From minor updates to major rebuilds, there are many types of home renovations and just as many reasons homeowners want to do work. You may want to save energy and reduce your utility bills, you may need to make room for a new addition to the family, or you may want to increase the value of your home. Even if you just want to update the look and feel of your home, renovations can be a costly endeavour. Fortunately, there are also many available options for financing your home renovation.
Still, before you start planning your renovation, you should speak to a financial advisor. Regardless of whether you plan to finance the renovation on your own or you’ll need to borrow money, a financial advisor can review all your options and advise you as to the best way to finance your Renovation. From this stage, you’ll be ready to make a realistic plan and budget for your project. Ideally, your financial advisor will discuss a number of options including your own resources, credit cards, personal loans, lines of credit, home equity loans, and mortgage refinancing.
Personal Resources
Whether you are pursuing small, inexpensive renovation projects or you have considerable savings behind you, you may want to consider funding your project from your personal resources. However, you should still speak to a financial advisor to ensure you have appropriate funding, especially if you are inexperienced with home renovation projects.
Credit Card Funding
Credit cards are a common source of funding for renovation projects because they are easily accessible and the funding is available immediately. For small projects, or minor costs, credit cards may be an appropriate choice but you should be careful to consider your interest rate as many major credit cards come with annual rates in excess of 17%.
Personal Loans
Personal loans have the benefit of regular repayments and a set interest rate for a specified term. Alternatively, you may also be given the option of fixed or variable interest rates depending on the size and term of the loan. Personal loans typically have lower interest rates than credit cards, so with appropriate planning personal loans are a better choice.
Line of Credit
Another way to finance your renovations is a personal line of credit. Many homeowners prefer this option for long-term renovations as you can access funds at any time. Moreover, regular repayments and monthly statements help you track your renovation expenses. While lines of credit usually have lower interest rates than credit cards, they may be higher than those on personal loans.
Home Equity Loans
This type of loan allows you to borrow against your home’s equity. These are typically economical loans that have the best interest rates, but they often require more planning and set-up costs. For example, before being approved for a home equity loan, you will like need to pay legal and appraisal fees.
Mortgage Refinancing
Mortgage refinancing is only an appropriate option when you are undergoing major renovations. This type of financing allows you to spread the repayment for the renovation over the lifetime of your mortgage while also allowing you to access the lowest interest rates. Still, once again there are initial costs that may include legal and appraisal fees.