Advise on finding the Best Home Improvement Loans
Christmas has gone, the new year is upon us and it’s time to put our plans for 2016 into action. It’s this time of year, many of us will be thinking about planning Home Improvements, whether it’s replacing a tired old kitchen, installing a new bathroom or planning for a new extension. For many of us, financing this will be the only way and you will no doubt be looking to find the best home improvement loans for your situation. Making improvements to your home is an expensive undertaking, however wisely chosen improvements are likely to add value to your property.
There are many ways you could fund your home improvements by utilising savings or borrowing. If you haven’t had the chance to save up for your home improvement project, but are keen to get started right away, then a home improvement loan could be an option.
Not sure what types of home improvements will add the most value to your home? Surveys show that homebuyers like to see:
- New kitchens and bathrooms
- Parking spaces and garages
- Fuel-efficient features, like double glazing
Get started by checking if you’re eligible for an energy grant 7 from the government. If you are, you can use it to help improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Extra space is always popular with buyers, so home extensions, loft conversions and conservatories are popular improvements to make. But don’t assume your outlay will automatically translate into an increase in the value of your home when you sell. And make sure you go for quality, because home improvements done badly can devalue your property.
If you’re not sure about planning permissions and building regulations, use the government’s interactive planning portal 8 . It breaks down home improvements by each area and feature of your home, so you can easily understand what you’re undertaking.
Savvy home improvements
Home is where we relax with our loved ones and recover from a long week at work, so making it look and feel how we want is a priority. There are many ways you can invest in your home to add comfort, style and value.
Home Improvements can cover many areas from painting and decoration through to major building works. Whatever you do to improve the look and feel of your home, is likely to add value. Research thoroughly and ensure you get the best price for parts and labour, stretching any home improvement loan you take, as far as possible.
Install a new kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of every home and as such, is widely recognised as the place to start when adding value to your home. Make sure you carefully plan your kitchen and choose a style and design that will appeal to a potential future buyer.
Loft conversions
This is a great design decision for homeowners who have loft space but no idea what to do with it. By turning it into another bedroom or play area, you could add value to your home.
Exterior home improvements
Replacing windows, doors and re-painting will all help and, if you have one, tidying up the garden. You could even give your windows a makeover by adding shutters to the outside and framing them with some hanging baskets.
Give your garden a makeover
In the summer months, there’s nothing better than sitting outside and enjoying the sunshine in a beautifully groomed garden – especially if you enjoy having friends and family over for barbecues and other celebrations. New patio, decked areas, planters will add to the appearance and saleability of your home.
Add an extra bathroom
Not only is a second (or even a third) bathroom a luxury you’ll wonder how you ever lived without, it’s also likely to provide a healthy boost to the value of your house. Furthermore, you’ll have the chance to start from scratch with the interior, and design a bathroom that totally caters to your needs.
Second-hand buys
Kitting out your home with new furniture and decorative pieces may sound like an expensive process, but if you’re happy with buying some items second hand then the cost will be dramatically reduced. You’d be surprised at the quality of furniture in many second hand stores, plus it’ll create room in your budget for other investments.
Re-style your interior
The easiest way to revamp your home is by giving it new decor. If you’ve gone for a neutral approach in the past, you could try featuring bold colours on your walls or in statement furniture pieces. Or, if you’re used to using bright shades and patterns, why not try a more stripped-back look?
Declutter
Having a big clearout can go a long way to making your house feel more homely. It also helps to create space that you can either fill with shiny new pieces that go with your new decor, or embrace to give your home a minimalist feel. What’s more, if you’re looking to sell, the less clutter there is lying about, the more impressed potential buyers will be when wandering around your home.
Arrow Loans Best Home Improvement Loans
Arrow Loans are a Direct Lender and provide a flexible lending for UK Homeowners. Where others might reject you based on your employment status, earning levels and frequency or possible ‘blemishes’ in your credit history, we look at lending in a more flexible way. Decisions can be made swiftly and we charge no up front fee’s, plus you avoid any 3rd party costs or commissions.