Thanks to Capital One for sponsoring this post.

Next year, I plan on doing some much-needed home improvements. The holidays are sure to take a bite out of any available capital we have to do the projects I have in mind without some additional financial assistance. Fortunately, we own our home and do have some equity that we can tap into to help with the work I have planned.

Home DIY Project List

I’ve already received prices for window upgrades to make the house more energy efficient as well as the price for a much-needed roof replacement. Plus, I would also like to add a fire pit to our backyard where friends and family can gather on cool evenings. The fire pit could be a fun DIY project but I also want to pursue the cost of having it done (correctly) by a skilled mason.

With a fairly solid number in mind, I am considering a lump sum home equity loan from Capital One, currently being offered from 4.52% to 4.91% (depending on the length of the loan). Capital One also has a home equity line of credit starting as low as 3.02%. I’ve considered both options by using the online calculators on the Capital One website, which have provided me with customized rates for my specific remodeling needs. I was happy to discover that by using the online calculators my credit score was not impacted and I was able to see my personalized rate; however, I did not have to make any commitment to apply for a loan or line of credit. Both equity products being offered by Capital One have attractive rates that meet my needs perfectly.

Before the New Year, I will visit my Capital One branch in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to discuss what I have learned by using the online tools with an equity specialist. The online tools are available at https://www.capitalone.com/home-equity. The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) area on the website has also been extremely helpful up to this point.

Although I have not yet formally applied for a Capital One Home Equity Loan, I am confident in the bank’s products and services. I am pleased to have this financial institution as a sponsor and have no reservations about moving forward with discussing my renovation needs.

Lastly, I wanted to share some findings from a Capital One sponsored research study that was conducted last December in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by Wakefield Research. The survey revealed that 68% of respondents admitted that they had difficulty understanding and navigating the home equity market when searching for loans and/or lines of credit. I think Capital One has taken the mystery and headaches out of the process by offering easy online calculators, FAQ resources and accessible customer support.