In today’s economy, equity may be more of a fairytale than an attainable reality for most homeowners. Home equity is the value of your home less any mortgage or loan balances on the property. If you don’t have much equity in your home, it could make getting financing for renovations or other improvements an uphill battle. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get those updates and upgrades you desire. There are many ways to fund home improvements without equity. Here are some ideas to get started: If you have access to friends and family for a personal loan with favourable terms, that is a good place to start looking for funding for a home improvement blog. However, not everyone has that kind of support network available. Alternative options include:
Home Equity Loans
A home equity loan is a loan secured by your home. While many homeowners rely on home equity loans to fund home improvements, they are not the best choice. Home equity loans are typically offered at a higher interest rate than unsecured personal loans, which can make them costlier to repay. You may also be charged points by your lender, which is a one-time interest charge assessed as a percentage of the total loan amount. These are not fees but are added to your total loan amount.
If you use a home equity loan to fund home improvements, you will have to repay the loan from your cash flow. If the value of your home falls below the amount you borrowed, you may be at risk of foreclosure. Many lenders will allow you to take out a home equity loan on the property’s current value, but that doesn’t mean it’s a wise decision. When you use home equity financing to pay for improvements, you are decreasing the future value of your home. This could make it more difficult for you to sell the property in the future.
Home Improvement Grants
Many municipalities distribute grants to fund home improvements. The catch is that the improvements must be in line with the community’s priorities. Before starting the application process, determine if the project you want to do is the type of project that would be favoured. If the project you want to fund with the grant is approved, you will receive the money in one lump sum. You then have one year to spend the money on the improvements. This way, the grant administrator can be sure the money is going towards its intended purpose.
Personal Loans
A personal loan is a loan against your assets, such as your savings, retirement account or credit card. You can also approach a family member or a close friend for the money. Personal loans have low or no interest rates and typically have a shorter repayment period. Many lenders will allow you to repay the loan over a longer period if needed. Personal loans have high-interest rates and can quickly become more costly than expected. If you tap into savings or a retirement account, that money cannot be easily replaced. Credit card debt has high-interest rates and can quickly become unmanageable.
Renovation Loans
Many home improvement lenders will offer you a loan solely for the renovations of your home. This kind of loan is known as a renovation loan. Renovation loans are typically unsecured loans offered at a higher rate than traditional mortgages. When applying for a renovation loan, you will need a completed budget and the list of contractors you will be hiring. The lender will also want to know that you have the funds to pay the contractors when the work is completed.
Conclusion
Home improvements can add value to your home, improve your quality of life and save you money on utility bills. You don’t need cash equity in your home to make those improvements a reality. Before you start the renovation process, make a plan. That way, you can be sure you are putting your money to the best use for your situation. If you have any concerns about financing the needed renovation work, talk to your lender. They may be able to help you figure out which options are available for your situation.
