Home maintenanceSelling Your Home April 7, 2023

Finding the finances to fund that renovation

Whether you are renovating to stay in your home or getting it ready to sell, finding the financing for the work is the first job.

It could be an out dated kitchen, an overrun backyard or unusable basement space. Whatever the project or projects you have in mind, the first thing you have to consider is how you are going to finance it. Here are the most common options to make your dreams become a reality:

Cash

Paying in cash is the most straightforward financing option, just save until you have enough money to cover the expenses. This will help eliminate spending outside your budget; however, it can also extend your timeline.

Mortgage refinance

If you’ve been making payments on your home for a few years and your interest rate is higher than current market rates, you may be eligible for a mortgage refinance, reducing your payments and freeing up some money.

Cash-out refinance

You can tap into your home equity and borrow up to 80 percent of your home’s value to pay off your current mortgage plus take out more cash to cover the renovations. This option is encouraged only when you’re making improvements that will increase the value of your home, as it can add a lot of interest and fees.

Home equity

Getting a home equity line of credit allows you to borrow money against the value of your home. You receive usually up to 80 percent of your home’s value, minus the amount of your loan.

Retirement funds

Homeowners can consider pulling money from a 401K or IRA account, even though they aren’t specifically meant to cover a home renovation. This option might incur additional penalties or tax payments, but may be worth it when making improvements that will benefit them financially in the long run.