Home Improvement projects are extremely popular somewhat due to the growth of TV series and designer shows. While smaller projects are the most popular, such as painting and decorating, all home improvement projects are on the rise especially in our present economy. The savvy shopper will not only shop around for the best deal on materials and supplies, but on home improvement loans as well.

There are many reasons why people seek a home improvement loan. The most obvious being these projects can cost a considerable amount of money and not many of us have that amount of money sitting around.

Here are several ways of getting a Home Improvement loan:

1. Personal Loans: Most home owners get the money they need for their home improvement project through a personal loan. This can save thousands in interest payments. Though this is the mostly widely preferred type of loan for this, the interest rates are subject to market conditions.

2. Home Equity Loans: A Home Equity Loan allows you to borrow against the value of your home and is also one of the smartest ways to finance home improvements. Though one major drawback is that if you default on your payment, you run the risk of losing your home. Therefore paying these loans back in a responsible manner is an absolute must.

3. Bank Loans: Regular Consumer Bank Loans come in handy as home improvement loans. This is especially true for home owners who need to borrow relatively small amounts of money without much paperwork or delay. These loans usually need to be paid back within a few years, rather than a longer period of time.

4. Dealer financing: Whatever type of home improvement you want to get done whether it’s a new furnace or have some doors replaced, or a new kitchen or bathroom, or any other, the dealer from whom you buy the goods will probably finance you. You will also find this type of loan to be inclusive of very high interest rates.

5. Secured loan: Secured loan or second mortgage can be taken out as secured loan against the equity of your property. This will enable you to take out a more substantial home improvement loan than you would get with an unsecured loan. With this type of loan you can also enjoy lower monthly repayments and better interest rates.

6. Home Improvement Mortgage Refinance: Many homeowners are refinancing their mortgage to lock it in at an attractive long term fixed interest rate. They then can use the extra money to pay for their remodeling project. With this type of home improvement loan, you will be repaying it over the next 20 or 30 years, and the interest is tax deductible. However, the drawback is that over that period of time the accumulated interest can be quite significant.

7. Low interest fixed rate loans: Homeowners, including those who have little or no equity in their property, may be eligible for a low interest fixed rate home improvement loan to fund repairs.

Which ever way you choose to meet your home improvement loan needs it should suit your budget and timeline. Look for monthly payments you can easily manage, and an interest rate and schedule of repayment that meets both your short and long term goals.

home exterior, interior | 3 Comments »

If you have vinyl siding on your home, you already know some of its benefits: easy maintenance, durability and versatility. Since its introduction in the 1960s, vinyl siding has grown in popularity to become the number one choice of exterior cladding across the United States and Canada. In fact, U.S. Census figures show twice as many homeowners choose to side their homes with vinyl than any other material.

But if you want to give your house a colorful facelift, you may think your options are limited. Not any longer.

If you had asked this question several years ago, I don’t think you would have liked the answer. But fortunately, there have been some major breakthroughs in the paint and coatings industry. Several new exterior paints are available that have been formulated to stick to vinyl siding. They perform so well that the paint manufacturers offer a long term warranty so long as you follow the paint label instructions.

Painting vinyl siding is challenging for several reasons. One of the major reasons is vinyl siding expands and contracts significantly as it experiences periods of exposure to sunlight and then periods of shade or darkness. This movement of the siding caused traditional exterior paints to fail in short order as the bond between the paint and the siding was severed by this constant back and forth movement.

Sherwin-Williams has one of these paints specifically formulated for vinyl siding, the new VinylSafe Color Technology. It makes changing the color of a vinyl-sided home as easy and good as painting anything else. And, luckily, paint is the most cost-effective approach to changing the appearance of a home.

Today, home owners who want to enhance the curb appeal of their homes make a statement or even increase its value and color can do it. Traditionally, white, or lighter colors were “safe choices” for trying to paint vinyl siding. That’s because these shades reflect the sun’s rays, which keeps the siding from buckling. But today’s homeowners are more interested in color than ever before – including vivid, bright and deep hues. This can be seen in home-decorating magazines and television programs, or even on the house next door. A broader spectrum of exterior colors is being used to complement various architectural styles or regional influences.

This new VinylSafe Color Technology from Sherwin-Williams makes it possible for even the vivid, darker exterior colors to be easily applied over light-colored vinyl, without the fear of the siding warping or buckling. With the advanced computerized color matching that a lot of stores offer today, you can have virtually any custom color you choose.

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, the experts at any neighborhood paint store can provide you with personalized assistance to help you feel confident tackling your vinyl siding painting project yourself. If you’d rather call in the pros, your local paint store can probably help connect you with professional painters in your area.

If you care about your home’s appearance and want to freshen it up – as even vinyl siding can eventually lose its fresh appearance, or become marred, stained or discolored. Then make sure you buy quality exterior paint specifically formulated to paint vinyl, preferably with the VinylSafe Color Technology in order to complete your project. While it’s true that ordinary paints may last only about four years, an application of top quality paint can last 10 years or more on vinyl siding.

home exterior | No Comments »