Home Improvement Loans
As a homeowner, you know that your home is one of your primary assets. Homewise offers affordable financing services to help you maintain and improve your home. By making repairs or adding energy efficient features, you are managing your investment wisely.
Step 1
Educate Yourself With Our Home Improvement FAQs
I have a problem with my roof. What should I do?
Most roofing projects are beyond the ability of the average homeowner, so it is important to work with an experienced professional roofer. Contact at least three different licensed professionals and compare estimates. You can find local roofers HERE and use our checklist to ask the right questions and get the answers you need to make an informed decision about your roofing problem.
What kind of roof should I get?
If you have an older home, you likely have a tar and gravel roof. If you are going to replace your roof, consider converting to a newer, more energy efficient roofing material. We build our Homewise Homes with modified bitumen (membrane) roofs because of the quality, longevity, energy efficiency and money saving features.
How am I going to pay for this?
You can finance your roof repair or replacement with a competitive, fixed rate home improvement loan from Homewise. Click here to get started!
I have cracks in my stucco. When is it a problem?
A stucco company will help you decide if your stucco needs to be repaired or restored. Contact at least three different licensed professionals and compare estimates. You can find local stucco companies HERE and use our checklist to ask the right questions and get the answers you need to make an informed decision about your stucco.
Should I choose synthetic or traditional stucco?
If the cracks can be repaired, you will want to use the same material currently on your home. If you need a full stucco restoration, consider using synthetic materials. We build our Homewise homes with synthetic stucco because it is more consistent in texture, color and less susceptible to cracking.
How am I going to pay for this?
You can finance your stucco project with a competitive, fixed-rate home improvement loan from Homewise. Click here to get started!
I have a problem with my heating/cooling. What should I do?
A heating and cooling company will help you decide if your heating/cooling system needs to be repaired or replaced. Contact at least three different licensed professionals and compare estimates. You can find local heating and cooling companies HERE and use our checklist to ask the right questions and get the answers you need to make an informed decision about your heating/cooling problem.
What should I look for in a new heating/cooling system?
Look for a more efficient system with lower operating cost. It will more than pay for the higher initial cost.
How am I going to pay for this?
You can finance your heating and cooling project with a competitive, fixed rate home improvement loan from Homewise. Click here to get started!
I need new windows. What do I do?
Contact at least three different licensed professionals and compare estimates. You can find local window companies HERE and use our checklist to ask the right questions and get the answers you need to make an informed decision about your windows.
What kind of windows should I get?
Dual paned low emissivity (low-e) windows are an affordable option to insulate your home and save energy and money. They have a thin invisible coating that reduces energy loss by 30-50%. We build our Homewise homes with dual paned, low-e windows.
How am I going to pay for this?
You can finance your new windows with a competitive, fixed rate home improvement loan from Homewise. Click here to get started!HERE
My water heater is leaking! What do I do?
If you have a leak, follow these steps to drain your system:
- Turn off the water supply. Locate the cold water shut off valve above the water heater. Either pull down or twist the handle clockwise until it stops. If you have a large, serious leak and cannot safely reach the water heater shut off valve, turn the water off at the main water valve in front of your house.
- Turn off the power supply. This is located at the heater or circuit breaker panel.
- Drain water heater to prevent water damage. Attach a garden hose to the drain faucet at the bottom of the water heater. Bring the other end of the hose to a lower location like a driveway or gravel. Do not drain onto grass or other landscape. Turn on a hot water faucet in the home to allow air to enter the water heater as the water drains. Pull relief valve handle to let air enter system.
- Call a plumber.
I have a problem with my water heater. What should I do?
Contact at least three different licensed professionals and compare estimates. You can find local plumbers HERE and use our checklist to ask the right questions and get the answers you need to make an informed decision about your water heater.
How am I going to pay for this?
You can finance a new water heater with a competitive, fixed rate home improvement loan from Homewise. Click here to get started!
I’m considering solar. How do I start?
Contact at least three licensed professionals and compare estimates. You can find local solar companies HERE and use our checklist to ask the right questions and get the answers you need to make an informed decision about going solar.
What are the benefits?
The lower prices of today’s solar systems, paired with the low cost financing available, make going solar a smart investment for many homeowners. Solar is a fixed cost so your savings increases as utility rates rise.
How does it work?
A solar electric system uses roof or ground mounted panels to convert the sun’s light into electricity.
What size system do I need?
Solar system sizes are specific to your energy usage. A 12 month usage history from your utility company will help you determine your average monthly usage. A solar company can help you determine the size that’s right for your household.
What tax credits are available?
A federal tax credit covers 30% of the cost of a solar system.
Is my roof strong enough?
If you are mounting panels on your roof, any roof issues should be addressed before installing solar. Your solar company should inspect or recommend a roofing contractor to test the structural integrity of your roof before installing panels.
What else do I need to consider?
Find out if you have any homeowner association covenants or historical district restrictions related to solar panel placement. Register and protect your solar rights to prevent structures being built next door that will shade your system. More information can be found from Clean Energy NM.
How am I going to pay for this?
Homewise offers competitive, fixed-rate financing for residential solar in New Mexico. Click here to get started!
How can I start conserving water?
Rain barrels are a great way to begin harvesting water. They are easy to install and readily available. You can leave rain barrels out during the winter as long as the spout is open and water can flow through the barrel. Drip irrigation is a great way to maintain your landscape without wasting water. Water is applied slowly at the base of the plant. Sensors and timers can help you water your landscape when it makes sense.How am I going to pay for this?
You can finance water saving home improvements with a competitive, fixed rate home improvement loan from Homewise. Click here to get started!Step 2
Get Estimates and Hire a Reputable Contractor
Educate yourself about obtaining and evaluating estimates from reputable contractors.
What should I ask before the site visit?
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Do you offer free onsite estimates?
- How long have you been in business?
- Do you do the work yourself or do you employ subcontractors?
- Ask for local references from past customers that you can speak with.
- Do you warranty your work?
- Do you offer a written contract?
What should I ask after the site visit?
- What brands of materials will be used and why?
- How soon can you start, and when will the project be complete?
- Be sure the cost of labor, materials, and any other expenses are included in a written bid.
What should I ask about warranties?
- What is your warranty on workmanship? Manufacturer’s warranty?
- Are there any actions or exceptions that could possibly void the warranty?
Is it a prorated warranty or does it cover 100% for the full term?
BONUS TIP: A contractor’s warranty should cover workmanship, installation and related issues. The manufacturer’s warranty should cover materials and manufacturing defects.
If you’re contacting a roofer, you should also ask:
- Is the roof inspected after completion?
- Will you remove my old roof materials and construction debris?
- What is the exact roofing process from tear off to completion?
- How soon can you replace my roof, and when will the project be complete
Download a printable version of this guide.
Download a printable version of this guide.
Step 3
Finance Your Home Improvement Project With Homewise
Get started below by letting us know that you’re interested. Homewise can help you finance energy-efficient and water-saving home improvements, routine maintenance and emergency repairs. Click here to submit an inquiry, and we’ll be in touch right away!
Some of the improvements that Homewise can help you finance include:
- Roof repair or replacement
- Stucco with insulation
- Windows and doors
- Heating and cooling systems
- Solar electric and hot water
- Insulation
- Water catchment and drip irrigation systems
- And more, just ask!
More Homewise Services
Homewise can help you buy, sell, or refinance a home, too!