Home repair projects can be costly and unexpected, making home repair loans a preferred option for covering the cost. If you need some extra funding to cover home improvements or major repairs, you have several options available.
Here is a quick guide to the most common ways to pay for a home repair or home improvement project:
HELOC (Home equity line of credit)
Home equity is a popular option for paying home repair costs. A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, works similarly to a credit card with an approved borrowing limit. Typically, a HELOC has a borrowing period followed by a separate repayment period.
HELOC interest rates have the potential to fluctuate throughout the life of the loan. However, you only have to pay interest on the amount borrowed. Since you’re borrowing against your home’s equity, you’re also using your home as collateral, meaning you run the risk of losing it if you’re unable to make payments.
Personal home improvement loan
Another option for paying your home repair costs is a personal loan. Personal loans are unsecured, so you don’t need to be concerned with collateral. If your repairs are time-sensitive, you can often get an unsecured loan much more quickly than a HELOC or home equity loan. Sometimes you can receive financing as early as the next business day.
Typically, personal loans offer adjustable or fixed interest rates, although personal loans generally have higher interest rates than mortgage loans. However, you can generally expect decent rates as long as you have a good credit history.
Are there alternatives to home repair loans?
If you need financing for a home repair, there are options beyond home equity loans and personal loans. Some other ways to pay include:
- Credit cards with 0% introductory interest rates.
- Personal line of credit.
- Cash-out refinancing.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the right type of financing for your home projects. While home repair loans have their advantages, it’s important to consider all the options available to you.
About the Author
Kimberly Hering
Kimberly Hering's devotion to helping people achieve their real estate goals stems from her genuine enjoyment of the process. Whatever the task, Kimberly makes it her mission to get it done, however she can, without compromising her client's needs. Often, that means thinking outside the box. After working with Kimberly, clients describe her as being Trustworthy, Creative, Patient, Highly Skilled, Attentive to the Process and having a lot of Integrity.
After spending more than 15 successful years working on Wall Street, Kimberly transitioned into Real Estate, joining Alain Pinel Realtors, then moving to Zephyr, now Corcoran Global Living, in 2018. During her career on Wall Street, Kimberly was a Vice President working as an Institutional Equity Salesperson for Montgomery Securities for 10 years. She covered the top money managers throughout the US and Canada. She joined Jefferies & Co as a Senior Vice President managing the Western Region Institutional Sales group, while continuing to cover the top money managers.
Kimberly leverages her extensive experience selling equities to top money managers throughout the US and Canada, to successfully negotiating any Real Estate transaction seamlessly for her clients. Kimberly is well versed in Marin's neighborhoods, towns, cities, and education system.
Living in the Bay Area for 35 years, 25 years in Marin and having 2 sons in local Marin schools, Kimberly spends a lot of time volunteering in the community and serving on various local Boards. Kimberly has a collection of resources ranging from the best local breakfast spots to vetted contractors. With her reliable list of valuable resources, Real Estate experience and unsurpassed knowledge of Marin's many communities, Kimberly can guide her clients through every aspect of a Real Estate transaction seamlessly.
Relocating to Marin, downsizing, upsizing, first time home buying, final home purchase or sale, or a lot to build a dream home, no matter the undertaking, Kimberly works seamlessly until the job at hand is completed with 100% satisfaction.