You may need loans to repair homes with big issues that make living on the property hazardous. Or, you may want a HUD home improvement loan to make small alterations that improve accessibility for you or a family member. A loan can even help you make luxury enhancements to get a better sales price.

Low income home improvement loans may help you afford to live in your dream neighborhood. Well-kept homes in good areas have higher prices, but homes in need of repair can be a bargain. Certain house repair loans double as a mortgage. 

You may qualify for a renovation grant or loan from the Section 504 Home Repair program if you meet the requirements. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees rural home improvement loans and limits properties to only areas they designate as rural. 

You can apply for funds from the program if you cannot get a loan anywhere else. If you qualify for the program, you could receive one of the following:

·      Grant – If you are older than 62 years of age, have a very low income, and need to fix or get rid of a health risk, you could receive a grant. The maximum grant amount you can receive in your lifetime is $10,000. You will need to repay the grant if you sell the home in the three years after. 

·      Loan – If you have a very low income compared to the average income in your area, you might get a loan. The maximum loan limit is $40,000, and any amounts more than $25,000 require a real estate mortgage and full title services. The loan’s term can be up to 20 years for as little as one percent interest.

The income limits to qualify for the grant or loan depends on the number of people in your household and your county’s income median. For example, a very low income for a family of four in New York City is less than $59,650. 

If you qualify, you could potentially receive a grant-loan combination for a grand total of $50,000 in financial assistance. 

With FHA property improvement loan insurance, you can pay for the construction of nonresidential buildings and renovation projects on residential, commercial, and other properties. Private lenders can offer better terms since government insurance covers up to 90% of your loan. Below are the maximum loan amounts:

·      $25,000 for a single-family house 

·      $25,000 for a nonresidential structure

·      $12,000 per unit for multi-family properties, up to $60,000

FHA property improvement loans have a 1% premium that lenders may incorporate into a higher interest rate. 

The 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance lets you borrow money to buy a home and make necessary repairs or upgrades. This combination loan means one single monthly payment instead of two. You can borrow between $5,000 and 110% of the property’s future value. 

Both Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation Mortgages and Freddie Mac Construction Conversion and Renovation Mortgages let you use loan funds to buy a home and renovate it. These loans do not have income limits or have regional requirements. However, your credit score must be at least 660.If you need a loan to repair an energy appliance, you may be able to get the government to pay for it. The following programs could reduce your utility bill and energy expenses.