 TITLE: Is Getting a Home Improvement Loan Worth It? CONTENT: Where to Get a Home Improvement Loan\n------------------------------------\nConsidering a cash-out refinance, home equity loan or HELOC? Contact your current mortgage lender to see what they can offer. Then get offers from other mortgage or home equity lenders, comparing interest rates, closing costs, repayment terms and fees. Consider using a mortgage broker who can get quotes and information from several lenders.\nPersonal loans are available from banks, credit unions and online-only lenders. Begin with your existing bank or credit union, then shop around. But don't drag the process out too long. When you apply for a loan and the lender checks your credit, it causes a hard inquiry into your credit report, which can temporarily ding your score by a few points. Too many hard inquiries can negatively affect your credit score. Complete all your loan applications within two weeks, however, and they'll be treated as one inquiry.\nSome lenders will prequalify you for a loan, which counts as a soft inquiry and won't impact your credit score. Experian CreditMatch™ can match you with lenders that fit your credit profile. END