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Home Appraisal Tips & Advice
Home Renters Beware: The Foreclosure Crisis Affects You as WellAugust 11, 2008
Home foreclosures have created an overlooked victim: what happens when the home you rent goes into foreclosure? The vicious circle of declining home values and rising foreclosures.
July 11, 2008
Home values drop when foreclosures rise creating a vicious circle. Is there help in sight or a way to take advantage of a declining market? Home Selling Success: What You Need to Know
July 11, 2008
Yes, the home selling market has slowed in the past year; however, houses are still being purchased on a daily basis. What is the secret to successful home selling? Home Value Significant in Planning Home Improvement Projects
By Karen LawsonHome Worth Columnist
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Your kids need their own bathroom. It's time to update the kitchen. You've always wanted a koi pond and outdoor sanctuary. Which projects can add lasting value to your home? Which improvements are most desirable in your area? How much home equity do you have available? You can determine estimated home value by using a free home value calculator tool. To get an idea of your home equity, subtract the amount of your mortgage loan from current value. Home equity financing can provide a convenient way to fund your home improvement projects.
Family Room or Fish Pond: Choosing Home Improvement Projects
Selecting the right home improvement projects largely depends on whether you plan to keep your home or sell it in the near future. If you're keeping your home, you'll have more flexibility to add improvements specific to your lifestyle and interests. Not everyone would consider a koi pond a desirable feature, but generic improvements such as new paint and flooring can be attractive to a wide range of potential buyers. Local real estate professionals can provide detailed information about current home value and the type of improvements likely to add to it. Your home equity can provide a great source of financing for home improvement projects.
Finding Home Improvement Financing
A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, can supply cash as needed, or you can get a lump sum of cash through refinancing or a home equity loan. Contact mortgage lenders to compare options and costs of home equity financing options. Obtaining a free home value estimate is a first step toward making your home improvement plans happen.
About the Author
Karen Lawson is a freelance writer with extensive experience in mortgage banking. She holds BA and MA degrees in English from the University of Nevada, Reno.