As the weather changes, many homeowners are ready to not only get some spring cleaning done but to upgrade their home and make the most of spring this year and every other year. If you’ve wondered what home improvement projects will set your backyard up for success this season, three ideas you can keep in mind are an outdoor kitchen, a deck or patio, and a firepit.
Let’s go over how your backyard might benefit from these changes and how an FNMA HomeStyle® loan can help fund them without breaking your budget.
Build an outdoor kitchen
Outdoor kitchens may come across as a luxury amenity only seen on television, but they’re a practical solution to a very spring problem: How can you cook a full meal while enjoying the sunshine?
Bringing that indoor space outdoors means creating a more enjoyable cooking experience as you can prepare and eat your meals closer to nature. This is a definite plus for solo diners and backyard parties where the cooking doesn’t have to be separated from the fun.
Another benefit you should consider is the added value of an outdoor kitchen. This attractive feature could significantly bump your asking price should you decide to sell your home in the future.
The cost of this kind of project is flexible as it depends on how much space you’d like to dedicate to it and the complexity of the design and installation. This range gives you the chance to build on your terms.
Extend your indoor space with a porch, deck or patio
Porches, decks and patios are a great way to add to your home’s living space. These features cave out a little space where you can enjoy a quiet night or in nature with the coziness of being indoors.
If they’re designed properly, they’ll allow you to comfortably enjoy the outdoors, even in colder weather.
Many homes already have these features, but they require repairs for aesthetics or safety. If you already have a patio or deck that you need to upgrade, you may be able to use an FHA 203(k) loan. This loan option offers flexible requirements while covering renovations categories such as:
- Improving a home’s functionality or attractiveness
- Eliminating health and safety hazards
- Rehabing plumbing or sewer systems
- Installing or repairing the roof, gutters and downspouts
- Improving significant aspects of the landscape
Enjoying spring with a new firepit
A backyard feature that may top all others on your list is the firepit.
Whether it’s a stand-alone pit circled with simple chairs or part of a more elaborate landscaping project, this eye-catching feature is a great place to gather with friends and family during a cool spring night. Here are a few reasons to either install one or upgrade your damaged one.
Firepits are good all-year-round: Though you may think of a firepit as something to enjoy during springtime only, the fact is they produce heat. That makes it a great feature for fall or even winter nights when you want to snug with a blanket next to a warm fire.
They are the center of attention: Firepits create a unique appeal for get-togethers and even larger events. They make a relaxed and easy-going mood that’s great for special occasions.
Financing your springtime home improvements
If you’re considering these or any home improvements, a renovation loan is a simple and easy way to make them happen. There are two types you’ll want to consider.
FNMA HomeStyle® is a versatile renovation loan program that homeowners and buyers across the country use to fund upgrades that range from kitchen modernization to inground pool installation. FNMA HomeStyle® allows borrowers to fund what could be called “luxury” home improvements beyond what many other renovation loans allow.
FHA 203(k) are renovation loans backed by the federal government’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA). They offer flexible financial requirements to borrowers who may have debt issues or less-than-perfect credit. They fund repairs and fixes as opposed.
The right renovation option is the one that fits your unique needs for the season and beyond.
As a top-rated mortgage professional*, I understand how to deliver service with the personal touch that your unique goals require. My mission is to provide a simple, easy, and rewarding renovation loan process that will leave your backyard looking great!
To reach your home improvement goals, be sure to contact me today!