If you’ve suddenly been hit with a home improvement project that’s pinching your budget, like a roofing issue or heater malfunction, a personal loan might be an option to help cover the cost.

什么是个人贷款？

A personal loan is an installment loan that’s typically issued by a bank, credit union or online lender. 根据美联储的数据，两年期个人贷款的平均利率为10.22%，但根据你的信用评分和其他标准而有所不同。 一些贷款机构提供12个月到5年不等的还款期限。

使用个人贷款进行紧急房屋改善项目的一个好处是，审批过程通常很快，因此您可以更快地解决紧急房屋维修问题。 一些在线贷款机构可以进行信用检查，批准你的申请，并在几天内将资金发送给你。 另一方面，如果贷款人需要额外的信息，银行和信用合作社的审批过程可能需要几天到几周的时间。

如何找到个人贷款

If you’ve decided that a personal loan makes sense to fund your next home project, make sure you’re aware of these next steps.

1. 评估你的预算

The last thing you need is taking out a personal loan only to realize after the fact that you can’t afford to repay it. 计算一下你的家装工程实际需要多少钱，给自己一个合理的缓冲，以应付不可预见的维修费用（例如，许可证费用，特定材料的价格变化等）。

Then, tally your monthly income 和 financial obligations to ensure you still have enough cash on h和 to keep the lights on 和 make monthly installments toward your loan. 使用电子表格或预算应用程序可以帮助你轻松跟踪这些数字。

2. 了解你的信用评分

一般来说，你需要有良好的信用评分才能获得个人贷款的批准。 你的信用评分是贷款人决定你的申请是否被批准的关键因素之一，较高的信用评分悦博体育较低的利率。

Check your credit score with the three credit bureaus to ensure there isn’t an error or suspicious activity that might inadvertently lower your credit score. 想要一份免费的信用报告，去AnnualCreditReport.com看看你的信用状况，然后再继续前进。

3. 比较费率和条款

When you’ve confirmed that you have a good credit score that can get you competitive interest rates, it’s tempting to accept a loan from the first lender that approves you. But like other major purchases, it’s important to shop around.

比较利率、年利率（APR）和可用的期限，并阅读可能抵消任何好处的任何条件或费用的细则。

首先，试着先联系你现有的金融机构，看看他们能提供什么； 有时，信用合作社尤其会为忠诚的会员提供利率激励。 此外，考虑使用个人贷款聚合网站，同时比较多个在线贷款机构的报价（只是要尽职调查，确保网站是合法的）。

4. 提交申请

If you’re ready to submit an application, you can either complete a form online or apply in-person, depending on your lender. 虽然所有贷款机构在处理贷款申请时需要提供不同的资料，但提前准备一些常见的资料包括：

• 个人信息
• 收入
• 就业信息
• 贷款原因
• 你想借的金额

To minimize any delays on your end, it’s helpful to prepare copies of verification documents, such as a driver’s license, proof of address like a utility statement, information about your home 和 pay stubs. 如果你的潜在贷款人需要其他信息来做决定，他们可能会联系你。

Although it’s always best to have emergency savings set aside for a sudden home improvement project, turning to a personal loan is a useful option when you’re pressed for funds 和 time. As urgent as your project might feel, however, always take the time to do your research to ensure you’re making the right move for your situation.