Home Improvement Apps

Help Users Finance Their Dream Renovations

Compare HELOC rates from 4,300+ credit unions in real-time. Show your users exactly how to fund their kitchen remodel, bathroom upgrade, or whole-home renovation at the best available rates.

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Last updated: January 28, 2026
Quick Answer

How Do Home Improvement Apps Use RateAPI?

Home improvement apps use RateAPI to show financing options alongside project costs. When users plan a $50K kitchen renovation, they see not just the cost but also HELOC options with margins as low as Prime + 0.50%. The API returns real-time rates from credit unions that typically beat bank HELOC rates by 1-2%.

The Problem

Users Abandon Projects Because Financing Feels Complicated

Homeowners get excited about renovations, research contractors, and get quotes. Then they hit the financing question. "How do I pay for this?" sends them down a rabbit hole of confusing HELOC options, unclear rates, and fine print.

Many give up or accept the first HELOC their bank offers—often at Prime + 2% or higher. They don't know credit unions down the street offer Prime + 0.50%. That difference on a $75K line costs them $1,125 extra per year in interest.

The best home improvement apps don't just help users plan—they help users finance. Show financing alongside the project, and watch completion rates climb.

Integration

Add HELOC Comparison in Three Steps

1

Collect Project and Equity Details

When users create a renovation project, capture their state, estimated home value, and current mortgage balance. This lets you filter to HELOCs they actually qualify for.

JSjavascript
// User's home and project data
const projectData = {
  projectCost: 50000,
  homeValue: 600000,
  mortgageBalance: 350000,
  state: "CA",
  // Available equity: $250K (80% LTV limit)
};
2

Query HELOC Rates

Fetch real-time HELOC offers from credit unions in the user's state. The response includes margins over prime, intro rates, and LTV limits.

{}json
// Fetch HELOC rates
POST /v1/decisions
{
  "decision_type": "financing",
  "context": {"geo": {"state": "CA"}},
  "product_request": {
    "product_type": "heloc",
    "intent": "cash_out",
    "amount": 50000
  }
}
 
// Response
{
  "recommendations": [{
    "provider": "Golden 1 Credit Union",
    "margin": 0.50,
    "intro_rate": 5.99,
    "intro_period_months": 12,
    "max_ltv": 80
  }]
}
3

Show Financing Options

Display HELOC options alongside the project budget. Calculate effective rates by adding margin to prime (8.50%). Users see exactly what their renovation will cost to finance.

JSjavascript
// Display to user
const primeRate = 8.50;
const effectiveRate = primeRate + offer.margin;
 
// "Golden 1: 9.00% APR (Prime + 0.50%)"
// "Intro rate: 5.99% for first 12 months"
// "Monthly interest on $50K: $375 (standard) or $250 (intro)"
Features

Built for Home Improvement Apps

%

Margin Over Prime

HELOC rates are expressed as margin over prime. We provide the margin separately so you can calculate effective rates using current prime—essential for accurate cost projections.

*

Intro Rate Tracking

Many HELOCs offer promotional intro rates (often fixed for 6-12 months). We capture these so users can calculate true first-year costs, not just ongoing rates.

L

LTV Filtering

Each offer includes max LTV (80%, 90%, 95%). Filter to only show HELOCs the user qualifies for based on their equity position.

C

Credit Union Advantage

Credit unions typically offer HELOC margins 0.5-1.5% lower than banks. On a $100K line, that's $500-$1,500 saved annually.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about integrating HELOC rate data into home improvement applications.

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