03 Aug 2022
By Kevin Gahagan

Save Money On DIY Projects Around The House

Home Mortgage Tips

Save Money On Your Cost Of Living With DIY Tips Around The HouseIt is not exactly a secret that inflation is a significant issue. With inflation continuing to increase the cost of living all over the world, there are many people who are looking for ways to save money. Home improvement and renovation projects have been popular during the past few years, but many homeowners are starting to put them on hold because of how expensive everything has gotten. What are some of the ways you can save money on your home repair and renovation costs?

Know What You Can Do Yourself

First, you need to think about home repairs that you can complete on your own. It has gotten exceedingly expensive to call the contractor for help. There might be some small issues that you can handle on your own. This might include broken cabinet pulls and slanted doors. On the other hand, you need to think about your safety. For example, you should never work on a gas line yourself unless you are properly certified.

Scale Back The Price Of The Renovation

You might also need to scale back the scope of the renovation project. For example, if you were going with a specialty company for those beautiful kitchen counters, you may want to go with a less expensive option. You might even be able to find a single company that can handle everything for you, which means that you may enjoy a significant discount. 

Consider Going With Used Options

You might be able to save even more money if you go with a used option. For example, if you are looking for a way to save money on kitchen cabinets, consider looking for the second-hand often that someone is trying to get rid of. This is also a great way for you to protect the environment. When you work with a kitchen contractor, see if they know somebody who is looking to get rid of kitchen items. They might give you a discount if you take them off of their hands.

Save Money On Your Repairs And Renovations

These are a few tips you may want to follow if you are looking for a way to save money on repairs and renovations. Make sure you know what you can do yourself and when you need to reach out to a professional. 

04 Aug 2021
By Kevin Gahagan

What To Know About Home Loans for Renovation Projects

Mortgage

What To Know About Home Loans for Renovation ProjectsWhen people are looking for a home, they are often looking for something that is move-in ready. While this might make the process easier, this can also make the home much more expensive. It is still possible to find a dream home even if the house requires a bit of renovation. This is also a great opportunity for homeowners to customize the home to meet their needs. What do potential homeowners need to know about taking out a mortgage to renovate a fixer-upper when compared to a conventional home loan? Take a look at some helpful information below.

When Buying A Fixer-Upper Is The Right Decision

There are several situations where buying a renovation project might seem like the logical decision. Remember that these projects are going to take time and money, so homeowners need to have both of these resources to complete the project. Of course, these projects are going to require a lot of construction skills, so it is important to either have the equipment and expertise or be willing to hire someone to do this. Furthermore, it is critical to look at the value of the property once the project is done. What type of return should homeowners expect after they finish the project? It should meet the needs of the homeowner while also providing a significant return.

Understanding The Financing Options

Homeowners are unlikely to have the cash to pay for all of these out of pocket, so it is important to take a look at a few financing options. An FHA 203k Mortgage is often a great option for those with a credit score of 580 or higher. These loans can cover a diverse array of construction projects.

There are also Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation Loans, which allow people to borrow up to 50 percent of the total value of the home for the project. Homeowners can also borrow against projected equity instead of having to wait to take out a traditional cash-out home refinance. This loan requires a credit score of 680 or higher and the renovation must be completed in less than 12 months.

These two loan options could be helpful for those who are looking to complete a home renovation project.

22 Dec 2020
By Kevin Gahagan

How To Finance Your Home Improvement Project

Mortgage Tips

How To Finance Your Home Improvement ProjectIf you have been spending a lot of time at home recently, then you might be getting tired of staring at the same four walls. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways for you to switch it up by financing a home improvement project. At the same time, home improvement projects can be expensive, particularly if you are targeting the kitchen. Therefore, you might be wondering how you are going to be able to pay for them. There are plenty of ways that you can finance a home improvement project, so take a look at a few of the options below. 

Consider Taking A Cash-Out Refinance

One way that you can free up some extra cash is to carry out something called a cash-out refinance. Right now, due to the coronavirus pandemic, mortgage rates are at historic lows. Therefore, you might be able to complete a refinancing plan that can free up some cash for the home improvement project. When you refinance your loan, you essentially change the terms of your mortgage to free up some of the equity that you already have in your home. Then, you can put this equity toward your home improvement projects. 

Take Out A Home Equity Line Of Credit

You might also be able to tap into the equity you have in your home directly by creating a line of credit. This is a common option when it comes to home improvement financing. The money that you receive from this home equity line comes directly from the equity in your home. If you have been paying into your mortgage for several years, then there is a high chance that you have built up an equity line of credit. At the same time, remember that this is very much like a second mortgage, so you are essentially putting up your house as collateral.

Finance Your Home Improvement Project

Even though you can always put your home improvement project on a credit card or take out a personal loan, it might be better for you to tap into the equity in your home. By accessing a lower interest rate, you might be able to save a significant amount of money while still accomplishing your home improvement project goals.

 

09 Jul 2020
By Kevin Gahagan

The Renovations That Provide The Best Return On Your Investment

Mortgage Tips

The Renovations That Provide The Best Return On Your InvestmentRenovating a home is not only a way to increase the family’s standard of living but it can also be seen as an investment. There are multiple ways for someone to increase the value of their home and renovations are one of the most straightforward. At the same time, some investments offer a better return than others.

Those who are thinking about selling their home in the future should strive to get every dollar possible. Renovations can make this happen.

Garage Door Replacement

When people think about renovations, they don’t often think about the garage. Some people don’t even include their garage in their square footage because it might not be heated; however, replacing the garage door can provide a major investment return.

In some cases, the value of the garage door itself may double with a simple replacement. While some people dread the prospect of replacing a damaged garage door, even upgrading a working one can lead to a significant return!

Manufactured Stone Veneer

Stone is a popular building material because it provides a sleek look in addition to being versatile. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that a stone veneer will also provide a major investment return. For those who spend around ten thousand dollars on a stone veneer, the value of this investment may nearly double. This provides a great way to not only upgrade the home but also increase its resale value.

Entry Door Replacement

A home’s doors are incredibly important because not only do they a measure of security but also they also draw someone’s eyes. Replacing an entry door may provide an investment return of close to 90 percent. Because this job can be handled quickly by a trained professional, this can be a quick upgrade for those looking to boost the value of their home before selling it.

Plan for Warm Weather Renovations

With the weather starting to heat up, many individuals and families are looking to plan their renovation projects for the summer. Think about the projects wisely as they can have a significant impact on the value of a home. Renovations should be viewed as investments as well as upgrades for the family’s standard of living. 

03 Jul 2020
By Kevin Gahagan

Pros And Cons Of Completing Home Renovations Before Selling

Mortagage Tips

Pros And Cons Of Completing Home Renovations Before Selling

Whether you originally bought a fixer-upper or you’re just a homeowner who wanted to update their house, chances are you have seen your share of home renovations. Home renovations have the potential to greatly add to the value of your property, but they can also add to your own quality of life. Hopefully, you have completed your home renovations and gotten plenty of use out of them before listing your home for sale. 
If not, you may find yourself wanted to move before all the renovations are complete. What’s the best course of action? Should you put the time and money in to finish? Or should you cut your losses and list the home for sale? What are the pros and cons of completing home renovations before selling?
Pro: The Home May Sell Easier
Your real estate agent will be happier if your home is fully renovated. That’s because they know that the home may sell easier in a fully renovated condition. Of course, you could get a prospective DIY homebuyer eager to put their own “stamp” on the home, but that is nothing you can count on.
Con: You May Not Recoup The Extra Expenses
Not all home renovations equate to value-added improvements that you can count in your wallet. If your renovations are small things like replacing door hinges, patching a hole in the plaster, or stripping outdated wallpaper, you are unlikely to see an equal increase in what you can get for your home sale.
Pro: There Will Be Less Explaining
If you have finished the renovation, you have nothing to explain and no excuses to make to anyone. In the renovated condition, the home is what it is. Even if a prospective home buyer does not happen to like the new paint color you have chosen, they still can?t complain that it is old or worn looking. 
Con: You Will Need To Delay Your Listing
Home renovations can take up a lot of time, as you may know, if you have done a lot of them already. You will have to delay listing your home, which in turn will mean putting your moving plans on hold for what could be an extra month or two. Depending on your future plans, this could impact your child’s school entry date and more.
No one will force you to complete half-finished renovations. But consider these pros and cons before deciding how to proceed.

Whether you originally bought a fixer-upper or you’re just a homeowner who wanted to update their house, chances are you have seen your share of home renovations. Home renovations have the potential to greatly add to the value of your property, but they can also add to your own quality of life.

Hopefully, you have completed your home renovations and gotten plenty of use out of them before listing your home for sale. 

If not, you may find yourself wanted to move before all the renovations are complete. What’s the best course of action?

Should you put the time and money in to finish? Or should you cut your losses and list the home for sale?

What are the pros and cons of completing home renovations before selling?

Pro: The Home May Sell Easier
Your real estate agent will be happier if your home is fully renovated. That’s because they know that the home may sell easier in a fully renovated condition. Of course, you could get a prospective DIY homebuyer eager to put their own “stamp” on the home, but that is nothing you can count on.

Con: You May Not Recoup The Extra Expenses
Not all home renovations equate to value-added improvements that you can count in your wallet. If your renovations are small things like replacing door hinges, patching a hole in the plaster, or stripping outdated wallpaper, you are unlikely to see an equal increase in what you can get for your home sale.

Pro: There Will Be Less Explaining
If you have finished the renovation, you have nothing to explain and no excuses to make to anyone. In the renovated condition, the home is what it is. Even if a prospective home buyer does not happen to like the new paint color you have chosen, they still can?t complain that it is old or worn looking. 

Con: You Will Need To Delay Your Listing
Home renovations can take up a lot of time, as you may know, if you have done a lot of them already. You will have to delay listing your home, which in turn will mean putting your moving plans on hold for what could be an extra month or two. Depending on your future plans, this could impact your child’s school entry date and more.

No one will force you to complete half-finished renovations. But consider these pros and cons before deciding how to proceed.