There are several ways for homeowners to fund major home improvements. Homeowners should be wary of financing homes to fund improvements for a longer time than the improvements last; paint jobs are one example of this mistake. Financially, paying in cash makes the most sense for funding a major home improvement. For homeowners without available cash streams, taking a home equity line of credit is good for 10 years. Another option is refinancing a mortgage, with 30-year mortgages average 4 percent interest rates and 15-year mortgages averaging at 3 percent rates. The Federal Housing Administration offers a 203K loan plan that are available for homes requiring extensive repairs, but the loans are also used for refinancing; yet mortgage insurance will be required for the life of the loan. | Read More