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VA loans are available to active-duty military members, veterans, reservists, National Guard members, and certain surviving spouses. They require no down payment or mortgage insurance and typically come with lower interest rates than other types of mortgages. If you think you might qualify for a VA loan, it’s worth comparing the costs to those of a conventional loan.

What Is a VA Home Loan?

VA loans were created in 1944 as part of the G.I. Bill, and they have grown in popularity since. They are one way to buy a house with no money down.

Most VA loans are VA-backed loans. Approved private lenders issue the loans, part of which the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs agrees to repay if the borrower stops making the payments. That guarantee incentivizes lenders to offer VA loans with attractive terms.

The VA issues direct loans to Native American veterans or non-Native American veterans married to Native Americans. The agency also refinances VA and other mortgages.

How Does a VA Home Loan Work?

To receive a VA loan, a veteran, service member, reservist, National Guard member, or surviving spouse first has to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility. Once you have your COE and have decided what you wish to spend on a home, you’ll seek out a lender. Most lenders charge a flat 1% fee for VA loans but there may be other fees as well.

Once you have a lender and find a home to purchase, you’ll need to have the home appraised by a VA-approved appraiser to ensure it meets the minimum qualifications for a VA loan. If it does, you’re on your way to moving day.

Types of VA Home Loans

VA loans are available to help eligible borrowers buy, build, renovate, or refinance. Here are the main programs.

VA-Backed Loans

VA-backed home loans are full of advantages. They require no down payment or mortgage insurance, and have fairly loose rules about qualifying.

The home must be a primary residence, but up to a four-unit multifamily property may be purchased if one unit will be owner-occupied.

Approved condos and manufactured homes classified as real property are eligible.

VA Direct Home Loans

If either a veteran or their spouse is Native American, they may qualify for a Native American Direct Loan (NADL) to purchase, construct, or improve a home on federal trust land.

The VA issues these loans directly to borrowers who meet credit standards and whose tribal government has an agreement with the VA.

VA Refinancing

The VA offers an interest rate reduction refinance loan (IRRRL) and a cash-out refinance.

An IRRRL, or VA Streamline Refinance, refinances an existing VA-backed home loan. No verification of credit, income, or employment is required, and you might not need a home appraisal.

The VA-backed cash-out refinance can be used to convert any type of home loan to a VA mortgage with cash back at closing. (Cash back is optional: You can also use a VA cash-out refi to switch to a VA loan, shed mortgage insurance, and possibly lower your mortgage rate.)

VA Renovation and Construction Loans

The VA renovation loan is Veterans Affairs’ answer to the FHA 203(k) loan. It allows eligible borrowers to purchase and repair a property using a single VA loan with no down payment.

VA construction loans can help borrowers finance land and the construction of a home without a down payment. The hitch is, few lenders offer these loans.

Some states also administer their own loan programs for qualified veterans. California, for example, may have a high cost of living but it does offer its own home loan program to veterans.

Who Should Apply for a VA Home Loan

Eligible applicants for a VA loan are:

•   Current service members who have served for 90 consecutive days.

•   Veterans who served after 1990 for 24 continuous months or for the full period (at least 90 days) when called or ordered to active duty. (Those who served prior to 1990 may also be eligible; check VA.gov for detailed requirements.)

•   Service members who served at least 90 days of active duty in the Reserves or the National Guard after 1990. (Those who served prior to 1990 may also be eligible; visit VA.gov for details.)

•   Spouses of service members who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability, or who are missing or are prisoners of war.

VA Home Loan Requirements for Buying a House

If you apply and meet the requirements for a VA loan, you’ll receive a certificate of eligibility. Approved lenders can check eligibility quickly, or potential borrowers can contact va.gov.

The document indicates “full entitlement.” For full entitlement, at least one of these must be true:

•   You’ve never used your home loan benefit

•   You’ve paid a previous VA loan in full and sold the property

•   You’ve used your home loan benefit but had a foreclosure or short sale and repaid the VA in full

Credit, Income, Debt

For a VA loan, the lender will determine how much of a mortgage you can afford based on your credit history, income, debts, and assets.

The VA does not have a minimum credit score, but most mortgage lenders will want to see a FICO credit score above 620. Some may go lower.

According to VA residual-income guidelines, borrowers should have a certain amount of discretionary income left over each month after paying major expenses.

The VA does not name a maximum debt-to-income ratio, but it does suggest placing more financial scrutiny on borrowers with a DTI of more than 41%, which includes the projected mortgage payments.

VA Loan Rates

For VA-backed loans, approved private lenders set their own VA loan rates and fees. It’s smart to contact more than one lender when shopping for a mortgage and compare offers.

VA Funding Fee

There will be no mortgage insurance on a VA loan, but most borrowers will pay a one-time funding fee for a VA-backed or VA direct home loan. The fee can be rolled into the loan.

For the first use of a VA-backed purchase or construction loan, the funding fee is 2.3% of the loan amount if the borrower is putting less than 5% down.

The NADL funding fee for a home purchase is 1.25%.

A few borrowers, including those who are receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability, do not have to pay the funding fee.

Benefits of VA Home Loans

Here are the main selling points of VA loans:

•   No down payment.

•   More attractive interest rates and terms than loans from some mortgage lenders.

•   Possibly lower closing costs. The VA allows lenders to charge up to 1% of the loan amount to cover origination, processing, and underwriting costs. Sellers can pay all of your loan-related closing costs, but yes, that’s a big ask. VA loans have an appraisal fee that is set by area. Buyers may purchase mortgage points to reduce the interest rate.

•   There’s no limit to the amount that can be borrowed with a VA home loan. However, there is a limit to the amount of the loan that the VA will guarantee.

•   No minimum credit score requirement (although some lenders may still not lend to those with lower credit scores).

•   A VA home loan can be for first-time homebuyers or repeat buyers.

•   VA loans are assumable, meaning the loan could be taken over by the home’s next purchaser.

Downsides of VA Home Loans

Although there are many benefits to VA loans, there are a few potential pitfalls to keep in mind.

The main one is the funding fee. If rolled into the loan, this increases monthly payments as well as total interest paid over the life of a loan.

Others:

•   VA loans can’t be used to purchase investment properties or vacation homes.

•   Some approved condos are eligible, but co-op properties are not.

•   Zero down payment is a nice option, but if the housing market falters, borrowers may be paying more on their home than it’s worth.

What Is the VA Loan Limit?

As of 2020, if you have full entitlement, you don’t have a VA loan limit.

If you have a remaining entitlement (e.g., you have a VA loan you’re still paying back), you can use your remaining entitlement — on its own or with a down payment — to take out another VA loan.

In that case, the VA loan limit is based on the county conforming loan limit where you live. (In most of the country, the 2023 conforming loan limit for one-unit properties is $726,200.)

VA Loan vs Traditional Mortgage

After comparing the pros and cons of VA loans, some borrowers may find that a conventional loan with a low down payment is a better fit for their long-term financial goals. Even if they save money upfront, in the long term, VA loan borrowers often end up paying more.

Conventional loans can be used for vacation homes or investment properties. They don’t include the VA funding fee.

And some borrowers who put less than 20% down may be able to avoid PMI.

The Takeaway

VA loan requirements are more flexible than some others, and VA loan rates may be slightly lower. VA loans have benefits, but it might pay to get loan estimates for conventional loans, too, and compare. For one thing, nothing down means starting out with no equity.

Applying for a home mortgage loan with SoFi requires as little as 3% down for qualifying first-time homebuyers. The fixed rates are competitive. SoFi finances primary homes, second homes, and investment properties.

FAQ

What are the disadvantages of a VA loan?

The main downside of a VA loan is its funding fee. VA loans also can’t be used to purchase investment or vacation properties, or co-ops (although some condos are eligible).

What is the difference between a VA loan and a regular loan?

The main difference between a VA loan and a conventional loan is that VA loans do not require a down payment or mortgage insurance. And, of course, VA loans are only available to qualified service members, veterans, and certain spouses.

Do you pay a VA loan back?

Yes. A VA loan is a loan, not a gift, and It must be repaid. A homeowner who doesn’t make payments could lose their home and any equity they had built up in it.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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Moving can be stressful. Making sure your fragiles are packed so they don’t break, deciding on a DIY move or hiring professional movers, managing security deposits or down payments on both ends of the move — moving cross country could overwhelm even the most relaxed person.

But there are steps you can take ahead of time to help make the process go more smoothly.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The three Rs aren’t just good environmental stewardship — they’re also essential for planning a cross-country move.

After all, moving is a great time to embrace your inner minimalist and get rid of absolutely everything that’s no longer needed. Not only does decluttering help cut down on moving costs, it also helps you avoid filling up the new place with meaningless stuff.

Instead of just throwing away unwanted goods, trying to find them a new home might give them a second life. Furniture items can be sold online or in consignment stores to raise a bit of extra money for the moving fund, or they can be donated to a thrift store.

Professional clothes that are no longer worn could help someone if donated to a job readiness program. Animal shelters often take donations of old sheets and blankets to make cuddly beds for their charges.

Local freecycle or buy-nothing groups can also be great places to unload unwanted home goods. You never know who has a use for those five dish strainers you’ve somehow accumulated.


💡 Quick Tip: Some lenders can release funds as quickly as the same day your loan is approved. SoFi personal loans offer same-day funding for qualified borrowers.

Pack Like a Pro

Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to get packing. Resist the urge to throw everything into a medium-sized box and call it a day. Taking the time to pack up your home like a professional will make moving — and the subsequent unpacking — a whole lot easier.

First, gather your packing supplies. You’ll want to make sure you have plenty of boxes of varying sizes, several rolls of packing tape, large black markers, scissors, a utility knife, and several types of packing materials, like old newspaper, bubble wrap, and even old rags or sheets.

Start by packing up non-essentials, like seasonal home goods, out-of-season clothes, and rarely used kitchen goods.

Make sure to wrap all fragile items in paper or bubble wrap before putting them in boxes. Plates can be packed next to each other vertically, which helps prevent breaking. Likewise, adding a layer of crumbled newsprint or packing paper on the bottom of your box can also help prevent breakage.

Aim to keep each box light enough to lift alone, with heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on top. Don’t forget to pack similar items together. No one wants to arrive at their new home and find their dishes somehow got packed next to the cat’s litter box.

Recommended: 21 Items That You Can Recycle for Money

Choose Your Mode of Transportation

One of the most challenging parts of planning a move across the country — or even to another state — can be planning the actual transportation. Will you fly, and then ship your cargo to your new home? Hire a moving company to pack everything up and unpack it at your new place? Rent a cargo trailer and drive across the country?

Each option has its benefits and its drawbacks, but choosing the mode of transportation that best fits your needs and budget can help keep your move as stress-free as possible. And, depending on the mode you choose, it could help you keep your budget intact, too.

Hire a Moving Company

The easiest, and usually the most expensive, option is to hire a moving company and let them take care of the details. Using a moving company for a cross-country move can cost between $2,000 and $8,000. That figure can rise when you add in fuel costs, fees, and insurance.

Some moving companies will send someone out to take a look at how much stuff you plan to move to give a more accurate cost estimate. They may also estimate the weight of the load and calculate how far you plan on moving when giving you the final estimate.

If you’re hiring movers, one way to cut down on expenses is to pack and unpack your stuff yourself. Asking for personal recommendations, reading online reviews, and getting a few different quotes before deciding on a moving company can help you get the best company for your needs.

Ship Your Belongings

If you don’t have any big furniture to move, you may be able to get away with shipping your goods and hopping on a plane with just your essentials.

Shipping your goods as freight can be a more affordable option, whether you send them via mail, train, or even take a few boxes as checked baggage on the flight.

The downside is that unless the boxes are traveling on your flight with you, you may end up waiting a while for them at your destination. And, like all mail, there is always a chance things could be lost or damaged during the journey.

Rent a Truck or Trailer

Many movers choose to take the DIY route and rent a cargo truck or trailer to haul their worldly possessions. This can be a budget-friendly option, but remember that for all the cost savings, you’ll be putting in a lot more hard work.

You’ll need to pack and load all your boxes and furniture into the trailer yourself. On top of packing, you’ll also have to be comfortable driving the cargo truck or trailer the hundreds or thousands of miles that lie between you and your destination.


💡 Quick Tip: Swap high-interest debt for a lower-interest loan, and save money on your monthly payments. Find out why credit card consolidation loans are so popular.

Budgeting for Your Move

Still wondering how to move across the country without going broke? There’s no doubt about it: moving is expensive.

And don’t forget to include the additional costs of moving, like a down payment on your new place, or first and last month’s rent, and the cost of setting up your new home with all the essentials.

On top of that, moving often coincides with changing jobs, which may mean that you have a few weeks where you could be without a paycheck. All of this makes moving across the country financially draining for many people.

If you know you’ll be moving in the future, saving up now and using any money you make selling unwanted goods can be a good way to build up your moving fund.

Some people, however, realize they need a little more help in covering the upfront costs of moving across the country. When you need quick cash for your move, a relocation loan can be an option worth exploring, as some lenders disburse loan funds within a few days. The money can cover a wide range of moving costs, from deposits to storage to professional movers, transportation, and even hotel stays.

A personal loan may offer lower interest rates than many credit cards do and, unlike a credit card, a personal loan is not revolving credit. That means the loan is for a set amount of money and paid back over a fixed period of time.

Recommended: Get Your Personal Loan Approved

The Takeaway

Moving across the country can be overwhelming, but there are ways to help make the process feel less stressful. Getting rid of things you no longer want or need is a good place to start. Just as important is how you plan on transporting your belongings to your new home. Hiring movers is generally considered the easiest option, though it tends to also be the most expensive. If you’re looking to keep expenses down, you may decide to ship your items or rent a truck and drive them across the country yourself.

As you’re creating your moving budget, be sure to factor in the cost of setting up your new home. This may include the down payment or security deposit on your new place and paying for groceries, new furniture, and other essentials.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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You’ve decided to buy a home. Luckily, you’ve found a real estate agent who can help you find homes to look at and assist with negotiations and inspections. But what if that agent also works for the seller? But what if that person also works for the seller? That is called dual agency, and there’s a lot to consider before agreeing to the arrangement.

Here’s what future homebuyers need to know about dual agency to help decide if it’s the right choice for them.

What Is Dual Agency?

A dual agent represents both the buyer and seller in the same real estate deal. Dual agents are also sometimes referred to as transaction brokers.

Dual agency can be controversial and is banned in eight states: Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Oklahoma, Texas, Vermont, and Wyoming.

Other states do not explicitly make it illegal, but some do warn against using a dual agent.

For example, the New York Department of State issued a memo advising consumers to be extremely cautious when signing on with a dual agent because in doing so they forfeited their right to an agent’s loyalty.

However, in every state where dual agency is legal, the law requires agents to disclose their work with both the buyer and the seller. Both buyer and seller must agree to use a dual agent and sign a consent form indicating they understand what they are agreeing to.

Dual agency may also refer to deal-making of seller’s agents and buyer’s agents at the same real estate company.

For example, Keller Williams, one of the largest real estate firms in the nation, has both seller’s and buyer’s agents. If one of its seller’s agents puts a home on the market, there’s a decent chance that one of its buyer’s agents may have a client for the property.

This is less controversial and poses fewer issues as it is still two separate people overseeing the seller’s and the buyer’s interests.

Recommended: How to Buy a House Without a Realtor

What Are Agents’ Fiduciary Responsibilities?

Real estate agents are legally bound to represent the best interests of their clients. This means agents are to disclose any information they have that may or may not help their clients in the negotiating phase.

The obligation to disclose could pertain to information on home inspection reports, defects with the house, or anything else that affects the property’s value.

While representing a buyer, an agent must also disclose any existing relationship with the seller.

Be sure to ask real estate agents important questions about how they work and what they’ll do for you so you’ll know whether they’re the right agent for your needs.

A seller’s agent must disclose any relationship with potential buyers and all offers made on the property—unless, in general, the seller has instructed his agent in writing to withhold certain kinds of offers.

Real estate agents are also expected to put their clients’ financial best interests above their own. This could mean putting in an offer below asking price, which would reduce their own commission.

With all of that in mind, it becomes clear that issues of loyalty and confidentiality become challenging in a dual agency situation.

Pros of Dual Agency

Smoother communication: Having one agent representing both the buyer and seller could help create a smoother communication path. Because the person represents both parties, they may be able to speed up any negotiations. In this case, the dual agent may also better understand both the seller’s and the buyer’s timelines, their schedules, and any internal deadlines better than two separate parties could. Buyers wouldn’t have to wait for the seller’s agent to call back and sellers wouldn’t have to wait for a buyer’s agent to call back, because with dual agency they are the same person.

Potentially more information on the home: A dual agent may be able to obtain more information on the home than an agent just representing the potential buyer. In turn, they can relay any pertinent information, such as structural issues, inspection reports, and any updates made to the home, to the potential buyer.

Potentially more access to a larger pool of homes: Remember, dual agency also means a buyer’s agent and seller’s agent working for the same agency. That means, if one home doesn’t work out, the two agents could look internally to find more potential homes their agency represents for the would-be buyers. They may even be able to find a few homes that haven’t hit the market yet.

Possibility for a discount on commission: In a typical real estate transaction, the seller’s agent and buyer’s agent split the commission. A dual agent may be willing to negotiate down their commission since they are double-ending the deal.

Dual agents still have to do their job: In the end, even dual agents must present all offers, prepare all paperwork, present all disclosure agreements, and help to complete the deal.

Recommended: 6 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes to Avoid

Cons of Dual Agency

Buyers (and sellers) won’t get special treatment: Agents only working for one side will likely be willing to go all out for their client to ensure that the client gets the best deal. An agent working for both sides may be more tempted to get the best deal for themselves to maximize the commission (hey, it’s just human nature to look out for No. 1). A buyer (and a seller) usually wants loyalty above all else when looking for a home. Homebuyers may want to seek out someone who knows what’s needed to buy a house and has their back.

Buyers (and sellers) may not get the price they want: Again, a dual agent’s allegiances are split down the middle during the deal-making process. A seller’s agent is meant to promote the home and get the seller the best price for the home with the fewest contingencies.

A buyer’s agent is on a mission to find every tiny thing that needs to be fixed with the home to get the buyer the best deal they can. If a person is representing both sides, how can they do both? It’s important to discern an agent’s allegiances before signing on the dotted line.

No pushback from the other agent: In a two-sided real estate deal, the two agents will typically go back and forth on the home’s price, any reductions the buyer may want in exchange for repairs, the home’s inspection report, and much more. This creates a system of checks and balances for both sides, which can be important when negotiating a fair deal. However, if one person is playing both sides, things may get muddled, hurting both the seller and the buyer.

The Takeaway

Dual agency is rare in the real estate world because most buyers and sellers want to find an agent who is loyal to them and has their best interests at heart. Still, if you find yourself in a dual agent situation, there is much to know.

There’s another important decision most homebuyers must make: getting the right home loan. Different lenders may offer different terms, rates, or perks that may fit a buyer best.

SoFi offers mortgage loans with competitive rates, an online application, and mortgage loan officers who can answer your questions.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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Siding helps protects your home from weather and pests, and plays a major role in the look of your home. If yours has seen better days, or you’ve never liked the look of your siding, it may be time to consider replacing it. Yes, it’s a big (i.e., expensive) job. But you will likely get a significant portion of what you spend back when you sell your home, since this home renovation generally has a high return on investment (ROI). Read on for a look at different siding ideas at a variety of price points and their expected ROI.

Eco-Friendly Options

Interest in sustainable living is growing in the U.S. One way to live this type of lifestyle is by choosing eco-friendly siding options that reduce the carbon footprint of the project. For example, using recyclable siding materials is one way to be more environmentally friendly, as is selecting material known to be more energy efficient.

Wood can be a good choice because it’s a renewable and sustainable material that can be sourced locally. Manufacturing processes of wood siding can be more environmentally friendly as well.

Aluminum or steel siding can be a green choice when made from recycled materials. It’s also considered to be an energy-efficient option because of how metal reflects the sun’s rays, unlike some materials that absorb them. Low maintenance associated with metal siding is a plus.

Fiber cement siding is eco-friendly, crafted from natural materials. Although vinyl siding isn’t formed from the most environmentally friendly materials, there is little waste with this type of siding, with insulated options being energy efficient.

Recommended: Solar Panel Financing in 4 Ways

Colors with Curb Appeal

Siding color plays a big part in a home’s curb appeal. Combinations of colors and textures can evoke certain feelings, such as using green siding with wood accents to create a natural feel to a home.

In addition, darker colors draw attention to parts of a home while lighter ones can help to de-emphasize areas.
When selecting a color scheme, personal taste enters in, but an overall goal might be a compromise between that and looking good in the home’s broader neighborhood.

Some communities may have homes with more subdued hues while others boast more color.

Colonial homes may look best in a single classic color, while cottage-style homes may provide a homeowner with more freedom of expression.

Recommended: Four Ways to Upgrade Your Home

Realistic Textures

In the past, siding materials could look “plastic,” rather than mimicking natural grains and textures. Today, though, siding materials often look more attractive and realistic.

When on a budget, today’s vinyl siding can masterfully imitate wood siding at a lower cost with a greater ease of installation. If on a mid-range budget, an option might be fiber cement siding, which combines sand, cellulose and cement, comes in a variety of colors and can be imprinted with designs.

Plus, shingles come in a variety of sizes to help create a personalized appearance. With a bigger budget, stone and brick veneers are an option, as are stucco and new materials that mimic stucco. These choices can give a home a distinctive appearance.

Mixed textures can be eye-catching, whether that includes mixing materials or the width of the siding boards themselves. Metal touches can also be attractive.

Costs of Home Siding

The cost of new siding will depend on the size of your house, the type of siding you choose, and even your local weather. Generally, new siding runs between $2 and $9 per square foot. However, solid materials like brick, stone, and a range of veneers can run closer to $50 per square foot.

A full replacement job, on average, can run $11,428, according to Angi (formerly Angie’s List). Keep in mind, though, that each project is unique and older homes may have additional issues that will need to be addressed during a home renovation process. Plus, if a home is old enough to be designated as historic, there will likely be guidelines that need to be followed, which can add to the price tag of improvements.

Beside the materials used and the size of the home, other factors that impact cost include the shape of the house, with those having multiple stories or with eaves and turrets typically being more expensive than a home with a more streamlined structure.

Another factor can be the time of year when the siding is installed, with peak seasons usually more expensive than off-season projects.

Costs of a square foot of siding, including installation, vary by material, with these as averages:

•   Vinyl: $2 to $12

•   Wood: $2 to $35

•   Aluminum: $3 to $6

•   Fiber cement: $5 to $13.50

•   Brick: $10 to $35

•   Stucco: $6 to $18

•   Steel: $5 to $9

•   Stone: $27 to $50

It can make sense to get a customized quote for a siding project because there are so many factors that can affect the price.

It may be helpful, too, to compare quotes received to what it costs to paint the exterior of a home.

The cost to paint a home’s exterior ranges from $1,800 to $13,000, with an average coming in around $3,000. Although painting is typically less expensive, siding can last for decades, while the exterior of homes often need to be painted every five to ten years.

Siding ROI

Replacing your old siding can significantly increase the value of your home. Exactly how much it will add to the value will largely depend on the type of material you choose.

Going with fiber cement siding, for example, could add about $15,000 to the value of your home, which translates into about a 68% return on investment.

Vinyl siding, on the other hand, could ratchet up the value of your home by roughly $12,500, giving you a potential 67% return on investment.

If you replace just a portion of your siding with manufactured stone veneer, you could possibly add around $10,000 to your home’s value, which can add up to a more than 90% ROI.

You may want to use an online ​​home improvement ROI estimator to get a sense of how much your choice of siding will impact the resale value of your home.

Paying for House Siding

If you run the numbers and the cost of your home siding project is more than you can comfortably cover in cash, you may want to consider some type of financing.

One option is to take out a home equity loan or line of credit. These loans are based on the equity you have built up in your home and use your home as collateral for the loan.

Another option is a home improvement loan. This is essentially an unsecured personal loan that is used for home repairs or upgrades. You receive a lump sum up front which you can use to pay for new siding; you then repay the loan over a set term, often five to seven years, with regular monthly payments. Interest rates are typically fixed.

The Takeaway

Siding is your home’s first line of defense against weather and pests. It’s also one of the most visible parts of your house, so when it starts to look old and worn out, so does your home.

Replacing your siding can seem like a big undertaking, but fortunately you typically only have to do it once. Plus, you can often make up much of the out-of-pocket cost when you resell your home, thanks to the relatively high ROI on this type of remodel.

If you’re interested in replacing your siding but not sure how to cover the costs, SoFi can help. SoFi’s home improvement loans range from $5K to $100K and offer competitive, fixed rates and a variety of terms. Checking your rate won’t affect your credit score, and it takes just one minute.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.


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Shopping around for the best value is tried and true advice that extends to most things you can sink money into. It can be especially true in the world of student loans — an economic ecosystem where there are approximately 45 million borrowers holding more than $1.7 trillion in debt, and payments to erode that debt have been slowing on the whole.

Reasons for choosing a different student loan lender than one previously used might include looking for better service, a lower interest rate, or better terms. Some borrowers may want to refinance their existing loans so they can minimize the number of lenders they work with and the number of payments they have to keep track of.

Borrowers who have federal student loans are encouraged to carefully consider refinancing those loans with a private lender, because in doing so they will no longer be eligible for deferment, forbearance, or other repayment or relief aid through the federal government.

How to Change Student Loan Lenders

There are many reasons to consider transferring student loans to another lender. But something important to understand about this change is it typically will mean seeking out a private student loan lender, even for your federal loans.

So, why would you want to change lenders in the first place? Private student loan lenders might offer better rates, terms, and repayment options that may work better for your financial situation. Some lenders may be a better fit for graduate students, others for refinancing, and others for cosigner flexibility. Benefits offered by private lenders might also be attractive to borrowers. For instance, SoFi offers members a discount on college prep classes and exclusive rate discounts for eligible members.

When shopping around for private student loan lenders, knowing what criteria are deal makers and also deal breakers for your unique situation is helpful. Borrowers might qualify for a higher loan amount from a private lender vs. a federal student loan, but terms and interest rate typically depend on an applicant’s credit and other financial factors. A private lender might offer a variable-rate loan, which means market changes could impact your monthly payments in unpredictable ways. With so many variables in the mix, it isn’t unusual for students to use both federal and private student loans to cover their college costs.

Recommended: Fixed vs. Variable Rates: What’s the Difference?

In most cases, though, federal student loans tend to offer better borrower protections—like loan forgiveness, deferment options, or income-driven repayment plans—than private student loans. Qualifying for federal student loans may also be easier than qualifying for a private student loan for some borrowers because federal student loans don’t typically require a credit check.

Lenders vs Servicers: What’s the Difference?

It might not seem like there is much of a difference between lenders and servicers, but the two play distinctly different parts in the business of borrowing money. Lenders actually make the loans, while servicers collect the payments from the borrowers.

The Department of Education, i.e., the federal government, is the lender of federal student loans. The companies who work on behalf of the government to collect student loan payments are the servicers. The Department of Education’s National Student Loan Data System Database gives borrowers a comprehensive look at their student aid. With the information all in one place, it might be easier to make a decision about making changes to student loans.

Private lenders also use loan servicers. Just like federal student loans, the company that makes the loan will be different from the company the borrower pays. The servicer and payment information is typically found on the most recent student loan statement. Payments can usually be made in a number of ways: online, by mail, by phone, or even through an app if the servicer has one.

Recommended: How to Find Out Who Your Student Loan Lender Is

Refinancing as Transferring

Refinancing student loan debt is just a way to turn an existing loan into a newer one, ideally in a way that will result in potentially lower interest rates or lower monthly payments. (Keep in mind that you may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you lower your payments by choosing an extended term.) Most student loans, like any other large consumer loan, are eligible for refinancing for qualifying applicants.

Borrowers who have only federal student loans may be interested in seeking a loan consolidation via a Direct Consolidation Loan, but as the ED warns, the trade-off here is a simpler payment but also the potential loss of some benefits, such as interest rate discounts.

Furthermore, a Direct Consolidation Loan doesn’t typically result in an interest rate savings — it has a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan, calculated as the weighted average of the interest rates on the loans being consolidated, rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Consolidation is not usually a way to save money on interest payments, but is more an option to streamline repayment—one loan means only one payment to make each month.

Private lenders will typically do a credit check, which includes personal financial details like income and credit histories, and could be a potential drawback for students who may not have much of either. Students might have a tougher time qualifying for a loan on their own with that requirement, and a cosigner may be required on the loan.

Doing Your Homework

There are many moving parts to consider when thinking about using a different lender from one you’ve used in the past or transferring an existing loan to a new lender. What aspects of your student loans would benefit from transferring? What don’t you like about your current lender or servicer? What services or benefits would you like to get from a lender?

If you do decide to move forward with transferring your student loans to a new lender, also known as refinancing student loans, allow SoFi to help. SoFi offers an easy online application, competitive rates, and no origination fees.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

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