Personal loan or mortgage?
You have decided that you need a largish loan. The thing is, how do you borrow the money – via a personal loan or by adding it to your existing mortgage balance?
In general, mortgage interest rates are lower than personal loan rates. The lending market - whether it for loans or mortgages - is big business with companies vying for your custom. This puts you in a prime position to choose the right solution – whether you wish to borrow via your mortgage or a personal loan.
If you are considering spending, say £10,000 on home improvements, then it probably would make sense to add it to your mortgage as you will make savings on interest repayments.
With increases in property prices meaning many homeowners have a fair bit of equity in their property, most mortgage lenders are happy to lend you extra money.
These mortgage ‘extensions’ are arranged like a personal loan, with the extra amount payable over the terms of the mortgage or, if you prefer, over an agreed period.
However, if you do decide to choose borrowing extra money on your mortgage as opposed to taking out a personal loan, do remember that if you cannot afford to meet these extra repayments, you may lose your home.