What Type of Loan is Best for Home Improvements?

Key Benefits of The Different Types Of Home Improvement Loans

• A home improvement loan will increase the functionality of your home. Your guests will not suffocate in a cramped space as a home addition will increase the space beautifully.
• An energy-efficient project will increase the market value of your home.
• Homeowners can enhance the thermal performance of their homes by adding insulation and double-paned glass. Insulations will also ensure the safety of your home since it eliminates the amount of heat and greenhouse gas emissions.

Best Type of Loan for Home Improvements

The best type of loan for home improvements will not make a homeowner bankrupt and lead their property to foreclosure. Here are a few types, check below to choose the best option for your home improvements.

1. Unsecured Personal Loans

Borrowing a personal loan for a home improvement project is a good idea if you don’t want to make your home collateral. An unsecured personal loan doesn’t ask for equity percentage and will not make your home as collateral. In this financing option, a homeowner should fulfill a few requirements to borrow the loan amount.

An unsecured loan provides easy access to the funds without making the borrowers complete a lot of steps. This type of loan is best for all types of renovations such as minor, major, and emergency repairs. If you are doing emergency repairs for your home, an unsecured personal loan is a suitable option since it gets approved quickly.

Pros

• You don’t have to secure your funds with the assets.
• Homeowners will get approved for the funds quickly without any additional requirements.
• There is no risk of foreclosure since you are not making the property as collateral.
• This financing option is also a multi-purpose loan. You can use this unsecured home improvement loan for every type of renovation such as painting your home and adding luxury items.
• Personal loans have lower closing costs and origination fees.
• The personal loan rates are fixed.

Cons

• Some lenders ask for excellent credit scores for borrowing unsecured personal loans. You should check the requirements of loan lenders carefully if your credit score has taken a hit.
• If you have an unstable job, this financing option will not be a suitable option for you. Income verification is one of the mandatory processes in borrowing an unsecured personal loan.

2. Home Equity Loans

Home equity loans and home equity line of credit are the type of loans secured by a second mortgage. The main difference between a home equity loan and a line of credit is that: Home equity loan is secured by collateral and a home equity line of credit allows homeowners to borrow a loan against that credit line. If you have a good equity percentage and credit history, you can apply for both home equity loans and a line of credit.

Pros

• A homeowner can borrow a lump sum in equity loans.
• Home equity loans are tax-deductible and have tax benefits for the homeowners.
• Home equity loans also benefit lenders. If a borrower fails to pay the loan amount, the lender can take over their property.

Cons

• Homeowners have the risk of losing their homes in the home equity loan.
• Home equity line of credit has variable interest rates and an increase in interest rate will affect the homeowners’ budget.
• Facing bankruptcy is the disadvantage that makes homeowners reluctant to borrow equity loans.
• Borrowing a lump sum more than the value of your home is not a good idea in equity loans.
• If you have poor credit, this financing option is not a good option for you.

3. Cash-out Refinancing

Cash-out refinance is another financing option that requires an equity percentage. To do home improvement projects, a homeowner should take a cash-out loan. Homeowners will replace the old mortgage with an extra amount.

In this financing option, a homeowner should refinance their mortgage with a larger amount by taking the difference value in cash. The loan lender will approve the amount by considering the following standards: Credit history, LTV (Loan to Value Ratio), and income sources of a borrower.

Pros

• Homeowners will get tax-free cash if they borrow the amount from this financing option.
• Borrowers will get potentially lower interest rates in the cash-out refinance option.

Cons

• Homeowners have to borrow the amount within the new loan terms.
• You should have a good credit score to borrow the amount from this financing option. The minimum credit score requirement is above 620.
• Cash-out refinance has some equity percentage requirements. The minimum equity percentage that you should leave out is around 15% to 20%.
• Homeowners’ debts will get reduced from their gross income. The DTI(Debt to Income Ratio) is mandatory to borrow loans from this financing option.

4. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Loans

FHA loans are for homeowners who want to borrow the loan amount for the minimum requirements. The monthly payments in the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) are low compared to the above financing options.

The fixed monthly payments and no minimum credit score requirements in the FHA loans will benefit homeowners in various ways who have low income and bad credit.

Pros

• Low-income homeowners can opt for this loan.
• If you don’t have an equity percentage, FHA loans will be a suitable option for you since it doesn’t make your home collateral.
• The interest rates in the FHA loans are lower compared to the secured and unsecured home improvement loans.

Cons

• The FHA loans have geographical limitations. If you borrow a loan amount for one state, you cannot use it in another state.
• The home improvements should enhance the living space and must be energy-efficient improvements. Homeowners cannot add luxury items with FHA loans.
• If you are borrowing less than $7,500, you can borrow unsecured loans.
• HUD Counseling agency decides whether Federal Housing Administration loans are suitable for you or not. The approval process might take some time.

What is the Cheapest Way to Borrow Money for Home Improvements?

By considering the requirements and limitations of equity loans and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, unsecured personal loans have very few requirements.

Personal loans are the best and cheapest option for home improvements. This financing option doesn’t have foreclosure risks and provides your loan amount with low-interest rates. Personal loans also have a lower origination fee, closing costs, and no prepayment penalties.

Which is the Best loan type for Home Improvements?

Again personal loan is the winner compared to the loan options mentioned above. The unsecured personal loan option is a better option compared to the secured loans for home improvements.

However, a homeowner should check the requirements of every personal loan lender. Because most lenders offer loan amounts for a good credit score and history. TGUC Financial offers personal loans for home improvements with a low credit score and no equity percentage. You can eliminate all the risks with a personal home improvement loan.

Latest Posts

• What Type of Loan is Best for Home Improvements?
• First-Time Homeowners loan Arkansas – 2022
• Arkansas Home Loan Protection Act: 2022 Guide
• Home Improvement Tax Deduction & Credits
• 10 Best Home Improvement Loan Rates

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all home improvement loans tax deductible?

Yes, the loan amount you are paying for the home improvement projects is tax-deductible.

Can we add luxury items with the home improvement loans?

Not all home improvement loans allow homeowners to add luxury items to their homes. Some home improvement loans like FHA loans are only for energy-efficient home improvements.

What are the common renovations under the home improvement loans?

Kitchen addition, bathroom extension, garage extension, and roof remodeling are some common renovations under home improvement loans.