The right home improvements can make you richer in the Garden State. They help build equity fast, be tax-deductible, and increase the proceeds from a property sale.
But, as always, you have to spend money to make money. Unless you can conveniently use cash to upgrade your bathroom, construct a patio, or buy a set of custom plantation shutters in NJ, you are going to rely heavily on financing. More often than not, you will be charged extra for what you borrow. Sometimes, you might wind up spending more than you initially thought for several reasons.
Below are the things that can make your home renovation loan more expensive to watch out for.
Bad Credit
Your FICO and VantageScore scores do not think for lenders, but these three-digit numbers play a vital role in the decision-making process of most creditors. If you fall into the poor credit or fair credit range, expect less power to negotiate for a better deal.
To minimize your credit risk, it is imperative to explore every avenue to increase your credit scores before you even apply. Correcting errors on your credit reports, paying off existing debts, and beating the due date of your bills are the most effective strategies.
Nonexistent Collateral
The use of valuable security does not increase your credit scores but boosts your creditworthiness. Borrowing against an asset diminishes the risk your prospective lender has to absorb by doing business with you. If you do not want to use any collateral, you can bet that your overall cost of borrowing will be high.
However, using security for your home renovation loan does not make financing cheaper by default. Some financial products come with specific charges that mostly eat into your budget. Cash-out refinance is a good case in point. The closing costs attached to this mortgage, whether you pay them upfront or not, are going to make the deal less affordable.
Long Repayment
Between two comparable home renovation loans, the one with a longer term generally has more interest. It is because the lender has to count more month to be paid and be exposed to the dangers of delinquency.
If you can manage to borrow the funds for a short period, do not ask to repay them for more time. Unless your cash will be better spent elsewhere, finish your loan ASAP to diminish its interest.
Short Repayment
Having fewer months to repay your home renovation loan can hurt your finances too. Late and missed payments can come with hefty penalties. Understand the conditions set in place by your lender to avoid all applicable fees.
Obscure Pricing
Speaking of fees, be wary of hidden costs. Surprise charges are more prevalent in in-house financing, so exercise due diligence before agreeing to any loan offered by a contractor. You should receive a detailed estimate of your loan, and its contents should be consistent with those stated in the contract to protect yourself from bill shock.
Knowing what makes the lender tick matters when comparing home renovation loans. As long as you understand what they like and do not like, you can put yourself in an excellent position to negotiate for a favorable deal.
