The following articles were authored by UnitedCash

The Definitive Guide to Plantation Shutters: What You Need to Know

By on November 7, 2023

As a homeowner, you want to make the best choices when it comes to home decor and functionality. Plantation shutters are an attractive and versatile option for many rooms in your house. They provide privacy, control the amount of natural light, enhance the architectural details of your space, and increase energy efficiency. However, with so many materials, styles, and customization options to consider, choosing plantation shutters can be an overwhelming process. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to find the perfect plantation shutters for your home. We’ll explore the different materials like wood, composite, and vinyl, the various styles from full-height to tier-on-tier, how to measure for and install your new shutters, and tips for maximizing their benefits. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to make an informed decision about this timeless window treatment.

What Are Plantation Shutters?

Plantation shutters are interior window coverings made of horizontal slats of wood, vinyl, or composite materials. The slats are connected by vertical rails and can be tilted open and closed. They allow for light and privacy control.

Originally used on plantations in the American South, plantation shutters have become popular for home decor. They suit many architectural styles and come in a range of prices.

Wooden shutters made of basswood, poplar or mahogany are the most traditional. Vinyl and composite shutters offer lower maintenance but may not achieve the same custom look.

Shutters can be installed within the window frame (inset) or on the wall around the window (full height). Inset shutters maximize light and views when open. Full height shutters cover the entire window area for enhanced light control and design impact.

The slats, known as louvers, are usually 2 to 3.5 inches wide. Wider louvers allow for optimal light control and airflow. Narrower louvers provide more privacy. The slats can be left stationary or made movable for adjustable light control.

Plantation shutters enhance privacy, reduce heat gain, and add architectural detail to homes. They are a timeless and versatile choice for any window. With options for DIY installation or professional custom design, plantation shutters suit most budgets and styles.

The Benefits of Installing Plantation Shutters

Installing plantation shutters in your home offers several benefits. 

Increased Energy Efficiency

Plantation shutters provide insulation, helping to regulate the temperature in your home. When closed, they form an effective barrier against heat and cold transfer through windows. In the winter, they help retain heat inside the home. In the summer, they block heat and sunlight from entering, reducing the load on your HVAC system. This can lower your energy bills and increase the comfort of your living space.

Enhanced Privacy and Light Control

Plantation shutters give you maximum control over the amount of light and privacy in your home. You can adjust the louvers to let in as much or as little light as needed. When fully closed, they provide complete window coverage for maximum privacy. They are also very durable and long-lasting.

Improved Aesthetic Appeal

Plantation shutters enhance the appearance of any home with their classic, stylish look. They are custom made to fit your windows precisely, providing a clean-lined, custom appearance. The wood material options, like mahogany, poplar and basswood, allow you to choose a shade that matches your home’s decor.

Increased Property Value

Plantation shutters are highly desirable and add curb appeal, which can significantly increase your home’s resale value. They are considered a premier window treatment and upgrading to them is an investment that can pay off later.

In summary, installing plantation shutters in your home can save you money, enhance comfort, provide privacy, and even boost your property value, all while maintaining an attractive appearance. They are a practical yet stylish choice for any home.

This entry is filed under business, Guest Post and tagged , .

Here’s When It’s Time To Hire A Structural Engineer During Your Home Renovation

By on July 11, 2020

When you are renovating your home, you need to make sure that you do everything perfectly. You cannot afford to hire an engineer after everything has been done improperly. You should make sure that you know when to hire someone, how to hire someone, and when they will be most helpful. Continue reading to learn what can be done so that you have an understanding of how this works. The structural engineer could be the most important part of the process.

You Need A Safe Design

Pedram Zohrevand thinks that you should hire a structural engineer when you believe that you do not know how to complete the design safely. A structural engineer can consult while the design is completed, and they can help you make sure that you have designed something that will not need to be repaired in the future.

The Engineer Directs The Work

When you are doing a major renovation, you should ask the structural engineer to direct all the work that needs to be done. The engineer will work with the contractor, and they will explain how the work can be done efficiently. It is very simple for you to make changes to your design with help from the structural engineer, and the engineer will notice any problems that you might have during the job.

The Engineer Can Review Or Inspect The Property

The structural engineer is going to need to inspect the home and property. They can show you what needs to be done to a historic home, and they will show you what can be done to save the house. In other cases, the house may need to have the foundation shored up. The foundation must be repaired before you continue.

If you are buying a house with additions, you might need to shore up the addition. You may need to make changes to the interior of the addition because the weight of the house is not supported properly. A structural engineer can order the changes that are needed, and you can get that work done before you continue with the job.

The Engineer Knows How To Help Choose Properties

When you are renovating a home, you may want an engineer to review the property before you begin. There are issues with the landscaping and soil that you may need to consider before starting the job. The engineer can show you why that property is not a safe place to buy a house. You may need to spend a lot of extra money on the soil and landscaping, or you might discover that the house will continue to slip off the foundation because of the soil that is present.

This consultation might be even more important when the home is near water. The soil near the coast or a riverbank might be very loose, and you need the home to be shored up before it can be renovated. Because you consulted with a professional engineer, you will not need to worry about losing the house to fairly common light flooding.

Which Materials Should You Use?

You need to make sure that you have chosen the proper material for each job. The engineer can tell you why you should use certain materials to get the job done, and the engineer also knows which materials have worked in the past. This means that the engineer can show you other homes or buildings that used these materials. The engineer can explain how those materials will work in your building, and you will learn how simple it is to make these changes.

When you are trying to save money, it is very simple to choose the product that you know will be affordable. It can be hard to know if you can afford the products that you need, but you can work with the engineer to find the manufacturer that will give you the best prices.

It is also important that your engineer sits down with the contractor to explain the materials that should be used. You want the contractor to sign off on these materials, and they need to be prepared to use them. It is very simple for the engineer to explain to the contractor what can be done, and the contractor can work with the engineer until the work is done.

Work With An Engineer Today

You can work with an engineer today to get the best possible results as you renovate your structures, buildings, or home. Pedram Zohrevand says that you need an engineer to meet with the contractor so that everyone is prepared to do the job correctly, and you also need to have an engineer explain how the property will impact your decisions. Some properties are not fit for homes, and others need to be shored up before you can begin. Do all of this at the engineer’s discretion

This entry is filed under Commentary and tagged .

How To Effectively Access The Value Of Your Real Estate Investments

By on June 15, 2020

When you have invested in real estate, you need to know how to access the value in all your investments. You may not realize that all your investments can be used in different ways to make money or even borrow money. There are a few tips listed below that explain how to access the value in your investments. You can work with partners, bankers, and buyers to continually access cash from properties you own.

Improve, Improve, Improve

David Ebrahimzadeh suggests that you make improvements to the properties that you have invested in. When you make improvements to these properties, you can access their increased value. For example, a property that has $100,000 of improvements might rise in value by $500,000. You will make an extra $400,000 if you sell the property.

If you do not sell the property, you can cite the increased value of the property when raising the rent. You are accessing cash in one of two very simple ways, and you can continue to make extra money from the property if you are improving and raising the value consistently.

Sell

You can sell the property when you would like to make money after holding onto it for some time. When you sell a property, you plan to make a lump-sum figure that allows you to pay off the debts on the property and make extra cash.

You should work with a broker who can help you find the best buyer, secure the highest bid, and make the most money.

Leverage The Value Of The Property

When you own real estate, you can leverage the value of the property to get a loan for other properties. You might want to use the value of the property when you would like a new loan, and you could use the potential value of the property to get a construction or remodeling loan.

Leveraging the value of the property is a good way to continue working on other investments. This may be the easiest way for you to invest in more real estate. You may also want to use the value of the property to entice more people to invest. For example, you can show an investor how much the value is worth, how much the value can rise, and how much you need to make the property even more profitable.

Sublet Your Home Or Condo

David Ebrahimzadeh recommends that people sublet their homes or condos when they move. There is no reason to sell if you do not need the money right away, and you can access more cash in the home when you are collecting rent from your tenants. Subletting is a quick and easy way for people to make money on a property, and you could hold onto a home or condo for many years without selling.

When you are subletting homes or condos, you do not need to sell them. Your tenants will pay them off, and you can sell off the property when you are ready to retire. Many investors use these properties as a retirement plan because they can sell them off quickly when they want to stop working.

Offer More Options To Tenants And Customers

When you are investing in real estate, you need to give your tenants and customers as many options as possible. You may own an office building or apartment complex, and you should offer more than empty spaces for clients and tenants. You might offer furnished apartments to corporate clients. You might offer shared workspaces for companies, and you could make new spaces for companies that would like to open restaurants, bars, and several other businesses that would thrive in the area.

When you offer more options for tenants and customers, you will attract more clients. As the property becomes more popular, you can begin to raise the rent. The value of the property will rise, and you will continue to make money over time. These properties could be so valuable that you will get offers to sell that you cannot refuse.

Conclusion

As you plan to invest your money in real estate, you also need to know how to access the value of your properties. You can invest in properties that will make quite a lot of money in the future, and you can invest in a home that you owned or lived in in the past. You can sublet to make money, and you can sell your properties if you like. You also have the option to leverage the cash value of the property at any time

This entry is filed under business and tagged .

Jeff English NJ Gives 5 Tips For Qualifying For a Mortgage As a Freelance Graphic Designer

By on June 3, 2020

Working as a freelance graphic designer comes with many benefits like more freedom, flexibility, and the convenience to work when and where you want. Freelance work is becoming more and more popular in today’s society. There are currently about 56 million freelance workers today in the United States. While it is becoming more popular because of the many benefits that it offers there are also some downsides. One of the most frustrating things that a freelance worker must deal with is the ability to get a mortgage.

When working as a freelance graphic designer you typically do not have a steady income. You likely get hired from one form and then another. You may bounce around from job to job because the work you do is not full time. This often results in banks and other financial instructions not wanting to give you a loan because your work history is sporadic. Here are some of the tips that a popular and reputable freelance graphic designer, Jeffrey English NJ gives to help other freelancers qualify for a mortgage.

#1) Look For Lenders that Offer Self-Certified Mortgages

One of the best ways to secure a mortgage is through a lender who offers self- certified mortgages. These mortgages allow you to certify your own income and find a budget that you can afford. You can bring all of your income records to the financial institution and they can help you find a mortgage that is right for you.

One key thing to remember is that not all financial institutions will offer this type of mortgage. These mortgages are often at a higher interest rate, which can be a little more expensive than traditional mortgages. The more financial records that you have the less risk there is for the financial institution and the lower your rate may be.

#2) Bring At Least 2 Years of Income Returns

One crucial thing that all freelancers need to have is proof of two years of income. Showing that you have had constant or adequate work for the last two years helps give the financial institution confidence in your ability to pay your loan. The more records that you have the less risk there is for the bank. While people that have had a steady income for a few years will likely only need sixty days of pay stubs, freelancers are in a different situation and will need more records.

#3) Shop Around

One of the best things you can do before getting a mortgage, according to Jeffrey English NJ, is to shop around at different lenders. Be careful not to let each lender run your credit because this could have adverse effects. The more hard checks you have inot your credit the worse your credit will go. You should explain your financial situation and work history to each lender, bring necessary paperwork, and give them a rough estimate of what your credit score is.

If each financial insulation has this information they should be able to give you enough information about what type of loan they can provide you with. Shopping around for a mortgage allows you to find the best possible loan for you and your family.

#4) Ask Family To Co-Sign With You

If you are having a lot of trouble getting a loan because of your freelance career you may want to ask a family member to co-sign your loan for you. Asking a family member that you trust and respect to cosign a loan for you may help you get a very good offer and a loan that is better than you could have gotten on your own. Do not ask a family member that you do not trust because this could cause problems in the future.

#5) Wait

If you really are unable to secure a mortgage using these tips the best thing you may be able to do is to wait. Waiting until you have a steady income or have the necessary two years of work income may be your best option. There is no need to rush into buying a home if you are not fully qualified. Rushing into a home could cause you to do more than you need to.

If you are a freelance graphic designer it may be difficult to secure a mortgage. While you are able to get work and provide a steady income for you and your family, many financial institutions are still not comfortable lending to freelance. These tips can help you secure a loan

This entry is filed under business and tagged .

How to Continue Building Your Real Estate Empire During a Pandemic

By on April 7, 2020

There are curve balls being thrown into every industry on the planet. Real estate is not immune. But good ideas and innovations are coming out of the crisis. People are not willing to give up business or buying homes.

But, according to Rusty Tweed the logistics are the issue. The main arena where selling takes place is inside the home where the agent does their best work. How can you lose the magic of the home staging process during a pandemic?

The way to win in the Real estate business right now and continue to build your empire is thinking about standing out. People are going to want to connect. Be the Real estate company or agent that is seen and taking care of business. We do this with these few, simple and common-sense steps below.

1. Keep them Informed:

If you’re not selling then put yourself out there as a helpful safe space in the COVID 19 disaster. Create a page on your website especially for this. Then, create a free downloadable report providing guidelines for staying safe during the outbreak. Make sure there are internal links from that report and the landing page to your blog. Te blog should cover helpful things apart from germ warfare.

Tell people how to set up their home office, how to handle their kids being at home while you work in creative ways. Go as far as recipes for feeding your household at this time. Since you compete in your area, maybe research and tell others where to find food and supplies. Anything they can turn to you for is a good thing and will keep you in their mind says Rusty Tweed.

2. Stay Relevant:

Consider every way you can stay in the face of your clients and potentials. Use every platform you’re on consistently. Provide information where necessary. Do live FB or IG video to answer questions live. Start a watch party on an informative video. Start a YouTube channel and invite people to it. Make sure there are lines of communication open and your clients have your number and email.

Allow them to get in touch with you whenever they have a question. Remember that people are looking for comfort even when they don’t that’s what they’re doing. Be the person they go to when they’re concerned about the impact the virus will have on buying or selling their homes. Comfort them in a way they can trust. Always be honest. This means that in times to come, they can trust you and that means a lot for your reputation.

3. Use Technology To Show Homes:

The virtual world is a blessing for all of us in so many ways. Real estate agents are able to use this to show homes. Make sure you get the seller’s permission and show homes with a 3D panoramic view. Most people want to be there for certain stage in the home buying or selling process like inspections and such. For this, you can plan and take precautions. But, for showing homes you need not wait. Most people don’t mind viewing their homes of interest online. It also gives you the opportunity to FaceTime or Skype or Zoom conference with your people. They’ll appreciate it and it shows your dedication to your business.

4. Automate your Tech Platforms:

As we said before, social media is a must for times like these. In fact, it’s more necessary. It will be the most important part of the connection between you and your clients. If you need to be doing other things or have kids and added responsibilities then make sure you have a platform like Hootesuite or ones that have a nominal monthly fee or free trials and time out your posts. You can also go to Upwork or Fiverr and get someone to do the social media management for you.

The most important thing to remember is that people are looking for comfort and leadership. These are the only reason why you are doing the posting and serving at a time like this. People are still concerned about their own interests and they’re still afraid of change. The unknown seems to be right in our face now. So, you have to be the one that’s the light at the end of the tunnel. Out of this, we believe, everyone finds their tribe. Be sure that you put your best foot forward to attract yours by showing that you care and you’re the real estate agent for the people

This entry is filed under business and tagged .

How Much Does a Closing Attorney Cost?

By on January 18, 2020

Purchasing a new home can be a dream come true for many people. When you have found that dream house you have been searching for your whole life, and you want to lock it down, then you may want to consider hiring a casing attorney.

They will make it os that one you have signed all the necessary papers and be given that key that everything is to your liking.

In this article, we will be going over a few things that you should know about the closing prices, such as how much you will need to pay for their services and what exactly you will have to pay.

Of you would like to learn more about the legal arena that is the law, then feel free to reach out to Douglas Healy.

The law can be complicated, but once you have a bit of a grasp on it, you will discover that it is not as challenging as you initially had thought.

With this said, let us dive into the article, shall we?

How Much Does a Closing Attorney Cost?

The average price for closing a house is around 2 to 5%. This can sit anywhere between $5k to $12k for houses that are ranged in the $250k mark.

Now, of course, this is all subject to change, as the number of houses is not FIXED. However, this is to give you a better understanding of what you will be expected to pay.

This is why researching for a closing attorney that is both effective and affordable is quite beneficial for you.

How Much Are The Average Closing Cost Cases?

As we have just shown, the average price for these services is usually around $5k to $12.5K. However, these prices are always subject to change.

What Are The Closing Cost For Buyer Fees?

One-Time Fees

  • Reinspection fee
  • Credit application
  • Homeowners association transfer fees
  • Mortgage origination fee
  • Home inspection fee (optional)
  • Courier fee
  • Escrow fee
  • Bank processing fee
  • Loan discount points
  • Appraisal fee
  • Notary fee
  • The credit report
  • Recording fee
  • The credit supplement fees
  • Lender’s title insurance policy (this is an optional owner’s title insurance)
  • Closing attorney fee

Recurring Fees

  • Property taxes and tax servicing fees
  • Mortgage insurance premiums
  • Homeowners insurance
  • Flood certification fee

Can These Prices Be Negotiated?

YES! Yes, they can. If you are looking at all the payments that you will have to pay love and are getting a bit concerned, stop.

As we have listed above, many of these prices are one time fees, and the other recurring payments are not as numerous as the one-time fees.

And the best thing out of this is that you will be able to negotiate how much you will be paying for the fees.

This makes the whole process with a closing attorney that much more amicable, and this makes the whole process easier to handle.

However, when you are focusing on getting your dream house, the prices and this whole process are not that bad as they are getting you closer to your house.

What You Can Do To Reduce The Cost?

Here are a few things you can do to reduce the costs of the fees you have to pay.

You can:

  • Search for various closing agents
  • Utilize any military benefits you may have had
  • Ask the seller to pay your closing cost

Learn More Here

If you would like to learn more feel free to reach out to Douglas Healy to learn more. The more you learn, the easier it will be to find and defend yourself if you ever get caught up in a legal dispute

This entry is filed under Money and tagged .

4 Ways To Borrow Money And Properly Invest It

By on January 10, 2020

Jason Vanclef

It’s natural when you think about investing in trying and coming up with ways to finance your deals. For most people, the concept of borrowing money to invest is enticing. After all, as long as the investment profits exceed the borrowing costs, it’s the same as earning free cash.

Understand the Risks

In the financial world, professionals aren’t afraid to “invest the loan” as long as the numbers work in their favor. Determining that requires a deep dive into all the particulars. It’s easy to become overly excited about the prospects of investments. That’s why many people will check with consultants or accountants for valuations. A third party professional will take an impassionate approach to analyze the numbers. If they add up, using a loan may be an option.

Buying on Margin Is a Standard Play

Buying stocks on margin is a form of borrowing that empowers investors to control more shares than their current cash value allows. The benefit is that if it’s a winning trade, the person receives a much higher payout. The drawback is that losses also get more prominent when using margin.

Buying shares using margin was once a technique used only by professionals. Now, it’s exceptionally commonplace, and many people routinely do it for trading. However, the process still requires a thorough understanding of the particulars of the deal to determine if it’s viable.

Borrowing Against Home Equity Is an Option

Some investors may decide to tap into their home’s equity. Some banks make the process easy and offer realistic rates that might make the deal worthwhile. Naturally, it’s crucial to way this move against the potential risks of loss. According to Jason Vanclef, it’s reasonable to borrow against home equity when the opportunity for profits is high.

These types of loans have several strong points, but be wary of having too much debt relative to your income. If there’s room to spare and the investment passes muster, borrowing against your home is an option.

Consider the Merits of Any Loan for Investment Deal

It’s easy to get excited about the prospect of making money on an investment. Nothing beats passive income, so it’s understandable to show enthusiasm. However, tap in your left brain, too, and do the analytical math required to parse your potential.

  • How high are the interest rates? A bad deal won’t work because potential profits will be eaten up by interest.
  • What’s your current level of debt? If you’re drowning in debt, it may not be wise to use more of the same to finance investments.
  • Can you pay back the loan without issues? It’s worth considering how the loan will impact you if the investment stalls. Can you still repay the loan? If not, you may want to pass.

If you’re thinking about putting a significant amount of money into an investment, you may want to vet the idea with an impartial professional like Jason Vanclef. An accountant or investment consultant will take a clinical look at the financials and give you an opinion that they don’t base on emotion, but instead on cold, hard financial calculations. Doing so makes a difference because it changes the equation to only doing the deal because it makes sense. That way, you’re much more likely to gain a decent return so that you can pay off whichever loan you took.

This entry is filed under Money and tagged .

A Simple Guide to Sales Tax Nexus

By on December 31, 2019

It is easy to get confused by sales tax as they are explained with complex terms in the government website and often in various websites the guides are also as elaborate. It is important to keep things simple in order to understand sales tax nexus. It is very important for a business owner to know about sales tax nexus and the sales tax law. Nexus has been made applicable to any business now that has either a physical store or a digital store or both. The laws are important to understand if you want to properly conduct business in a state.

How nexus started

The law of nexus was introduced on 21st June 2018. The law of nexus was passed after the Wayfair sales tax case. In the Wayfair sales tax case, the decision was passed in favor of the state after which nexus became applicable in digital sales as well and many states implemented this law in their territory as well. The new sales tax law was implemented in 40 different states in the USA and more states are thinking about implementing the law of nexus as well. Nexus is very important to know about for a business owner.

Multiple types of sales tax

There are many different types of nexus on which sales tax is applicable. Nexus is applicable if you own a physical store and you do sales using the physical store. Another common type of nexus is called click-through nexus where it is necessary to pay tax when there is a sale using any website or link. If you hire any individual or organization to divert sales through your website then it falls under click-through sales. Affiliate nexus is also a popular kind of nexus where you hire an individual or a company to make sales and earn commissions. The state applies a tax on the commission as well which is called affiliate nexus. You would need to pay tax on any sales that are generated through your website or using any other online media as well.

How to calculate sales tax

It is important to do sales tax calculation and add the tax to the selling price of the product. You can either hire someone else for this task. Sales tax outsourcing is a very common solution where you can hire an individual to calculate the taxes for you. Many big companies do sales tax outsourcing so they can find out how much tax they would owe to the state. You can also do the task yourself. A sales tax calculator can help you do your taxes easily. You can also get a sales tax calculator on the website easily. It is necessary to do a sales tax deduction for calculating the original profit that you make from the product. When you want to calculate your profit you should do a sales tax deduction. You can add the tax that you owe to the government to the price of the product.

It is very important for a businessman to stay updated on the laws of sales tax. They can change and the laws might vary from one state to another. If you are selling online to another state then you need to know about the laws of sales tax of that state

This entry is filed under Money and tagged .

Should You Take Out a Loan to Cover Your Dock Construction Project?

By on December 17, 2019

A dock or waterfront deck is a handy area for boats of many sizes. Pull up to the deck, moor your vessel in place and you’re ready for a break on land. If you’re considering a new construction project for your waterfront deck, researching financing options is commonplace. Take a look at whether or not you should take out a loan for your project. Everyone will have unique needs in this department.

Adding Value to the Property

Taking out any type of loan requires careful consideration of the project at hand. Dock construction will add value to your property. As long as it’s maintained over the years, it ends up being a major highlight to your property when selling time arrives.

The key to any project is balancing reasonable costs with a quality finished product. Hiring professionals and picking the best materials, such as products from Decks & Docks Lumber Company, will make any waterfront landing a gorgeous addition to your property. Opting for a loan means that you have enough money for the right installers and proper materials. Anything less can reduce the project’s value.

Exploring Your Financing Options

According to Home Advisor, a dock might cost more than $20,000, depending on a variety of factors. Exploring financing options is the most important step before even hiring installers.

Visit your bank as a first step. They can point you toward a financing option that works for this project. Adding a waterfront landing to your property isn’t exactly defined as a home-improvement project. Financing might fall under construction, lifestyle or even personal loans.

Some homeowners might opt for a home-equity loan to pay for the project. Every person will have a unique situation so talking to banking representatives will help to narrow down the options.

Looking at Your Credit

A loan is a clever resource that adds to your property’s value over time, but think about your credit history first. If you have poor credit, applying for a loan and being declined is possible. The application itself may be a negative item that’s added to your credit history.

Examine your credit report before officially applying for a loan. Clean up any items that don’t apply or aren’t correct, such as a credit card that’s no longer in your name. With a clean history, applying for a loan and being accepted is possible.

Working With the Contractor

Some dock construction contractors may have financing options of their own. Speaking to your material supplier, such as Decks & Docks Lumber Company, can be a smart place to start. These professionals know contractors in the business that might have financing options attached to their services.

Remember that the contractor will ultimately install the dock, but there are other financial obligations that you must consider afterward. Insuring the structure is an absolute must to protect your investment, reports American Family Insurance. Take every financial aspect of this project into consideration before applying for a loan.

Be patient with the project’s progress. There may be challenges ahead, but an experienced contractor can overcome them. A waterfront deck will slowly arise along the shore to serve your property for years to come.

This entry is filed under Money and tagged .

Can You Take Out a Loan to Remodel Your Bathroom?

By on December 14, 2019

Remodeling the bathroom is one of the best ways to improve your home’s value. Finding the funds to pay for the remodel might be a challenge. Luckily, there are plenty of financial options available today to make that dream bathroom a possibility. You can take out a number of different loans for this project, depending on your budget, goals and credit history.

Loans and Your Credit History

You’ve decided to install a Kohler LuxStone shower, but paying for this upgrade has you turning to loans. It makes sense to borrow money to ultimately make more money from your investment in the home. Before you apply for any type of loan, look at your credit history.

Clear up any mistakes or old data from the history. When you apply for a loan, banks will pull this information. You want a clear history so that you gain a low interest rate.

Home Equity

Obtaining a home-equity loan on your New Orleans property is a common choice for bathroom remodeling. You can take out several thousand dollars based on the home’s value. The bank will determine this amount. It’s funded in a bulk amount so that you can pay for everything upfront.

HELOC

A HELOC stands for home equity line of credit. It’s distinctly different than an outright loan. HELOCs work more like a credit card to finance that Kohler LuxStone shower. Your bank gives you a line of credit based on the loan-to-value ratio of the Baton Rouge property, reports This Old House. Borrow up to the maximum credit line for about 10 years. You pay back the loan at that point over several decades.

Personal Loans

Your Baton Rouge bathroom remodel may be a major endeavor, but your equity is lacking right now. Contacting your bank about personal loans is an option. Ask about any loans that are specific to home improvement. These loans will still fall under the “personal” category, but the bank may have some attractive options with low interest rates.

Avoid personal loans that have questionable rates, such as adjustable types. The interest might surprise you with expensive bills later on.

Government Options

Bank Rate mentions government loans that may apply to your situation. HUD and veteran departments, for example, might have loans for a remodel at your New Orleans home. These loans are specific to certain situations, so you’ll need to perform some research.

Many of these loans are offered as low or no interest types. Call a few departments to see if you qualify for any funds. The pay off is low-cost funds to improve your home’s value.

Refinancing

If you’ve held a home loan for many years, it might be time to refinance. In essence, you roll the mortgage balance into a new loan with a lower interest rate. At the same time, you pull a certain amount of money from the equity so that you can pay for the bathroom remodel.

Any costs are minimal because they’re built into the refinanced loan. You can start with the remodel as soon as the loan is funded.

Be realistic about the remodel when it comes to the surrounding neighborhood. Don’t overimprove a bathroom in a low-price neighborhood, for example. Match the upgrades to the area so that you recoup the costs and pay back the loan in little time .

This entry is filed under Money and tagged .

Older Entries »