Home improvement loans and your credit report
Do you need funds immediately?
When you need an emergency home repair and don’t have time for a loan application, you may have to consider a personal loan or even a credit card.
- Can you get a credit card with an introductory 0% APR? If your credit history is strong enough to qualify you for this type of card, you can use it to finance emergency repairs. But keep in mind, if you’re applying for a new credit card, it can take up to 10 business days to arrive in the mail. Later, before the 0% APR promotion expires, you can get a home equity loan or a personal loan to avoid paying the card’s variable-rate APR
- Would you prefer an installment loan with a fixed rate? If so, apply for a personal loan, especially if you have excellent credit
Just remember that these options have significantly higher rates than secured loans. So you’ll want to reign in the amount you’re borrowing as much as possible and stay on top of your payments.
Your credit score and report always matter when you’re applying for financing. That’s true for secured loans, like cash-out refinances and HELOCs, as well as personal loans and credit cards.
When you have excellent credit, you improve your chances at getting low interest rates – with or without a secured loan.
A lower credit score will increase your loan rates significantly for personal loans or credit cards. Some personal loans charge up to 35% APR to less qualified borrowers. »