Reach Your Summer Renovation Goals With a Home Equity Line of Credit

Blog posted On June 20, 2025

With summer in full swing, the daylight hours have lengthened. The sun is blazing, illuminating every front patio and back porch. Proud homeowners are rejoicing, excited to show off their flourishing gardens and ready break out the pool gear. However, has the extended sunlight revealed that your home needs a little TLC? Do the windows need some repairs? Is your patio in disarray and in dire need of an upgrade? Financing home renovation projects can be tricky, with just minor home improvements taking a sizeable bite out of your savings. Here’s a thought: have you considered tapping into your home equity to help fund your summer renovation goals?

How Does a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Work?

A HELOC provides a line of credit that allows homeowners to borrow against the equity of their home. It can be an alternative to opening credit cards to pay for renovations because HELOCs typically possess lower interest rates than most credit cards.

HELOCs are especially helpful for smaller projects that require incremental funding since you can use as much credit available, whenever and however you choose over a fixed period (often 10 years). This is why it’s a good option for home remodeling and repairs.

You’ll want to check your equity first with your loan officer — that’s why we’re here to help! You’ll typically need a certain amount of equity in your home to qualify for a HELOC loan.

Also note that HELOC rates are variable and can adjust with future rate cuts, allowing you to lock in lower rates as they happen.

Summer Renovation Ideas

Jealous of your neighbors’ swanky backyards, the envy of BBQ pitmasters and pool enthusiasts alike? Don’t worry, here are a few fun ideas on how you can use a HELOC to spruce up your property and incite some good-natured neighborly envy of your own!

Smaller/Affordable Renovations

• Invest in a pressure washer to remove buildup on siding, driveways, decks, patios, and walkways
• Refinish your desk and update your patio furniture
• Spruce up your landscaping by eliminating dead plants and shrubs from the winter
• Add window boxes and other garden accessories
• Frame and embellish your front door with millwork
• Purchase outdoor lighting (like fairy lights & string lights) to add affordable ambiance

Higher-End Renovations

• Curate wellness spaces and add an outdoor sauna to your backyard
• Update your garage to a classic carriage door
• Refresh your house with a new paint job
  • Better Homes & Gardens suggests white to make your home look bigger and brighter
• Build a shed
• Add a pool or a hot tub to convert your backyard into a personal oasis!
• Install a privacy fence
• Replace your outdated roof
• Modernize your home with solar panels to give it an eco-friendly boost and take full advantage of sun-laden summers

If you’re ready to rock n’ roll with renovations, become the summer superstar of your neighborhood with the help of a HELOC. Any questions about the current balance of your equity? Reach out and we’ll steer you in the right direction. Summer fun, here we come!

Source: CBS News, Bankrate, Better Homes & Gardens, HGTV