Thursday 15 September 2011

How to Fund Fantastic Home Improvement Projects

Home improvement is the aim of almost every homeowner and it is a sensible goal to have. There are numerous benefits to improving the state of your home, such as comfort for instance. Investing in new furniture or adapting your house to make it more practical can add to the overall feeling of comfort and this can only be a good thing.

Another reason for undertaking a home improvement project is to make your home look more attractive. Your house, cottage or apartment should be a place where you absolutely love spending time and the better it looks, the more you should enjoy being there.

Home improvement is also a wise decision as it can significantly increase the value of your property. An extension or conservatory, for example, could add thousands to the value of a home.

This last point leads on to another advantage of making the most of your home, and that is appeal to potential future buyers. If you have enhanced your house with a new bathroom or other improvement, it is likely to be more appealing to a buyer and as mentioned could fetch a higher price when you are ready to sell.

How can you improve your home?


There is a multitude of ways to enhance a home, both inside and out. From the garden to the attic there are home improvement projects that could be undertaken, and with that in mind here are a few ideas to mull over:

  • Install a new bathroom – if your bathroom is a dated and dingy space in which it is impossible to feel truly pampered, perhaps a new installation is just what your property needs.
  • Build an extension onto your home – perhaps you have a growing family or maybe you would just like a bit of extra space to enjoy; either way, an extension could be the answer and a great way to improve your home.
  • Have a conservatory built – a conservatory gives you the benefits of an extension, plus you get to enjoy the great outdoors all year round, whether the rain is pouring or the sun is shining.
  • Build a swimming pool – if you have the space at home then why not use your imagination and install something that you can really enjoy, like a heated swimming pool.

Find funding for your project

Of course not everybody has the cash required for such projects in their bank, but this need not stop you investing in your home. Today it is possible to secure funding for home improvement and other projects, and there are a number of options to ponder. Using your credit card is one option if your limit allows you to take out the funds necessary to pay for a new bathroom or conservatory. It is worth considering the high interest rates imposed on credit card borrowing though, so other options should be considered, such as secured loans. Secured loans, also known as homeowner loans, are secured on your home, and they could allow you to borrow more than a personal loan would. This is a way that you could free up the funds needed to invest in your home, making it a more attractive, comfortable, valuable and saleable property for you to enjoy.

About the author: Sam Butterworth writes for Nemo Personal Finance, who can help you with secured loans. Find out what you could borrow with their secured loans calculator for home improvement and more. 

ABOUT NEMO Nemo Personal Finance http://www.nemo-loans.co.uk is a part of the Principality Building Society Group and provides secured loans for UK homeowners with an existing mortgage. Nemo aims to unravel the complications of personal finance and to provide homeowner loans that fit individual needs and lifestyles. Nemo is a responsible lender and will only make loans available to people who can afford them.

* Consolidating your debt may increase the amount you pay back overall and extend the repayment period of your debts.

THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.