Maria Elena Casillas, Intero A Berkshire Hathaway AffiliatePhone: (408) 821-2649
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Making upgrades to your home can improve its safety, but these types of upgrades aren't always cheap. If you're avoiding these upgrades due to the cost, keep in mind funding options are available. These funding options can make some projects more affordable.
The Weatherization Assistance Program is available for households with incomes below a certain threshold. This program provides services to help improve their home's energy efficiency and safety regarding heating, cooling and electrical usage. This program can also be used to replace older, less efficient and potentially unsafe appliances with new ones.
A home equity loan lets you use the equity you've built up in your home to pay for home safety improvements. Keep in mind the amount you can borrow depends on how long you've owned your home, since equity builds up over time. You can choose between a lump-sum home equity loan, which typically has a fixed interest rate or a revolving line of credit.
A revolving line of credit allows you to use funds anytime you need it, which is helpful if you're planning to do multiple projects in the near future. This type of home equity loan typically has an adjustable interest rate.
This type of loan can be used to cover the cost of home repairs needed to improve safety. For example, you might use this loan to replace an old and worn roof or to replace corroded pipes or outdated wiring. You'll need to meet certain requirements to qualify for this type of loan.
Grants are available to help eligible homeowners make safety improvements to their home. Some of these grants include the VA Specially Adapted Housing Grant, HUD Community Development Block Grant Program and HOME Investment Partnerships Program. These grants are only available to those who meet certain requirements, such as income levels. Keep in mind only a limited number of grants are typically available.
Some programs provide financial assistance for seniors who need to make upgrades to their home to improve safety. For example, the Area Agencies on Aging offers funding for modifications and repairs for older Americans, which helps ensure seniors can live in safe housing.
You don’t need to do this alone. I am bilingual in English and Spanish, and I have been in the industry for over 20 years, after earning my degree in Business Management and successive studies in Human Resources and Technology. Never content to let my education lapse, I also received a certification in Negotiation Skills from Pepperdine University and attended courses at Stanford University. A leader in the field, I am a member of the Santa Clara Board of Realtors and served as a professional standards ombudsman for 8 years. I completed a term as the President of the National Hispanic Organization of Real Estate’s Santa Clara chapter in 2016, now serving as this organization’s National Vice President. I pursued additional in-depth training to achieve professional designations as an ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative), CRS (Certified Professional Specialist), and SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist), GREEN certification, and RCS-D (Divorce Real Estate Specialist). Far from being a meaningless alphabet soup, this demonstrates how proactive I am in pursuing the latest knowledge so that I completely prepared to satisfy all my sellers' and buyers' unique needs. I am committed to Excellence!
