral, personal loans might be a good option for you. (Collateral in simple terms is when you have to give something for security reasons).
In this case, collateral will often happen with banks and investors as a form of showing you’re going to pay back, and if not; they get to keep the “something”. It’s a form of security & reliability, but often many don’t want it. Going back to personal loans, for those who don’t know, simply put they’re unsecured loans that can be used for a variety of purposes. This of, includes home renovations which is our point for this blog.
Depending on your bank, credit score, income, and more t interest rates may vary. In most scenarios no matter who you are, they’re often lower than credit card interest rates.
Pros
- No collateral is needed at all
- Flexible repayment terms
- Lower interest rates than credit cards (mostly)
Cons
- Interest rates can still be high for those with poor credit scores
- Approval is not guaranteed
- Borrowing limits may be lower than other options
Home equity loans
Another option for financing home renovations is through a home equity loan. A home equity loan is a type of loan that allows you to borrow against the equity in your home.
Buying a home in recent times has become a struggle for few, and it’s important to know when doing something such as renovating to know the effects of it. Not to mention, comparing, details, budgets, and more. The interest rates on home equity loans are commonly lower than personal loan interest rates, but they can be higher than mortgage interest rates.
Pros
- Lower interest rates than personal loans
- Larger borrowing limits than personal loans
- Interest paid may be tax-deductible
Cons
- Requires collateral (your home)
- May take longer to get approved than personal loans
- Defaulting on the loan could result in foreclosure
Mortgage refinancing
In most scenarios, if a person has a mortgage on their home, they may be able to refinance it to get the funds they need for their home renovations. However, when doing this you need to understand all perspectives. When you/a person refinances their mortgage, they replace their existing mortgage with a brand new one.
The new mortgage is bigger than the previous existing one, you’re free to use the extra funds for home renovations.
Pros
- Lower interest rates compared to personal loans & credit cards
- A increased borrowing limits than personal loans & credit cards
- The interest paid may be tax-deductible
Cons
- Requires collateral ( aka your own home)
- May take a longer time to get approval compared to personal loans and credit cards.
- Refinancing fees and closing costs may be high
Credit Cards, risky and convenient
Credit cards are another option open for people in the market for financing home renovations. However, alongside caution, with credit card be sure and extra cautious.
Credit card interest rates are generally much higher than personal loan or home equity loan interest rates, so if you choose to use a credit card to finance your home renovations, be sure to pay off the balance as soon as possible.
Pros
- Convenient and accepted massively throughout the world
- Depending on the brand & type, they may offer rewards or cashback on purchases
- No collateral at all required
Cons
- High-interest rates in general
- Borrowing limits may be lower than other options, which may lead to issues
- Can quickly add up to high levels of debt if not paid off as soon as possible
Thinking outside the box
If traditional financing options aren’t working for you, there are a number of alternative financing options to consider. These include:
- Peer-to-peer lending: Borrow money from individuals or groups instead of banks
- 401(k) loans: Borrow from your retirement savings
- Crowdfunding: Raise funds through online platforms
- Home renovation grants: Apply for grants to fund your renovations
Pros
- Can provide funding when other options fall short
- Some options may have lower interest rates than traditional financing
Cons
- May have strict eligibility requirements
- Some options may have higher interest rates than traditional financing
- May require more effort and time than traditional financing
Conclusion
Financing home renovations may be a challenge, but with a variety of options available to homeowners, there is one for you. However, it’s always important to consider all the possible interest rates, repayment terms, and eligibility requirements before making a final decision. Take this blog as a help, and go forth to find your preferred space within financing, and which one suits you the most.