Our top home finance tips to consider before summer

The days are getting longer again and summer is finally on the way! Before the summer festivities begin, it might be a good idea to get your finances in order and think about making some home improvements. We’re going to take you through what you our top renovation tips before the summer you need to be thinking about, in regard to your home, now that you have a little more time to yourself.

Remortgage to release equity

After years of working hard to make monthly mortgage payments, your home is likely to be your largest asset. The value of your home (minus any existing mortgage and other loans secured against it) is referred to as equity.

Recently, many people have been tapping into this equity through remortgaging. This money can be used for a renovation to your current home, helping your children onto the property ladder, or simply helping to boost your finances.

If you’ve been thinking about doing some home renovation, but you’re unsure where to start, you can talk to one of our friendly advisers who will be more than happy to help you talk you though the process.

Renovate to add value to your home

This may be the perfect time to get creative and spruce up your home or garden. Making improvements to your home is a great way to refresh your surroundings but also add value to it. This could be a small improvement, such as a fresh coat of paint, or as large as a renovation project.

Smaller home improvements

• Redecorate your home to give it a fresh new look with neutral colours and accessorize with coloured furnishings and maybe the odd house plant.
• Replacing the kitchen cabinets and doors, or even a quick paint.
• Fix any snags you may have been ignoring (such as loose wires or minor leaks).
• Adding to the outside of your home can also make it more attractive to buyers, new plants and a well-kept garden can finish off your home nicely.

Larger home improvements

• You could make better use of the redundant loft space in your home by converting it into an extra room.
• Adding a conservatory to your home could give you the extra space you need downstairs.
• A new bathroom can be tricky, as it is a necessary room, but it can make the home much more appealing to a potential buyer.

Sort out your finances

Weighing up your outgoings against your monthly income can be a necessary but neglected task by many of us. Starting with a budget planner with your average bills, food and flexible expenses can be a good place to start and help you feel more in control.

Check protection for the rest of the year

After a long winter, you might have noticed that your home wasn’t necessarily as winter-proof as you might like it to be.. Why not get one step ahead before the next one rolls around? Here are some suggestions:

• Make sure your central heating is in good working order after being on for so long.
• Insulate your home (if it hasn’t been already)
• Invest in double or triple glazing windows to keep the heat in (and keep energy costs down)
• Ensure your roof is secure and in good condition

Having the right insurance for your property is really important to keep your home safe all year round and talking to a mortgage adviser can ensure you have the correct insurance in place for your property and your family.

If you’d like to get in touch with us to discuss a possible remortgage, protection for your home and family, or even just a chat about your options, we’re always here to help.