When you spend so much time researching on finding the perfect pet or the perfect diamond ring, why not do the same for your loan? I can't even begin to tell you how important it is to conduct research. Research until you have gained knowledge on everything you need. Once you have a clear understanding on exactly what you are doing, then you can move forward and don't be afraid to ask questions. Photo Credit: fishbel

When you are looking for a FHA loan, you will need to find a private lender and fill out the application for the same. FHA will make sure the lender gets the loan and if you default, the loan has been insured. Generally, these loans have high interest rates attached to them and they do involve a bit of paperwork. It makes sense to go this way if your loan amount exceeds ten thousand dollars. Photo Credit: CreativeApril

This is especially true if they do not have the initial home loan. It is not completely unheard of that bank loans will normally require you to have a second mortgage or a personal guarantee. If you have a good credit score, then the credit rating will get you a good interest rate for loans that are under twenty thousand dollars. Today, you may find that home improvement loans are getting more difficult to get from just any bank. Photo Credit: NCinDC

A tool that we have found pretty useful is the grant guide. You can borrow this one from the library or purchase your own copy from a bookstore. You can also find it through the Internet And you thought the internet was a timewaster! This grant guide will give you instructions and information about home improvement loan grants. It will also give you some ideas of other grants available that you may qualify for. Photo Credit: Allard One

Did you know that you could get a home improvement loan from a store such as Home Depot or Lowe’s? Obtaining store credit from one of these stores in order to fix up your home is a great idea. Take note that they have different payback plans and they are not always paid back like you would do with a normal credit card. You can also extend them for longer periods of time and they have a tendency to have a lower interest rate than that of a MasterCard or Visa. Photo Credit: Angela L 1313

Many get improvement loans from an improvement contractor. As an example, a roofing contractor, plumbing contractor, HVAC contractor or siding contractor. Many of these contractors have payment plans and pre-approved loans that can be obtained for the dollar amount of the work that they have been hired to do. Take note that these type of loans will not be giving extra money for additional improvements and the interest rates have a tendency to be higher. The payback time is usually lower than thirty six months. Photo Credit: steverose57

Once you have found out just how much money you need to obtain for improving your home, you should speak with a lender or a trusted loan officer. They are there to give you advice on what you need to do. They will tell you the options that are available with them. If you do not want to take this route, then try some of the other tips I have listed. Photo Credit: TheTruthAbout...

It is important that before you do anything else, you determine the amount of money you need to borrow in order to do your home improvement. Make a list of everything that you will need. Rooms that will need a makeover, new appliances, repairs, new furniture, new decor etc. Once this is done, you can progress to the other steps that I have listed. Ofcourse this will only be an estimate of how much money it will take to fix what you need to have improved. So remember to keep a buffer. Photo Credit: microabi Getting a home improvement loan may take some time, but if you are patient, you will finally be able to improve your living space. I have never had to personally get one of these loans, but I know some close relatives that have had to get one before. Just remember, if you have to get a government grant, there is nothing to be ashamed of. What in your home needs to be improved? How will you go about getting a loan? Top Photo Credit: ANVRecife