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How are our long-range forecasts panning out? See the Mid-year review of our 2025 Mortgage and Housing Market Outlook.

How are our long-range forecasts panning out? See the Mid-year review of our 2025 Mortgage and Housing Market Outlook.

Finding a Home Improvement Loan

Q: I'm looking for a fixed rate 10-15 year home improvement loan of $45,000. My credit score is 730. What rates are out there?

A: Not all mortgage lenders still write true "home improvement" loans, where money for repairs and upgrades is provided based upon the value of the home after the work is completed. More likely, and if you have equity, you'll be steered toward a Home Equity Loan, or a Home Equity Line of credit which allows you to "break off" portions into fixed-rate, fixed-term chunks. For traditional fixed-rate Home Equity Loans, average interest rates are running just above 7% at the moment.

Ask the expert
Keith Gumbinger
Keith Gumbinger
Mortgage Expert
Vice President, HSH.com
About Keith: Mortgage market observer and analyst with 35 years experience... (more)
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Q: Does mortgage insurance assist the survivors of a deceased policy holder?
APR 08, 2025
A:

Credit life insurance is sold to homeowners as a means to pay off the mortgage in the event of the death of the homeowner.

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Q: I don't have a Social Security number. Can I get a mortgage?
MAR 31, 2025
A:

Fannie Mae states they do back loans for borrowers who have no Social Security number.

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Q: Will I pay an ACA/ObamaCare tax when I sell my home?
JAN 17, 2025
A:

Some homeowners will pay this 3.8 percent tax when they sell their homes, but only if they meet certain conditions.

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