Best and Most Cost-Effective Ways to Pay for Home Improvements

by Jackie Davis 04/21/2024

While qualified borrowers often like to have choices, having too many funding options can get confusing. If you are considering borrowing money to upgrade your home, here are a few things to consider.

How Do Home Improvement Loans Work?

It’s essential to understand that the term “home improvement loan” is not precise. This type of borrowing typically involves packages that range from traditional loans to lines of credit. What these sometimes vastly different opportunities have in common is they are used to make property upgrades. This may include emergency roof repairs to transforming a home into an open floor plan.

So-called home improvement loans can be broken into two categories — secured and unsecured. Secured loans involve those borrowers leverage collateral to secure. Unsecured loans, as you might suspect, are offered without collateral. It’s not uncommon for unsecured products to charge higher interest because the lender takes increased risk.

What Are The Best Home Improvement Loans?

Each type of home improvement product offers a different structure for qualified borrowers. The terms and availability of home improvement loans are largely driven by items such as credit scores, equity and debt-to-income ratios, among others. The following highlights how the commonly secured home improvement loans work.

HELOC: A Home Equity Line of Credit ranks among the preferred secured loans. Based on the equity property owners have built up, the secured amount can be employed. Borrowers use the loan option much like a credit card and withdraw funds as needed. This proves cost-effective because homeowners can take out only the funds they require and typically enjoy flexible repayment options.
Home Equity Loan: Sometimes referred to as a “second mortgage,” this option provides a lump sum to make upgrades. Often used to remodel a home, these secured products rank among the low-interest options available to qualified homeowners.
Credit Cards: Unsecured funding options usually come with higher interest rates because lenders take a greater risk if a default occurs. Although employing a credit card or similar unsecured option can result in paying excessive fees, fast repayment can minimize cost. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to apply for these lines of credit from retailers that sell building materials. Many offer zero interest for a set number of months. If you can meet those terms, credit cards can function just like cash.

Homeowners would be well-served to consider interest rates, fees and repayment terms when selecting a home improvement loan. Perhaps the key involves choosing an option that cost-effectively fits your needs.

About the Author

Jackie Davis

Welcome to Jackie Davis and Company. If you have navigated this far, we thank you and would like to share how we differ from other teams and agents. We work tirelessly and are committed to providing 100% customer satisfaction. We recognize, listen, value, and appreciate your goals as you move towards listing or selling your home. As Listing Agents we continuously integrate new and advanced technology to promote your biggest asset. Our strong negotiation skills are invaluable for getting you the best price for your home. As the Buyer's Agent we pride ourselves on being fully educated in our local markets. While focusing on integrity and honesty we will provide you with the highest level of professionalism and analysis. We are proud that this hard work has earned us recognition as top 1% both company and state wide in the industry. Achievements * 1st Quarter 2017 Leading Sales in Fairfield * 2017 February Leading Sales Team * 2017 March Leading Sales Team * Chairman's Elite representing the Top 1% Agent at William Raveis Nationwide & Fairfield County * Over $45 million Listed & Sold in 2016 * Over $30 million Listed & Sold in 2015 * 99% List to Sales Ratio (higher than market average) * 75 Average Days on Market (less than market average) * Jackie Davis Promoted to Sales Vice President 2016 * Raveis Award of Excellence every year * Exceptional Customer Service Award every year * Top Units Sold Team October 2016 * Top Customer Service October 2016 * Top Mortgage Support September 2016 * Top Selling Team January 2016 * Top Mortgage Support August 2015 * Top Selling Team Feb 2014 * Top Producing Team Jan 2014 * Top Selling Team Dec 2013 * Top Selling Team Nov 2013 * Top Producing Team Nov 2013 Professional Specialty Innovative Marketing and Technology equals proven sales. Our team of licensed professionals is ready to serve. We handle: Sellers & Buyers Exceptional Properties Investors Waterfront & Beach Area Homes Country & Equestrian Properties New Construction & Land Relocation Professional Association National Association of Realtors Connecticut Association of Realtors Greater Fairfield Board of Realtors Consolidated Multiple Listing Service Community Involvement PTA committee member for past 14 years from elementary through high school PTA Board Member for 4 years Shoff Darby Advisory Scholarship Board member past 5 years Committee member for Cancer Care of Norwalk past 10 years Volunteer Habitat for Humanity Operation Hope coordinator for elementary and middle schools, last 3 years Volunteer for a variety of town sports teams, that my daughters participate in The County Assemblies Board Member The b-Cause Foundation Board Member- a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate children to recognize neighbors in need in our local community. Wakeman Boys & Girls Club- Fundraising Committee Member Committee Member for Cancer Couch Fundraiser the Cancer Beat 2016 Near and Far Aid Volunteer Education BA from Merrimack College Personal Fairfield resident for 39 years Currently reside in Fairfield Beach Area Married 27 years Four daughters currently in & have graduated Fairfield Public School system Areas Covered Fairfield Southport Westport Weston Norwalk Trumbull Easton Stratford Shelton Milford Stamford Bridgeport