Home renovations: A guide to understanding home improvement loan calculators
You’ve put together a list of the home improvements you would like to pursue. It’s now time to calculate the costs and figure out financing. Interested in a home improvement loan? Using a home improvement loan calculator works to your best interest. Here’s how:
What are home renovation loans?
Home improvement loans are specifically utilized for home improvement projects. These loans are unsecured and perfect for smaller projects like upgrading your bathroom. Home equity loans, by contrast, are secured and are typically used for larger projects, such as adding on an additional room.
Using a home improvement loan calculator
A home improvement loan calculator is simple to use. You enter the amount you would like to borrow, along with the potential loan duration and interest rate. Then, you enter the percentage of the application fee.
Once you enter these items of information, it will give your loan results in a table. This table will indicate the cost required to pay off the loan, monthly payment, APR and interest.
Home improvement loan calculator results
The results of the calculator reveal some important aspects of your financing. It calculates your monthly payment and the amount of interest you have to pay over the duration of the loan. This interest rate is based on a number of factors including credit score, loan term and loan amount.
How to get a home improvement loan
Before applying for a home improvement loan, consider the cost of the project you wish to start. If the project is larger, a home equity line of credit can be a great option. This particular loan allows for you to borrow up to 85% of your home’s total worth. If your project is smaller, a Title I home improvement loan may be a better fit. Speak with a lender to learn more.
Home improvement projects can be a challenge, but the right tools can help them go smoothly. Using a home improvement calculator and having the right lender on your side is key.
About the Author
Judy Szablak
With over 30 years in the industry, Realtor Judy Szablak has been on national television for her real estate expertise on the HGTV Network, featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio "Morning Living” , NPR radio as an expert real estate panelist, It’s Relevant News channel, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal for her in depth knowledge of Fairfield County Connecticut real estate.
She was also on the local NPR radio station (WSHU) as a Fairfield County CT real estate expert. Judy has provided multiple online respected news sources with her real estate expertise including The Daily Easton, The Daily Weston, The Daily Fairfield, The Daily Stamford and The Daily Greenwich, as well as in print in the New York Post. She is a weekly Real Estate Columnist for WestportNow.com, another real estate column "Real Estate With Judy” is syndicated through Hearst CT Media Online and seen in The Connecticut Post, The Danbury News-Times, The Stamford Advocate, The Greenwich Time, The Hour, Fairfield Citizen, Westport News, Darien News, New Canaan News and the Wilton Villager.
Judy is also the author of the book, The Art of Buying or Selling a Home, available at all major book retailers. Additionally, Judy has been nationally recognized in a number of national real estate trade magazines, some with distribution to over 1 million members. She was featured in Real Estate Today as early as 1994 for her commitment to, and implementation of technology in real estate. Judy appeared in the Certified Residential Specialist Magazine, as she provided advice on marketing strategies and ethics in the article titled "Marketing Makeovers.”
Judy was also featured in REALTOR® Magazine, regarding image enhancement for Realtors. She was again featured in REALTOR® Magazine, in an article on "Achieving Flow” and operating at optimal peak performance. In another article in the same publication, Judy offered guidance to fellow real estate professionals as she explored the topic of implementing and maintaining personal websites. She has appeared in The Council of Residential Specialists Magazine, which featured her ideas regarding technology. Additionally, Judy authored an article on marketing and technology for the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Online Magazine. On two occasions, in 2015 and 2017, she appeared as a featured agent in Top Agent Magazine. I have a few other websites- www.TheCtrealtyBlog.com www.CtHomesAndRealEstate.com www.BestWestportHomes.com www.ThePetitePowerhouse.com www,SzablakConsulting.com
