Brainy Loans
Getting a personal loan for home improvement could be wise.
Home improvement is desired among homeowners and about 91% of homeowners mentioned they needed some kind of home repair. When paying for such upgrades there are many lending options available and should be looked over to make sure it’s the right choice for you.
While it’s tempting to use a home equity loan or line of credit to pay for the repairs, there are a few other options to consider such as a personal loan. To find out if a personal loan for home improvement is the wise choice you need to consider a few things such as the cost of the repair, your home equity, and your comfort level for borrowing unsecured assets.
Another consideration would be the terms of the loan, and by carefully looking over your options you will be able to determine if the personal loan would be the right choice for you.
Brainy Loans
What exactly is a loan for home improvement?
A home improvement loan will be a type of loan that is intended to pay for home improvement projects. This could include installing new floors, bathrooms, rooms, solar, and anything related to your home improvements.
The loan usually will come either secured or unsecured. With a secured loan, borrowers are required to put up collateral such as any assets they have and the unsecured loan will not require collateral and will have much stricter approval criteria.
Home improvement loans will typically have fixed rates which meant that the borrower will have the same interest and payment through the loan. Home improvement loans are usually approved on factors such as credit score, income, job history, and the value of the home.
Once the borrower is approved the funds are given in a lump sum and can be used for any home improvement projects. There are many places where you can receive home improvement loans such as banks, credit unions, and online lends.
It’s super important to compare the loan options and choose the one that’s right for you.
Brainy Loans
Is it wise to use a personal loan for home improvements?
Using a personal loan for home improvement, it’s important to evaluate the financial benefits and drawbacks of this type of loan. Personal loans will offer several advantages such as fixed rates, and shorter repayment periods, helping you pay off the loan faster to avoid paying extra interest.
Personal loans are designed to make them more accessible for borrowers with any range of credit scores, which makes them a good option for individuals not able to qualify for home equity loans. Furthermore, personal loans are unsecured which helps you avoid putting up collaterals such as your home.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of personal loans for home improvements.
Advantages of using a personal loan for home improvements. | Disadvantages of using a personal loan for home improvements. |
Fast funding: Personal loans will typically get funded quickly even as fast as the same day. | High-Interest rates: Personal loans generally have higher interest rates because there is no collateral backing the loan. |
Unsecured: Unlike other loans, personal loans are typically unsecured meaning you don’t have to put up any collateral to get approved for them. | Limited amount: Most personal loans have a limit amount, and most lenders offer loans up to $50,000. |
Fixed rates: Personal loans are fixed meaning that the loan will have the same terms throughout the loan. | Fees: Personal loans might have different kinds of fees such as origination fees or prepayment penalties. |
Flexible Terms: Personal loans are really flexible and you can get a loan anywhere from 1-7 years. Helping you achieve your goal. | Risk to credit score: Since the loan is unsecured it’s considered additional debt meaning that you will have a higher debt-to-income ratio hurting your credit score. |
Brainy Loans
Tips for obtaining the best rates on home improvement loans
If you planning on using a personal loan from home improvement, taking steps to save money is crucial. One important factor is the state of the lending market.
For personal loans, interest rates can range quite a bit so always compare it to other loan products to choose the right option for you. To increase your chances and get the best terms you should implement these strategies:
Shop around for the best deal: You can know what the best deal is if you don’t compare it. By shopping around you are able to get offers from different lenders and choose the best deal for your situation.
Be sure to not only use interest to compare your options but understand all the fees associated with the loan.
Increase your credit: It’s not a secret having a good credit score will help you qualify for a good loan and get the best terms. Before applying for a loan be sure to check your credit score and take steps to increase it.
Consider a secure loan: If you’re not getting the terms your looking for be sure to consider getting a secured loan. Secured loans will usually come with lower rates because of the extra safety net for the lender.
Secured loans will require some kind of collateral anything from cars, property, and things of value. When choosing a secured loan you should understand that in case the loan defaults, the lender might confiscate your collateral to sell it and recoup their cost.
Brainy Loans
Steps to getting a home improvement loan
If your looking to obtain a home improvement loan here are some of the steps you should take:
- Determine your financing needs: Understand how much money you need to complete your home improvement project. This will help you find the loan that will be perfect for your situation. For example, if your project is small you should get a personal loan, but if you’re looking for a large renovation you should consider other cheaper options.
- Check your credit score: Before applying for any loan it is important to understand what your credit is looking like. Be sure to pull up your credit report and get a full understanding of what’s on it. Then take the necessary options to improve any negative information to increase your chances of approval.
- Shop for lenders: Before applying for a loan be sure to compare all the loan options available to you and shop around for the best lenders. Getting multiple lenders to compare with will help you choose the right loan options for your needs and choose the cheapest loan.
- Gather documentation and apply: Once you have selected the right loan and the best lender for yourself it’s time to apply. When applying for a loan lenders will ask you for documentation such as proof of income, employment, tax document, and such. Be sure to have all of your personal information ready for the lender. After you prepared fill out the application and wait for the answer.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the accuracy and currency of our information. However, the information presented may differ from what you find when you visit a financial institution, service provider, or product site. We do not provide warranties for any financial products, shopping products, or services. When reviewing offers, please carefully read the terms and conditions of the financial institution. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. If you notice any discrepancies in your credit score or report, please contact TransUnion® directly. Our partners compensate us for featuring their products on our site, and this may affect the products we write about and their placement on the page. However, this does not influence our evaluations, and our opinions remain independent.
