Pros and cons of home improvement loans
How they compare with a home improvement loan: A home equity loan might be significantly less expensive if you have enough equity in your home, few other debts and an especially big project to fund. A HELOC might offer a more flexible way to regularly pay for home renovation costs, especially if you don’t know exactly how much you’ll need in the end. Consider a home improvement loan for less expensive jobs. That’s because both home equity loans and HELOCS often come with minimum loan amounts, like $10,000 for HELOCS, or $25,000 for a home equity loan.
FHA Title 1 Loans
A FHA Title 1 loan is a home renovation loan that’s issued by a bank or other lender but which is insured by the Federal Housing Administration. You can use it for any project that makes your property more livable or energy efficient, as long as the upgrade is a permanent part of your home and isn’t a luxury item. That means replacing a plumbing system or a built-in appliance will probably qualify, but not installing a swimming pool or outdoor fireplace. For small loans ($7,500 or less), you won’t need to put up collateral.
To qualify for an FHA Title 1 loan, you won’t need a minimum income or credit score, but a lender will look at any outstanding debts you have, your payment history and whether your income is large enough to pay off the loan. To find an approved lender, check this page on the HUD website .
How it compares with a home improvement loan: Because of the federal guaranty, lenders generally offer lower interest rates for FHA Title 1 loans than on home improvement loans, and the rates are similar to those for home equity loans. You might find it easier to qualify for this type of loan than for a personal loan, but for single-family homes, FHA Title 1 loans are capped at $25,000. If you think your home improvement will be extensive – and are looking at more than basic upgrades – a personal loan might serve you better. Continue Reading Pros and cons of home improvement loans