3 Financing Options for Home Improvement Projects

Kat Tretina

Updated On: March 18, 2022  •  3 Minute Read

Financial Tips

Whether you are dreaming of remodeling a bathroom or forced into a project because something is simply broken, home improvement projects are a part of home ownership. Home improvement projects can improve the look of your home, boost its usability, and even increase its resale value. While it would be best to pay for those repairs or renovations with money from your savings account, most people don’t have enough money tucked away to cover the cost. That’s when home improvement loans can be a wise solution.

3 Home Improvement Loan Options

Home improvement loans can be a smart way to pay for your renovations. There are three main types you should know about:

1. Title 1 home improvement loans

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) operates the Title 1 home improvement loan program. With a Title 1 loan, you take out a loan from a bank or credit union, and the FHA guarantees a portion of the loan. Because Title 1 loans are backed by the FHA, there’s less risk to the lender, so they’re more willing to issue you a loan and give you a low interest rate.

You can borrow up to $25,000 to improve a single-family home and you can have up to 25 years to pay it back. You can use the money to make your home more livable or useful, such as adding appliances, installing a new bathroom, or improving its accessibility for those with disabilities.

To qualify for a Title 1 home improvement loan, you need to own the home or have a long-term lease and you must have a debt-to-income ratio of 45% or less. Visit HUD.gov to find an approved Title 1 lender in your area.

2. Home equity loans

With a home equity loan, you work with a bank or credit union to borrow against your home’s equity — the difference between your house’s current value and what you’ve paid so far toward the mortgage.

For example, if your home is worth $300,000 and your mortgage balance is $250,000, your home’s equity is $50,000. If your home’s value goes up, your equity increases as well.

Depending on the lender, you can borrow up to 80 percent of your home’s equity. If your house’s equity was $50,000, that means you could borrow up to $40,000. Use our home equity calculator to find out how much you can borrow.

Your home serves as collateral on the loan, so you can often qualify for a loan with a low interest rate. However, you should be cautious; if you fall behind on your payments, the lender can foreclose on you, and you risk losing your home.

3. Personal loans

Another option to pay for home improvements is to take out a personal loan. Unlike Title 1 improvement and home equity loans, which can take weeks or even months to process, personal loans allow you to get the money you need within two business days. And, personal loans are unsecured, so you don’t have to put up your home as collateral.

Depending on the lender, you could borrow up to $100,000 to pay for repairs and renovations and have up to seven years to repay it.

Lenders will review your credit score and income to decide whether or not to issue you a loan and to determine your interest rate. If you have good credit and a stable income, you could qualify for a loan with a low interest rate, making it an affordable financing option for home improvements.

Renovating Your Home

Home improvement projects can make you fall in love with your house again, and can boost its resale value. By exploring your different financing options, you can pick a loan that works best for your needs and your budget.

If you decide that a personal loan is right for you, check out the best lenders of 2020.