Category: News

Of all the remodels, repairs, and renovations a homeowner can undertake, few are quite as demanding as building a whole new addition. Whether you’re adding a guest bedroom, a second garage, a glass-enclosed sunroom, or something else entirely, additions take a lot of time, work, and money.

Fortunately, at Homeowner Funding we know how to make the most out of all three of those things. As part of the NRIA fund and finance network, we’ve helped thousands of homeowners improve their properties quickly, professionally, and affordably.

Our contractors and consultants know how to stretch a dollar. Want to learn how to do the same? Below, we’ve collected some of the very best tips and tricks homeowners can use to finally build that addition of their dreams, without risking a potential financial nightmare.

Create a Detailed Game Plan, and Then Stick to It

As with most things in life, building an addition is made a lot easier with planning. The more fully thought-out and detailed your plan is, the less likely unforeseen complications are to pop up and mistakes are to be made.

Too often, homeowners begin working on an addition without actually knowing what they want the final product to be. Not only can this lead to all kinds of accidents and plain poor decisions, it can also lead to inconsistency. When it comes to something as involved as home improvements, changing your mind halfway through is one of the worst, most costly missteps a person can make.

Minimize Waste by Planning Around Materials

One strategy worth keeping in mind while you’re devising your game plan is to tweak your ideas to accommodate the materials and fixtures you have rather than hunting down materials and fixtures to fit your ideas. For example, if you have access to an inexpensive kitchen cabinet that’s a little bigger than what you originally envisioned, it might be cheaper to change your vision than to find a different cabinet.

Likewise, you can save yourself a small fortune by planning around scale sizes, rather than relying on custom fabrication. Since drywall is most commonly sold in 4×8 lengths, planning your addition so that its dimensions can be divided into 4×8 sections will allow you to buy the exact amount of materials you need, no more, no less.

Purchase Recycled, Discount, & Bulk Materials

Speaking of materials, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to spend top-dollar to get top-quality. Many homeowners actually overspend when it comes to materials and fixtures, simply because they don’t bother to shop around. There are numerous ways to acquire the materials you need at a fraction of the usual retail price.

Suppliers often offer discounts on “scratch and dent” fixtures and appliances that they can’t sell as “new” despite only showing minor, sometimes barely noticeable damages. Similarly, your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a great place to find used vinyl siding, recycled doors and windows, overstock items, and more. Buying in bulk or at auction can also help drive prices down.

Try DIY-ing the Smaller Home Improvements

As tempting as it can be to hand off the entirety of a home improvement project off to your contract and let them worry about everything, the truth is there are a lot of smaller details that don’t need professional training to do right. You can do it yourself with a little time and patience.

This can include everything from demolishing non-load-bearing walls and tearing up old flooring to painting, plastering holes, installing doors, and laying down carpeting. Just make sure you know what you’re doing first, and that you follow proper safety precautions. The only thing pricier than paying for simple work you can do yourself is paying for complex repairs to damage you yourself caused.

Take Advantage of Home Financing Options

Last but not least, the most important thing that any homeowner can do to save money on an addition is take advantage of home financing options. Instead of footing the bill for the project yourself by draining your bank account and abusing your credit cards, Homeowner Funding can help you find a variety of assistance programs to fit your needs.

Home improvement finance resources come in all shapes and sizes, from unsecured personal loans to fund essential repairs to government-backed roofing grants for homeowners. Whether you’re looking to fix your foundation, improve your curb appeal, replace old wiring, remodel the bathroom, or even build an addition, help is available. There’s no reason to not use it.

When you’re ready to start your home remodel, Homeowner Funding will be there to help with loan options you can afford.

Contact us today to see what your options are!

Houses are a lot like people. No two are identical. They all have different needs and assets, but one thing they all have in common is that they all require love and care as the years go by.

Loans are a lot like people, too. They’re all very different from one another. What’s more, it’s hard to learn their ins and outs if you don’t spend a lot of time with them. When your house is seriously overdue for some of the aforementioned love and care, however, you don’t always have time to compare every last one of the hundreds and thousands of loans that exist.

That’s where Homeowner Funding comes in. As an Owens Corning preferred contractor and Norandex window installation partner, no one is better equipped to help you get the home improvements you need. But renovation and repair services aren’t all we provide; we’ll also help connect you with the best home repair loans and grants.

Here at Homeowner Funding, our goal is to make it easy for you to get the financial assistance you’re looking for. That’s why we’ve compiled this handy list of the best home improvement loans of 2023!

How Home Improvement Loans Work

Loans for home improvements are not unlike other kinds of loans, except that their terms are specifically optimized to pay for remodels, renovations, and repairs. While you normally cannot deduct the interest from your taxes as you can with mortgage loans, the best home improvement loans have other advantages.

For starters, they’re often easy to budget for due to having fixed payment amounts. More importantly, while mortgage loans use your house as collateral—meaning that the lender can seize the property should you default during repayment—the best loans for home improvement are typically based solely on income and credit score, eliminating the danger of foreclosure.

Our 2023 Home Improvement Loan Picks

Because Homeowner Funding is part of the NRIA network, we have access to information about all the best loans for home renovation. Whether you’re planning a few small repairs or a larger project like building an addition or getting a total roof replacement, we can help.

When it comes to the best loans to get home improvements here are some of our favorites:

Best Home Improvement Loans for Large Projects

LIGHTSTREAM

Home improvements aren’t cheap. The bigger the scope, the bigger the price tag. Fortunately, Lightstream—a division of Suntrust Bank—offers unsecured personal loans ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. That’s more than enough to pay for even the largest home improvement projects.

Although borrowers need a credit rating of at least 600 to be eligible for Lightstream’s home improvement loans, interest rates start at just 7.49%, and can go even lower if you sign up for automatic payment. Borrowers can also apply for a joint loan to further lower their rate, or to increase their loan amount.

Best Home Improvement Loans for Small Projects

PENFED CREDIT UNION

Not all home improvement projects require tens of thousands of dollars to complete, but that doesn’t make them any easier to undertake without financial help. Especially in the case of emergency repairs, you may find yourself needing a small influx of money fast.

Perfect for those who aren’t able to apply for a home equity line of credit—or who simply don’t want to—the home improvement loans offered by PenFed Credit Union start as low as $600, with a maximum of $20,000. Interest rates start at 7.74% and funds are usually available within one business day. Suffice to say, PenFed offers some of the best credit union home improvement loans today.

Best Home Improvement Loans for Veterans

NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Have you ever served in the US Armed Forces? If so, you may be eligible to receive a Veterans Affairs home loan. Offered through private lenders like the Navy Federal Credit Union, these loans are partially guaranteed by the VA This means that, should a borrower default, the US Government will repay a portion of what they owe.

If you’re a veteran looking for the best loans for home renovation, the Navy Federal Credit Union’s VA loans come with such benefits as 0% down payments, a lower minimum credit score, and no obligated loan insurance. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, it’s no wonder that Navy Federal serves an estimated 10 million veterans and active US Armed Forces members.

Best Home Improvement Loans for Bad Credit

AVANT

Sometimes the people who have the hardest time receiving financial assistance are the ones who need it the most. Individuals with bad credit may find it difficult finding home improvement loans with reasonable terms. Good thing Avant approves borrowers with credit scores as low as 580.

While the APR on Avant’s loans does start a little high at about 9.95%, that’s still relatively affordable and competitive with many other loans available to subprime borrowers. Similarly, the $35,000 maximum may be lower than loan amounts provided by other lenders, it is high enough to cover the cost of most major home improvement projects.

Let Us Help You Find the Best Loans for Home Improvements

Over the years, Homeowner Funding has helped countless people get badly needed repairs and renovations, even when they weren’t able to afford it out of pocket. It doesn’t matter how big or small your project is, and it doesn’t matter how bad you think your credit is. Chances are, we can help you find affordable, low-interest home improvement loans that fit your needs.
From replacement windows and bathroom remodels to home installation and vinyl siding, we’re proud to offer a wide range of home improvement services. You may think you can’t afford to get the renovations you need; if so, think again. Homeowner Funding can help you get the best home improvement loans around. Contact us today!

A huge amount of work goes into making a house a home. During your time as a homeowner, you’ll end up doing a lot of home improvement projects and repairs to create your dream home and keep it in good shape. While you want to do home improvement projects that reflect your style and what you want to see in your home, you also need to think of its impact on your home’s value. Even if you plan to be in your current home for a long time, eventually, there will come a time when it needs to be sold. When you get to the point where you’re ready to sell, you want to get the most for your home, so it’s important to work on increasing the value now.

Here are eight investments that will help boost your home’s value.

Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

The outside of your home is the first thing people notice, so you want it to impress people. If your home’s exterior is outdated and dilapidated, people could form negative opinions on it right away. Even if the inside of your home is perfect, it can be difficult to change people’s minds. For some homes, this might mean smaller projects, like investing in better landscaping, while others will require more work. Some homeowners might want to look into getting help like siding financing if their home’s exterior requires a lot of work. 

Renovate Your Kitchen

If you’re debating which room of your house to update, go with the kitchen. A new kitchen is one of the best things you can invest in to boost your home’s value. Renovating your kitchen can mean different things for different homeowners. Some homeowners may want to go all out and completely gut their kitchen and start from scratch, especially for kitchens that haven’t been updated in years. However, even a minor kitchen remodel can be effective at boosting your home’s value if you only have small changes to make.

Make Your Home Greener

Some home improvements can increase your home’s value and potentially save you money while you’re still living there. Many homeowners are making the switch to greener, eco-friendly homes today. A greener home is better for the environment but can also help you save on your energy bills. Energy-efficient homes are something many people are looking for today, and having these changes already completed is a huge selling point that any potential buyer will love. 

Add on to Your Home

Many of us can use a little extra space in our homes. Home additions are one of the top ways to increase value in your home because of this. An extra room can be used for just about anything you need, such as a laundry room, home office, guest room, or you can have a sunroom put in. Maybe you have an attic or basement that doesn’t get used currently but can serve a purpose if you get it finished. This can keep you from having to get a whole new addition but still gives you more living space. 

Get a New Roof

How long you can go without a new roof depending on the materials your roof uses, but if it’s already been 20 years, it could be time for you to start looking into getting a new roof. A new roof is extremely expensive, so if it is time to replace your roof, looking for financing like roofing grants for homeowners can make this project a little more manageable for you. If your roof doesn’t need to be totally replaced just yet, you can also see if certain areas need to be touched up for now. 

Update Your Bathrooms

Like your kitchens, your home’s bathrooms have a big impact on it’s value. Bathrooms are one of the areas of the home that buyer’s pay the most attention to, so you don’t want to miss this opportunity. Any bathroom is bound to go through a lot of wear and tear over the years, but no one wants to buy a home that shows obvious signs of this. A newly updated bathroom with all new features can help your home sell for top dollar.

Give Your Walls a Fresh Coat of Paint

Painting may seem like a minor project compared to things like getting new siding or a home addition, but it does make a big difference. After years of the same coat of paint, your walls can get dirty without you noticing, or the colors can begin to look dull, but a fresh coat of paint can transform every room of your house. If you’re getting ready to sell your home and your walls are currently painted bold or bright colors that wouldn’t go with most people’s styles, you should also think about repainting. Going with neutral, basic colors can help allow people to envision what their life in your home will look like and won’t distract them from the rest of the house. 

Keep Your Home Well Insulated

Good insulation is extremely important for homes in areas that experience harsh winters. You don’t want all the money you spend on heating to go to waste, and proper insulation will help you keep the heat in and the cold out. This will also help keep your home more comfortable during the hot summer months. If you live in an older home, this is something you should look into. While insulation can help, you should also consider getting new windows and doors installed if they’re drafty. 

Get Help Financing Your Home Improvements

While home improvement projects will pay off in the long run, real estate investing like this can be expensive initially, and you might not have the funds to pay for it. Fortunately, there are many options available for homeowners to fund projects like these. At Homeowner Funding, we can discuss the plans you have for your home and help you find a funding program to help you tackle the cost. 

Apply for funding today to learn more about how we can help you increase your home’s value.

Having bad credit can make a lot of things more difficult for you. However, many of us have suffered from a bad credit score at some point, and sometimes it can be unavoidable. If you have bad credit, you know that life still has to go on, even if it causes some extra challenges for you. This could be something you’re dealing with if you’re a homeowner in need of a home improvement loan. Many homeowners require a home improvement loan to finance their home improvement projects, but this often requires certain credit scores.

Getting help to finance a home improvement project is possible, even if your credit score isn’t great.

Government Home Improvement Loans

Government loans can be a great option for homeowners who have bad credit. Loans for home improvements through the government tend to have more relaxed rules when it comes to the credit you need, so this is something you should keep in mind. However, many government home improvement loans are very specific as to who can get them, although they do offer loans for various situations. For example, you could be able to get government help if you live in a rural area and are renovating your home, which could help if you’re looking for grants for roof repair.

Home Equity Loans 

If you have a lot of equity in your home but don’t have a good credit score for many types of loans, a home equity loan may be able to help. Getting a home equity loan can be easier than getting other types of loans with bad credit because your home’s equity is used as collateral. This can make lenders feel more comfortable loaning you money, even if your credit score isn’t great. If you’ve built a lot of equity in your home, you can also get a decent-sized loan, which can help make larger projects possible. As long as you know that you’ll be able to keep up with the monthly payments, a home equity loan can be a great option. 

Home Equity Lines of Credit 

A home equity line of credit is similar to a home equity loan in that it uses your home as collateral. However, home equity lines of credit act more like a credit card rather than a home equity loan. Whereas home equity loans provide you with one lump sum amount for your project, a HELOC allows you to withdraw the money as you need it over a set amount of time. A HELOC can be more beneficial for homeowners who will need money over time for their project and aren’t sure how much they’ll end up needing. This way, you won’t have to worry about over or underestimating the cost of your project and being committed to a certain amount if you’re unsure about it. If you need help with something like vinyl siding financing and know the exact amount ahead of time, a home equity loan could be a better choice.

Apply for a Personal Loan

You may still be able to get certain installment loans, such as personal loans, even if you have bad credit. These loans can be used for anything you need, making them a good option for those planning home improvement projects. You can use the loan to cover whatever you need to complete your project. However, like any loan you get with bad credit, you could end up paying higher interest rates for a personal loan. Applying for a personal loan with a co-signer could also give you a better chance of getting one and having better interest rates than applying alone. Of course, if you’re able to wait until your credit score improves, you’ll have an easy time getting a loan, but that’s not always an option.

See What Options You Have for Home Improvement Loans Today

If you have bad credit, looking for a good home improvement loan could be difficult on your own. Home improvement loans for bad credit are available, you might just need help finding them. At Homeowner Funding, we know what options are available for people with all types of credit scores, and our team has experience helping homeowners find exactly what they need. Homeowner Funding is an NRIA org, and we can help you find funding options that can be difficult to find on your own. We’ll discuss your situation and what project you have planned to see how we can help make your project possible.

Apply for homeowner funding today to learn more about how we can help. 

Going green with your home improvements has a dual benefit for you as a homeowner: not only will you have the peace of mind of knowing you are keeping the environment safe from pollutants, but you will also save big money on your energy bills from everything you have installed.

Of course, if we left it at that, we would be offering misleading information. The truth is that making eco-friendly home improvements might cost you a bit of extra money, more than traditional building materials would run you.

Luckily, home improvement financing is readily available to homeowners in the Northeastern United States from Homeowner Funding. Whether you need vinyl siding financing or something else, we are here to work with you and make your renovations easy.

Once you’ve secured funding, you may actually have to stop again to think about how your home would benefit from green improvements.

That’s why we’re here: to explain the most important steps of going green with your home.

Consider Why You’re Doing This

People go green for many reasons. You’re benefiting the environment no matter what, but knowing why you’re remodeling your home in these specific ways will help to direct you.

Maybe you just want to do your part for the environment by outfitting your house with a tankless hot water heater, sustainable bamboo flooring, cool roof, or low-flush toilets.

Or perhaps you’re really looking to cut down on your monthly energy bills by investing in this green technology. Sure, the price tags for some of these things might seem intimidating, but what you’ll save over time will ultimately pay for the installation.

Or it could be that you just want to bump up your home’s value for a future buyer. Maybe you live in a neighborhood that is slowly transforming into a green area and you want to make your home particularly desirable for resale.

Whatever benefits you enjoy now from your energy savings will be passed along to another buyer, and people will probably be willing to pay a steep price for a home like that.

Divide Up Your Green Projects by Category

When it finally comes time for you to start your green home improvements, it might help to divide up your efforts by area, as in, the type of energy to be saved.

Water

For instance, if you focus on water savings first, you might first look at an improvement such as a tankless water heater.

Unlike standard tanked water heaters, tankless heaters heat your water on demand for you. You heat only the water you’re about to use. You will never run out of water, but you’re also using only what you need, so there is no extra water just sitting there in a tank.

Tankless water heaters are more expensive to install but will save you water and heating costs over time.

Then, there are low-flush toilets that, just as they sound, save water by using significantly less water with every flush. For instance, say an older toilet uses 3 to 7 gallons of water in a single flush. A low-flush toilet might use less than 2 gallons in a flush.

That’s cutting down on water usage in your home but also saving water in the environment. Low-flush toilets, when properly maintained, could last you 30 years or more and add a ton to your home’s resale value.

Heating and Cooling

When we’re talking about making green home improvements, everybody’s going to be concerned about heating and cooling.

Maybe you live in a region that’s always hot or somewhere where the winters are especially harsh.

If your worst nightmare is feeling too hot or cold in your own home, and you want to rectify those problems in an environmentally friendly way, here are some options.

Cool roofs are at the cutting edge of temperature-regulating technology today. Cool roofs use reflective shingles or paint to reflect sunlight back out and ultimately absorb less heat. A cool roof can stay 50 degrees cooler on a hot summer day than the standard roofs of older homes. That means you’ll keep your house cooler and require less air conditioning.

A programmable thermostat is another great addition when it comes to heating and cooling costs. Being able to set your home’s temperature beforehand or from a distance will save you lots of money by using less natural gas, electricity, or whichever energy source you use. You can turn down the heat or cooling when you’re sleeping or away from home for accumulating cost savings over time.

And by the way, to cut down on your electricity usage even more, look into having solar panels installed on your roof. They will capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity you can use. You can also apply for federal tax credits for having solar panels installed.

Energy Star-Rated Materials

Finally, you can add to your home’s minimalist green footprint by installing Energy Star-rated appliances. The Energy Star status is a designation given by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy for appliances that are more energy-efficient than standard appliances.

For instance, you can get Energy Star televisions, refrigerators, water heaters, washers and dryers, HVAC systems, light bulbs, and more. The purchase prices of Energy Star-rated products are higher, but, as the story always goes, they will save you energy and reduce emissions into the environment in the long run.

Fund Your Green Projects with Homeowner Funding

No matter what kind of green home improvement project you’re working on, it’s going to help you save energy and increase your home’s value.

At Homeowner Funding, we’re all about helping Northeastern United States residents to finance their home improvement dreams. We can help you locate an NRIA fund that works for what you need.

When you’re ready to do your part to help the environment and bump up your home’s future resale price, we’ll be ready to help you.

Call Homeowner Funding today to secure your funding.

Once the weather starts getting warmer, you’re probably starting to plan all the things you want to do over the summer. While this could mean planning vacations for many, home improvement projects are also on the top of many people’s to-do lists. Summer is the perfect time for home repairs and renovations, especially for the front of your home or your outdoor space. Nice weather can motivate all of us to tackle projects we’ve been putting off all winter and make us feel ready for some positive changes. If you’re ready to freshen up your home this summer, you might not know where to start. 

There are plenty of home improvement projects that you can do yourself, but some will require professional help. Here are eight home improvement projects that homeowners should look into for this summer.

Redo Your Siding

Putting up new siding is a huge undertaking but a necessary one. Your home’s siding protects it from the elements, so this isn’t something you want to neglect for too long. Most siding can last for several decades, but if you’re in an older home or have lived in your current home for a while, it could be time to get something new. Not only will this keep your home protected, but it can transform your home’s appearance. New siding is a huge boost to your home’s curb appeal, and you may even be able to get help with siding financing for the project. 

Revamp Your Kitchen

Kitchen renovations are always popular, and there’s no better time for them than the summer. Depending on what your kitchen needs, this might only be a small weekend project you can tackle alone, but kitchen renovations can quickly turn into large jobs. Some kitchens might only need a fresh coat of paint, new hardware, and other easy aesthetic updates, but there’s a lot more you can do to update your kitchen. For example, new kitchen cabinets, flooring, and backsplash are things that some might try to do on their own, but you’ll get much better quality results and save yourself a lot of stress by hiring a professional. 

Do a Deep Clean

Sometimes, home improvements don’t have to mean large renovation projects or even any updates at all. Your home can feel like new with a really good deep clean, which is perfect for warm days. There are many things in your home that can get extremely dirty without you enticing, like your walls and carpets. This can cause them to look old, and you might think you need renovations when all they need is to be cleaned. If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned all the rooms in your house, even the areas that don’t get much use, add this to your summer to-do list. 

Install Energy-Efficient Updates

Many homeowners are looking for ways to make their houses more energy-efficient. Not only is this better for the environment, but it can also save you money in the long run. By investing in energy-efficient updates, you could start seeing lower electricity and heat bills, making these projects more than worth it. Things like investing in a smart thermostat or swapping out your old light bulbs for energy-efficient ones are easy to do, but there are even bigger changes you can make if this is something you care a lot about. For example, getting replacement windows if yours are old and drafty or having new insulation installed can help keep the inside of your home at a comfortable temperature all year.

Get a New Roof

Like your siding, your roof is an essential part of your home and something that needs to stay in good shape to protect your home. If your roof is starting to get a little too old, you might want to schedule roof repairs for this summer. If your roof isn’t that old, you may be able to get away with getting a few small areas replaced if you have any problems with your roof. Summer can be a great time for this, since the weather will be less of a concern, so long as it doesn’t get too hot. A new roof can be expensive, but roofing grants for homeowners are available that you can try out. 

Fix Up Your Yard 

Of course, most homeowners do some sort of outdoor work during the summer. You want to enjoy time outside on warm days, and you can’t fully enjoy it if you don’t like the way your yard looks. Give your lawn the care it needs, plant a flower garden, and invest in patio furniture so that you have the perfect place to relax all summer. If yard work isn’t your thing, you can always hire someone to help with landscaping. Restaining your deck or power washing your patio can also help make them look like new.

Schedule Routine Maintenance

While you’ll need different features of your home replaced eventually, maintenance can help you care for what you have now and make it last longer. Routine maintenance is especially important for the appliances in your home. The very beginning of summer is the perfect time to get maintenance for your AC system to ensure it will work on hot days when you need it. At the end of the summer, you should also get maintenance for your heating system before you have to worry about the weather getting cold. 

Repaint Your Walls

If you’ve gotten tired of the colors of your walls, a nice warm day is the best time to repaint them. Maybe you want to try out new colors, or you just need to refresh the old paint if it’s been a while. A warm summer day gives you the chance to keep the windows open all day, so you can air out a room that’s been freshly painted. Fortunately, this is something that won’t take up more than a few days at most and you can likely do it yourself.

Get Help Financing Your Summer Home Improvement Projects 

Depending on the projects you have planned for this summer, you might be wondering how you’ll manage to pay for them. Home improvement projects can be extremely expensive, and many homeowners need assistance to afford them, such as home improvement loans with a low interest rate. At Homeowner Funding, we can help you find funding that works for your project, like an NRIA fund.

If you have a home improvement project planned for this summer, contact Homeowner Funding to see how we can help.

We all need to do home improvements eventually. Home improvements can be stressful for many reasons, but many homeowners don’t enjoy them due to the cost. Even a small home improvement project can get extremely expensive. This isn’t something most people can afford without making a plan for how they’ll manage to pay for it. Fortunately, there are a few different ways for homeowners to finance their home improvements. 

Check out these eight unique ways to pay for your next home improvement. 

Find New Ways of Saving Money

For some projects that can wait, you might be able to save up the money yourself to pay for it. While there are many ways of getting the funds you need, if you can manage to pay for it yourself, that’s even better. If you’re planning a renovation that you want to try and pay for yourself, look into new ways of saving money you haven’t thought of. Maybe there are areas in your life where you can cut costs that you haven’t thought of yet. Waiting a while for your home improvement if you think you can save up enough money for it is likely to be the best way of funding home improvements if it’s possible.

Start a Side Job

If you want to finance your home improvement by yourself, but saving up with your current income isn’t an option, you might want to consider getting a temporary side job. There are many options today for side jobs that won’t take up a ton of your time and don’t require any experience. If you need a little extra money for your home improvements and have some free time, doing this for a little while might give you the extra money you need. Of course, this also only works if your home improvement project isn’t urgent and can be pushed to the side for now. 

Get a Home Equity Line of Credit

A home equity line of credit is similar to using a credit card for your home repairs and uses your home as collateral. Because of this, you need to have available equity in your home to get a home equity line of credit. With a home equity line of credit, you can get access to the funds you need as you need it. This is especially helpful for longer projects where the cost of the project is likely to change over time. 

Take Out a Home Equity Loan

Like home equity lines of credit, home equity loans use your home for collateral. Whereas a home equity loan allows you to use however much money you need over time, a home equity loan offers you one set amount. If you have a pricey project planned and you know the amount it will come out to, a home equity loan could be a good way to get the funds you need. 

Use a Credit Card

Of course, relying on credit cards for anything could quickly get you into trouble. While this isn’t a good option for all homeowners, some can use credit cards for their home remodels. This is very dependent on the homeowner and the cost of the project. If you know you’re very responsible when it comes to using credit cards and have low interest rates, this might be an option for you. For small projects that aren’t very expensive, but you don’t have all of the funds available right that moment, a credit card could work. 

Refinance Your Mortgage

Refinancing your mortgage is a common way of getting access to funds and can be used to finance home improvement projects. Refinancing is a great option because you can often refinance for a lower interest rate. Deciding to refinance your mortgage can be a big decision, so it’s important to take your time to be sure this is the best option for you. 

Find a Government Loan

You might not realize how many government programs are available to help you fund home improvements. There are many resources out there, and there could be one that applies to your unique situation. You might also qualify for government loans depending on the type of project you have planned. Certain renovations, such as some eco-friendly updates or grants for a new roof, could be eligible for government assistance. 

Let Homeowner Funding Help

Most people don’t have the skills and experience needed to do their home improvements on their own, so they need the help of a professional contractor. Getting professional help to find funding for your home improvements can be just important. At Homeowner Funding, it’s our job to help homeowners get access to financing for their home remodels and renovations. As an NRIA program provider, we know all the options available to homeowners and will help find one that’s right for you.  

Homeowner Funding is an Owens Corning preferred contractor, and we’re dedicated to ensuring that homeowners get high-quality renovations and repairs. Contact us to learn more about how we can help.

Having a physical disability causes many obstacles that might never occur to non-disabled people. This can make it difficult to get around public places that don’t provide modifications for people with disabilities. However, many people with physical disabilities also struggle to get around their own homes. If someone has recently developed a disability or recently moved to a new house, it’s likely that the layout and features of the home weren’t made to accommodate their disability. This requires modifications to be made around the house, which can sometimes require major renovations. 

Here are six ways to modify your home for someone with physical disabilities. 

Modify the Entryway

Getting into a house is the first challenge a person might have. Most homes have at least a few steps to get on the porch or to the front door. If a person has a physical disability that makes it difficult or impossible to walk upstairs, there’s no way of them even getting into the house, at least not without help. In any home where a person with physical disabilities that make using stairs difficult lives should, there should be an accessible entryway. This could be getting rid of stairs to install a ramp, adding a ramp in addition to existing stairs if you have the space for both, creating a wrap-around ramp if the stairs are too steep to put a ramp over.

Ensure that Bathrooms are Accessible 

Most household bathrooms aren’t set up to accommodate physical disabilities. Features like countertops, sinks, and even light switches will likely be too high for people in wheelchairs to access. Bathtubs and showers can also be extremely dangerous for people with disabilities to use if they aren’t designed for them. These can often be difficult to get into and risk a person falling if there’s nothing for them to hold. Installing a walk-in shower or a bathtub with grab bars is a much safer option for people with disabilities and senior citizens. Toilets can also be difficult to use, but there are disability-friendly options that are a safer height. Grab bars should also be used around the toilet to make it safer and easier to access.

Create an Accessible Kitchen 

Similar to bathrooms, it can be difficult to use certain kitchen features if you have a disability. Countertops, sinks, stoves, and many cabinets might be too high up for someone with a disability to use. Lowering everything to a height accessible to someone with a disability ensures that they can use everything more easily. You also need to be sure that there’s room for a wheelchair to go through the room if someone uses one. This could mean expanding the room or taking out features like tables and islands if necessary. Some might also have an easier time with cabinets and drawers if they have pulls on them, rather than typical handles, or push to open storage.  

Make Floor Surfaces Safe

Some floor surfaces can make it difficult or even unsafe for a person with disabilities to get around. For those with carpets, moving a wheelchair through the room might be too difficult. However, other surfaces, like certain tiles, might be too slick for some to walk on safely. Many might have to go without area rugs to prevent falls. Consider the disability a person has and the type of flooring that will be safest for them to walk on or use anything they need to help them get around, such as wheelchairs or walkers. 

Add Bathrooms and Bedrooms to the First Floor

Many people live in homes with two or more stories, and typically, all the bedrooms are on the second floor, and even sometimes all the bathrooms are on the second floor. If someone is unable to climb a staircase, this makes accessing them impossible. House additions to the first floor ensure that a person with disabilities can access the rooms they need. 

Widen the Halls and Doorways

If someone needs a wheelchair to get around, they might struggle with doorways and hallways. In some houses, these might not be big enough to accommodate a wheelchair, making it difficult to get through the house. This can be especially difficult in thigh corners where a person in a wheelchair is unable to turn. If this is an issue in your home, you might need to renovate and expand the halls and doorways so that they can accommodate a wheelchair. 

Get Help Making Your Home More Accessible

No one should have to struggle to get around their own home. This is where you should feel safe and comfortable, but physical disabilities can make this hard. Unfortunately, getting the modifications a person needs can be expensive, and many people can’t afford to pay this out of pocket. At Homeowner Funding, we can help you find funding for various home renovations, from making your home more accessible to making updates or installing a home sunroom. As an Owens Corning preferred contractor and an NRIA program provider, we can help ensure quality home improvement projects.  

Contact us to learn more about how we can help modify your home for someone with disabilities. 

Planning a major renovation project can cause homeowners a lot of stress. You want to be sure you’re making the right choice and staying within your budget, which requires a huge amount of research. Every home needs multiple renovations, both big and small, over the years as features wear down or become outdated. One big renovation every home eventually needs is new siding. Your home’s siding helps protect it from the elements, keeping your house and everything inside safe for years. Siding also has a major impact on the curb appeal of your home, so you want to be sure that you’re happy with the way it looks. There’s a lot to think about when getting new siding, so it’s important that you get the right help. 

Here’s your guide to siding that can make your renovation project a little easier.

Types of Siding

There are a few different house siding options that are common today. What’s right for one home might not be best for another, so you should learn the differences to determine which will work best for you and what your home needs. 

Here are some of the most popular siding options that you might consider for your house. 

Vinyl Siding

One of the most popular siding materials that you can find on many houses is vinyl. You can order vinyl in just about any color without having to worry about painting it, so you can get exactly what you want. If you have siding up already and you’re wondering “how to put on vinyl siding,” it’s much easier than you might think. Vinyl siding is also a great option for older homes, as it can usually be installed over already existing siding, so you don’t have to worry about removing it. 

Vinyl siding is likely to be the longest-lasting siding option that you can choose from. Vinyl siding is long-lasting and doesn’t require much maintenance other than an occasional cleaning, which you can likely manage on your own. This is also a great choice for many homeowners because vinyl is often the most affordable option but is still durable and high-quality. 

Wood Siding

Many consider wood to be one of the best-looking siding options. If the appearance of your house is your top priority, wood siding might be your best option. This can give a house a more traditional look, and some may think natural wood looks more high-quality compared to other materials that try to mimic it. 

Wood siding is also an expensive option. The initial cost of wood siding is more than other siding options but will also require a lot of regular maintenance over the years. This maintenance can cost a few thousand dollars each time to keep the siding in good shape. Wood siding is very durable if you invest the maintenance but can rot without it. However, even with regular maintenance, wood siding may not last as long as other options, so it will need to be replaced sooner. 

Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement siding is a type of siding made from a mixture of cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers. This is often the most durable type of siding available. Fiber cement fiber is very resistant to harsh weather, even tornados and hurricanes, and is fire resistant. You can also have fiber cement siding painted the color you want.  

Fiber cement siding isn’t the most expensive siding option on the market, but it is more than vinyl. Like vinyl siding, fiber cement siding doesn’t require much maintenance. An occasional cleaning and some touch-ups if the siding gets damaged are all that is needed. You also might have to repaint this siding over the years. 

How to Find the Right Siding for Your Home

There are many great choices for siding, but some might not be right for your home. When you’re choosing siding, think of what your home needs. Maybe you live in an area where you get bad weather often and are worried about how it will hold up or don’t want to get something that you require you to invest in a lot of maintenance. Of course, your budget might be the determining factor when you’re looking at siding for your home. While there are more affordable siding options, they’re still high-quality and a great choice for many homes. 

Finding Funding for Your Siding

Most homeowners don’t need to be reminded of how expensive siding is. While some types of siding are more budget-friendly, they still come at a huge cost. This is something many homeowners can’t afford on their own, but it’s an essential renovation project that you can’t put off for very long. Fortunately, many homeowners can benefit from funding programs to help them get new siding for their homes. This is similar to other funding programs for home repair projects, such as new roof financing. At Homeowner Funding, we can help you find a funding program that’s right for you and your project. 

Contact Homeowner Funding today to learn more about how we can help you finance your new siding. 

Buying a house is a big investment, one that you want to make sure will pay off should the time come when you decide to put your property back on the market. The way housing markets fluctuate, however, the best way to boost your resale value is with the following home improvement projects.

Beautify Your Exterior

The strongest way to communicate value to neighbors and potential buyers is to make sure that the first thing they see when approaching your home is a beautiful, clean, well-maintained exterior. If you imagine the façade of a house as its face, then it’s important to greet visitors with a welcoming smile. A property with dirty siding, a broken porchlight, or a banged-up door is the equivalent of a frown.

There are a lot of ways to beautify your exterior, from making much-needed repairs, upgrading outdoor light fixtures, and replacing doors and windows to repaving the walkway, fixing up or adding a new porch, and applying a fresh coat of paint. One simple method of completely changing the look of your home is by installing new siding. With a wide variety of house siding options available, including vinyl, wood, metal, and stucco, it’s easy to increase your property’s value at a relatively small cost.

Upgrade the Technology

When people think of “technology” they often think of things like smartphones and computers, not houses. Today, however, everything from your thermostat to your interior lighting to the locks on your doors can be customized to be more safe, economical, and convenient through the use of “smart home” technology.

Upgrading your home’s technology isn’t as pricey or complicated as it might seem. In many cases, it’s just a matter of replacing an old fixture with a new one, then downloading an app that allows you to make adjustments and monitor your property even when on the go. If you’re not interested in going high-tech, you can still add value by switching to more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly options, such as LED light bulbs, or by updating common household appliances, such as the refrigerator or oven.

Add More Space

What does every house need more of? Space. Homeownership is all about privacy and comfort, two things that are a lot easier to enjoy when there’s enough room for everyone to get some alone time when they need it. For homeowners with large families or lots of belongings, it can be hard to find space to accommodate everything. That’s why bigger houses tend to come with bigger price tags.

The best way to add space to a property, is arguably by building additions. House additions can be basic, such as constructing an additional full-size bedroom or a smaller “bump-in.” But they can also be major, such as building a sunroom or a garage. Either way, it’s easy to see how such projects add value to a property. Although it can seem like a major undertaking, even a simple addition can earn back everything you put into it and then some.

Invest in Landscaping

If you think the only way to boost your home’s value is by making renovations to the building itself, you’re neglecting one aspect of your property with huge potential: the grounds. Whether you’ve got a huge backyard full of trees and rolling hills or just a small front lawn with a slender dirt path leading to your door, investing in landscaping is a great way to impress neighbors and attract buyers.

If you have the space, planting some trees, shrubbery, or even a full-blown flower garden is a surefire way to give your property some eye-catching flair. If that doesn’t interest you, though, at least make sure that your grounds are well-kept, neat, and healthy. Dead grass, weed-infested walkways, and overgrown shrubs will turn off most potential home buyers immediately.

Maintain the Necessities

When it comes to increasing your home’s value, it’s easy to get excited by all the big changes and stylish additions you can make. It’s important to remember, though, that keeping what you already have in good shape matters just as much. After all, what good is adding value by focusing on one project while neglect is causing you to lose value elsewhere?

No one wants to buy a house in disrepair. It doesn’t matter how pretty it is, if the foundation is damaged, the roof is leaky, and the wiring is on the fritz, that property is going to be a hard sell. Make sure to have a professional, such as an Owens Corning preferred contractor, regularly inspect your home and make any necessary repairs. If parts of your house in especially bad shape, you may need to replace them entirely, but putting in the work is vital if you want to maximize your property’s value.