No equity required
Renters and homeowners qualify equally. You don't need a mortgage or any equity to borrow.
Home Improvement Loans
Home Improvement Loans
A home improvement loan is an unsecured personal loan you can use for renovations, repairs, or upgrades — without pledging your home as collateral, waiting weeks for an appraisal, or adding a lien to your title. Through The Lending Group's network of U.S. lending partners, homeowners and renters can access $2,500 to $50,000 with fixed rates from 6.99% APR and terms of 24 to 84 months.
- No appraisal, no equity requirement, no lien on your property
- Fixed monthly payment — no risk of rising HELOC rates
- Available to homeowners and renters alike
- Funds typically deposited in 1–3 business days
Soft credit check • No impact to score • 60-second form
What is a home improvement loan?
A home improvement loan is a fixed-rate unsecured personal loan intended for renovations, repairs, or upgrades to your home. Unlike a home equity loan or HELOC, an unsecured home improvement loan does not require you to have equity in your property, does not require an appraisal, and does not put your home at risk if you fall behind on payments. Approval is based on your credit profile, income, and ability to repay — not on how much your house is worth.
That structural difference matters. HELOCs and second mortgages typically take four to eight weeks to close because they require title work, an appraisal, and lien recording. An unsecured home improvement loan can be funded in one to three business days, which is often the difference between locking in a contractor's schedule and losing your slot to another homeowner.
You can use the funds for anything home-related: a new roof, an HVAC replacement, kitchen or bath remodels, flooring, windows, siding, a deck, a fence, landscaping, solar panels, an EV charger, an accessory dwelling unit, or urgent repairs after storm damage that insurance won't fully cover.
Home improvement loan vs. HELOC vs. cash-out refinance
Three tools dominate home improvement financing, and each fits a different situation. A HELOC (home equity line of credit) gives you a revolving credit line secured by your home. Rates are usually variable and tied to the prime rate, which means the payment you sign up for today can rise significantly over the life of the draw. A HELOC works best for staged, multi-year projects where you want flexibility to draw as needed.
A cash-out refinance replaces your existing mortgage with a larger one and gives you the difference in cash. It can make sense if current mortgage rates are lower than your existing rate, but if your current mortgage is at 3% and today's rates are 7%, refinancing to pull out $30,000 could easily add hundreds of thousands of dollars in lifetime interest cost. It is rarely the right tool in a rising-rate environment.
An unsecured home improvement loan is the right fit when you want speed, a fixed payment, no appraisal, and no touch to your first mortgage. You trade a slightly higher rate for none of the closing costs, none of the lien, and none of the timeline risk. For projects between $5,000 and $50,000 that need to happen now, it is usually the cleanest option.
How much can you borrow — and what will the payment be?
Loan amounts in our network run from $2,500 to $50,000, with terms of 24 to 84 months. Most borrowers pick a term that keeps the monthly payment inside their existing budget while still paying the loan off before the project's useful life ends — you don't want to be paying for a water heater eight years after it dies.
A quick rule of thumb: at 12% APR over 60 months, a $20,000 home improvement loan runs about $445 per month. A $10,000 loan at the same terms runs about $222. Shorter terms cost less in total interest but require higher payments; longer terms make the monthly number smaller but you pay more interest over time. Our rate calculator shows the exact payment for any combination.
Because there are no origination fees on qualifying products, the amount you borrow is the amount you receive. That matters — HELOCs and cash-out refis routinely charge $2,000 to $5,000 in closing costs, appraisal fees, and title work that come off the top of your funds.
Best uses for a home improvement loan
The strongest use cases share three traits: the work needs to happen soon, the total cost fits within the loan's range, and the improvement either preserves or adds meaningful value to the home. Urgent repairs — roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, foundation, water damage — top the list because delay makes them more expensive. Kitchen and bath remodels come next, since they consistently rank among the highest-return upgrades in resale value.
Energy-efficiency upgrades are another strong fit. Solar panels, heat pumps, insulation, and window replacements often pay for themselves over the loan term through lower utility bills, and many states and utilities offer rebates that reduce the effective cost further. If you are stacking a rebate with a home improvement loan, apply for the loan first — you'll be reimbursed by the rebate on a timeline that fits an installment loan much better than a HELOC.
Renters can use these loans too, since they are unsecured. Common renter use cases include appliance purchases, moving costs, or paying for a landlord-approved built-in that you want to install at your own expense.
Why borrowers choose us for home improvement loans
No appraisal, no lien
Skip the 4–8 week appraisal timeline. Your home isn't collateral, so there's no lien on your title.
Fixed rate for the life of the loan
Your APR and payment are locked in on day one. No variable-rate surprises like HELOCs.
Fast funding
Approved borrowers typically see funds in 1–3 business days — in time for the contractor's start date.
No origination fees
Borrow $20,000, receive $20,000. Nothing shaved off the top on qualifying products.
Pay off early, penalty-free
If a bonus, tax refund, or rebate comes in, apply it directly to principal without fees.
Common ways borrowers use these funds
- Roof replacement or major repair
- HVAC, furnace, or water heater replacement
- Kitchen or bathroom remodel
- Flooring, windows, or siding upgrades
- Solar panels or heat pump installation
- EV charger installation
- Deck, fence, patio, or landscaping
- Emergency storm or water damage repair
- Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) buildout
- Appliance replacement (fridge, washer/dryer, range)
How it works
- Step 1
Check your rate
60-second form with a soft credit pull. No impact to your credit score, no obligation.
- Step 2
Choose your terms
Pick the amount and term that fit your project budget and monthly payment target.
- Step 3
Fund your project
Sign electronically, receive funds in 1–3 business days, and pay your contractor directly.
Home Improvement Loan Calculator
Estimate your home improvement payment
Move the sliders to see what a $2,500–$50,000 home improvement loan would cost per month.
$
Our lending network offers $2,500 to $50,000.
12.99%
60 months (5 yr)
For example only. Figures are illustrative and do not represent an offer of credit. Actual APR, terms, fees, and monthly payments come from our lending partners after a soft-pull rate check, and depend on your credit profile, income, loan amount, term, and state of residence.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to own my home to get a home improvement loan?
No. Because these loans are unsecured, they are available to both homeowners and renters. You do not need equity, an appraisal, or even a mortgage to qualify.
How much can I borrow for home improvements?
Through our lending network you can request $2,500 to $50,000 depending on your income, credit profile, and state of residence.
Is a home improvement loan better than a HELOC?
It depends on your situation. Home improvement loans are faster, have fixed rates, and don't require an appraisal or lien. HELOCs offer flexibility to draw multiple times but come with variable rates and 4–8 week closing timelines. For a defined project under $50,000 that needs to happen now, a personal loan is usually the cleaner choice.
Will the interest be tax-deductible?
Interest on unsecured home improvement loans is generally not tax-deductible. Interest on secured home equity loans used to buy, build, or substantially improve your home may be deductible up to certain limits. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How long does approval take?
The initial rate check takes about 60 seconds. Once you accept an offer and complete verification, funds are typically deposited within 1–3 business days.
Can I use the loan for anything home-related?
Yes. Roof repair, HVAC, kitchen and bath remodels, appliances, solar, EV chargers, landscaping, ADUs, emergency repairs — anything tied to improving or maintaining your home is a valid use.
What credit score do I need?
Most lending partners look for a FICO score of 620 or higher plus verifiable income. Higher scores unlock lower rates.
Are there any fees?
Qualifying products in our network have no origination fees, no prepayment penalties, and no late fees. Always review the final loan agreement before signing.
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