If you’re considering home improvements, there are a variety of financing options available. You can borrow from a bank, credit union or online lender.
Unsecured home improvement loans are a popular solution for homeowners who lack enough equity in their property to qualify for secured loans. Unfortunately, these can be expensive.
No Collateral Required
If you don’t want to access your equity or put up collateral for a home improvement loan, an unsecured home improvement loan could be the ideal solution. These loans were created after the housing market collapsed ten years ago and offer relatively new solutions.
Tax deductions for interest on these loans are not available, but if the money is put towards a significant home improvement project that adds value, extends its useful life or adapts it for new use, the IRS says that you may qualify for a deduction.
You’ll need good credit to qualify for an unsecured home improvement loan, and the lender will take into account your credit score, income and other factors when making their decision. To guarantee approval and get the best rates possible, pre-qualify with several lenders before applying. WalletHub’s free pre-qualification tool can help assess your chances of approval as well as provide an estimate of likely interest rates you could be offered.
Low Interest Rates
Unsecured home improvement loans usually have lower interest rates than secured ones, making them an attractive option for homeowners who wish to avoid paying high debt service charges. Furthermore, you may be able to deduct the interest paid on these loans from your taxes – making them a cost-effective solution.
If your home does not have enough equity for a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), an unsecured home improvement loan could be your solution. HELOCs are revolving lines with a maximum limit that can be useful for ongoing projects or unexpected expenses.
Banks, credit unions and online lenders all offer unsecured home improvement loans. Since terms and rates differ between lenders, it’s essential to shop around and compare offerings before applying for a loan.
Fast Funding
If you need to finance a major home improvement project, unsecured personal loans may be your ideal solution. These types of loans tend to be easy to qualify for, don’t require collateral and offer faster funding times than other loan products.
Another advantage of an unsecured personal loan is that it doesn’t carry the same high interest rates as secured loans. In fact, those with good credit may qualify for rates as low as 4% on these types of loans.
Unsecured personal loans can be incredibly useful, but be sure to research all available options and select wisely. This is especially important if you plan on completing multiple home improvement projects within a short period of time; making an unwise choice could significantly reduce your borrowing power.
LightStream offers an unsecured loan with low rates and flexible repayment terms for large home improvement projects. They take co-borrowers, too, and the lender can fund your loan within one to three business days.
No Fees
Unsecured home improvement loans are personal loans that don’t require collateral. Lenders assess your creditworthiness and other factors to approve these loans, so the rates you may get may differ based on your financial profile.
Unsecured home improvement loans can be obtained from banks and credit unions as well as several online lenders. Often offered with lower interest rates than home equity loans or lines of credit that use your home as collateral, these unsecured options allow for the improvement of any property without using up all available equity in it.
Unsecured home improvement loans often have lower maximum loan amounts than secured ones, making it difficult to borrow enough money for all projects at once. Furthermore, the interest rate could be much higher than expected, making repaying the loan more challenging if your credit score is poor.