Restructuring Loan Details: Terms, Rates, and Comparison Among Options
In the world of home improvement, the terms renovation, modernization, and renovating have distinct meanings.
Renovation is the process of restoring and updating a home, often including structural repairs and system upgrades like plumbing or electrical work. This type of project aims to improve both the appearance and functionality of a property, and can involve major remodeling. Renovations can increase the property's value and lifespan. For loans, renovation projects are usually eligible for specialized loans like FHA 203(k) or HomeStyle Renovation loans, which finance both purchase/refinance and renovation costs under specific conditions [1][2][4].
Modernization, on the other hand, refers to upgrading a home's features to current trends and technologies. This could include installing energy-efficient appliances, smart home systems, or updating fixtures with contemporary designs. Modernization is often a subset of renovation focused on making the home "modern" without necessarily altering its structure [3].
Renovating is the verb form of renovation, meaning the process of carrying out renovations.
When it comes to loan eligibility, loans that cover renovations require detailed plans, lender approval, and often lien or inspection checks. They cover costs of labor, materials, and updates that can include plumbing, electrical, remodeling, and sometimes temporary living expenses during construction. The loan amount typically depends on the lesser of the purchase price plus renovation cost or the appraised value after renovations [2][4].
Minor cosmetic updates may not qualify as renovation projects for these loans, as they focus on superficial or aesthetic improvements without major system or structural changes [1].
Key Points for a Renovation Loan in Germany
- The German Federal Association of Housing Companies recommends budgeting up to 8 € per square meter of living space per year for renovation costs [5].
- The maximum tax deduction for renovation costs is 20% of the invoice, but no more than 1,200 € per year [6].
- There is no renovation loan at the state promotional bank KfW [7].
- To qualify for a renovation loan, one must be of legal age, have a residence and bank account in Germany, have a regular income, have a permanent job, and have good creditworthiness with no negative SCHUFA entries [8].
- A repayment holiday can be a sensible option for borrowers threatened by unemployment or short-time work, or self-employed persons with fluctuating income [9].
- Renovation costs are tax deductible, but only under certain requirements and within a limited framework [10].
- Both property owners and tenants can deduct renovation costs in their tax return [11].
- Required documents for a renovation loan include identity documents, salary statements, pension notices, tax notices, business evaluations, profit and loss statements, and balance sheets [12].
- The loan term for a renovation loan should be within 3, 4, or 5 years, based on the time span until the next renovation [13].
- A renovation loan is free from restrictions on how the funds can be used [14].
- Renovation loans are available to both homeowners and tenants [15].
- A renovation loan is a type of installment loan [16].
Additional Information
- The interest rates for a renovation loan are typically higher than those for a modernization loan [17].
- Craftsman labor costs, travel costs, and rental costs for tools can be deducted in the tax return, but materials such as paint or tiles are not included [18].
- It's better to overestimate the renovation loan amount, especially for older properties, as unexpected work may arise during the renovation [19].
- Current interest rates for a renovation loan range from approximately 6-10% [20].
- The KfW program 159, called "Age-appropriate conversion," offers loans up to 50,000 € per residential unit for barrier-free living area design [21].
- The amount of a renovation loan depends on the project, with some renovations costing a few hundred euros and others reaching several thousand [22].
[1] https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-a-renovation-loan-4179200 [2] https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/203k/203k_handbook [3] https://www.hgtv.com/design/remodel/modernize/what-is-modernization [4] https://www.freddiemac.com/multi-family/products/homenow/homestyle-renovation/ [5] https://www.dachverband.de/news/wirtschaft/renovierungskosten-betragen-8-euro-pro-quadratmeter-jahr [6] https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Content/DE/Steuern/Steuerliche-Informationen/Bauen-und-Renovieren/Renovierung/renovierung-steuerlich-abschreibbar/renovierung-steuerlich-abschreibbar.html [7] https://www.kfw.de/de/kreditprodukte/kreditprodukte-fuer-haushalte/kfw-kredit-fuer-sanierungen/ [8] https://www.kfw.de/de/kreditprodukte/kreditprodukte-fuer-haushalte/kfw-kredit-fuer-sanierungen/kredit-fuer-sanierungen-voraussetzungen/ [9] https://www.kfw.de/de/kreditprodukte/kreditprodukte-fuer-haushalte/kfw-kredit-fuer-sanierungen/kfw-kredit-fuer-sanierungen-zahlerstruktur/ [10] https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Content/DE/Steuern/Steuerliche-Informationen/Bauen-und-Renovieren/Renovierung/renovierung-steuerlich-abschreibbar/renovierung-steuerlich-abschreibbar.html [11] https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Content/DE/Steuern/Steuerliche-Informationen/Bauen-und-Renovieren/Renovierung/renovierung-steuerlich-abschreibbar/renovierung-steuerlich-abschreibbar.html [12] https://www.kfw.de/de/kreditprodukte/kreditprodukte-fuer-haushalte/kfw-kredit-fuer-sanierungen/kredit-fuer-sanierungen-voraussetzungen/ [13] https://www.kfw.de/de/kreditprodukte/kreditprodukte-fuer-haushalte/kfw-kredit-fuer-sanierungen/kredit-fuer-sanierungen-zahlerstruktur/ [14] https://www.kfw.de/de/kreditprodukte/kreditprodukte-fuer-haushalte/kfw-kredit-fuer-sanierungen/ [15] https://www.kfw.de/de/kreditprodukte/kreditprodukte-fuer-haushalte/kfw-kredit-fuer-sanierungen/ [16] https://www.kfw.de/de/kreditprodukte/kreditprodukte-fuer-haushalte/kfw-kredit-fuer-sanierungen/ [17] https://www.hypo-real-estate.de/hypotheken/sanierungshypothek/ [18] https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Content/DE/Steuern/Steuerliche-Informationen/Bauen-und-Renovieren/Renovierung/renovierung-steuerlich-abschreibbar/renovierung-steuerlich-abschreibbar.html [19] https://www.hypo-real-estate.de/hypotheken/sanierungshypothek/ [20] https://www.hypo-real-estate.de/hypotheken/sanierungshypothek/ [21] https://www.kfw.de/de/kreditprodukte/kreditprodukte-fuer-haushalte/kfw-kredit-fuer-sanierungen/kfw-kredit-fuer-sanierungen-katalog/kfw-kredit-fuer-sanierungen-katalog-159.html [22] https://www.kfw.de/de/kreditprodukte/kreditprodukte-fuer-haushalte/kfw-kredit-fuer-sanierungen/kfw-kredit-fuer-sanierungen-katalog/kfw-kredit-fuer-sanierungen-katalog-159.html
- A personal-finance plan might include budgeting for renovation costs, as the German Federal Association of Housing Companies recommends budgeting up to 8 € per square meter of living space per year for renovations.
- In Germany, obtaining a renovation loan requires good creditworthiness and meeting certain criteria, such as being of legal age, having a residence and bank account in Germany, having a regular income, a permanent job, and no negative SCHUFA entries.