Thursday, April 24, 2008

Home Improvement Loan

Home improvement loans are home loans used to finance improvements on your house or property. These loans are used to maintain or increase the value of your home. This can include repairs, a new kitchen, a new bathroom, an extension or general property improvements. Landscape improvements and swimming pools can also in many cases be considered home improvement. Generally, all actions that can be considered to increase the value of the property in such a way that it increases the expected sales value of the home or the property are to be considered home improvements.

Questions to ask yourself when evaluating your home improvement loan options
  • Are the improvements you plan to undertake increasing the value of your home more than the loan you apply for?
  • What will the monthly payments be?
  • What are the tax implications? Possible tax deductions?

First mortgage loans

Typically home improvement loans are given against your first mortgage by your current lender. Discuss the terms and conditions with the lender you already have, but be sure to get other quotes and to make a detailed comparison of your different options. Most commonly the loan is extended for the remaining period of the original mortgage, but you will have to discuss the terms in detail with your mortgage lender. Home improvement loans are usually paid out in payments in proportion to the work that is being carried out and the contractor may be paid directly from the lender. In other cases the borrower may receive the money or the loan only upon proving the payments to the contractor.

Second loans

You may have substantial equity in your home that you can tap, but you should evaluate and compare the different alternatives in detail.

No comments: