When Do You Need A Home Improvement Loan?

HomeHome Improvement

  • Author Gilbert Hernandez
  • Published April 3, 2008
  • Word count 440

Remodeling areas of your home that are beginning to look dated is always a good idea but money is often the issue that needs to be addressed. this is the purpose of a home improvement loan. Very few people want to attempt many of these home improvements themselves so tradesmen such as electricians, plumbers and carpenters will need to be employed.

Almost all homeowners are able to arrange a home improvement loan but some may decide voluntarily, or be forced, to have the loan secured on their home or other valuable possession. When a homeowner has only just purchase the home, they are still able to arrange a loan, subject to their status of course. Finance organized to improve a home is normally arranged to run for up to fifteen years when equity is not required.

However, one stipulation for a zero equity finance arrangement is that the combined income of the owners reaches a specified limit but it must not be greater than the limit imposed by the county where they live. Whilst the lenders do not hand over the money without making some checks first about the property and the applicant, these are just to provide some security for the lender as these loans are processed quite quickly.

The difference with a secured home improvement loan means the value of the property is taken into account so when there is spare equity, the loan is basically taken out of this. The upside to this type of secured loan is it's available at more favorable rates of interest but is not arranged as a second mortgage on the property.

This is not an open ended finance agreement and a valuation of your property will be required for a secured loan to be arranged. This calculation is worked out using how much your home is worth, how much is owed, and of course if there are other loans or debts, as these will be included in the calculation.

After this has taken place, the lenders will put a package forward which may not necessarily be for the full amount the homeowner wanted. Whilst most loans are based on a set percentage of the property's value, some lenders will agree to fund up to one hundred and twenty five percent of the valuation.

Because you are lending money against your home, it is important that you borrow carefully and you do not overextend yourself or you will be putting your house at risk. When planning your remodeling project do not forget that your home improvement loan should initially be used to carry out essential repairs before being allocated to other projects.

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