2024 Fix-It Funds Home Improvement Loans Now Available

Beginning May 1, 2024, Medina County Treasurer John Burke and Westfield Bank will once again be offering Fix-It Funds low-interest fixed rate home improvement loans to Medina County homeowners.

Westfield Bank has partnered with the Treasurer’s office since 2015 to offer these fixed rate loans at up to 2% below the bank’s current rate. Fix-It Funds loans can range from $5,000 to $50,000 and are given on a first-come, first-served basis until available funds are depleted.

Almost all types of interior and exterior home improvements are eligible, including painting, wallpaper, lighting, flooring, plumbing, carpeting, furnaces, air conditioners, remodeling, additions, decks, window and door replacements, roofing, siding, gutters, driveways, patios, and sidewalks to name a few. There are only a few ineligible improvements such as swimming pools, satellite dishes, or hot tubs. Manufactured homes are not eligible for a Fix-It Funds loan.

There is no income limit to qualify for these loans. You must be a Medina County resident; your home (1-4 family unit dwelling) must have a tax appraised value of $300,000 or less excluding land, according to the Medina County Auditor’s appraised value; and you cannot be delinquent on your real estate taxes. Homeowners have up to 18 months to complete the work for which the loan was granted. “Over 90% of the homes in Medina County may qualify,” Burke noted. “We currently have over $1 million in active Fix-It Funds loans with an average value of $17,166.

Since its authorization by the County Commissioners in 2002, the Fix-It Funds program has provided over $15.7 million in low-interest home improvement loans to over 1,000 Medina County residents. “Homeowners all across Medina County have been helped by these loans,” said Treasurer Burke, noting that since the program’s inception, $2.8 million in loans have gone to homeowners in Brunswick; $1.6 million to Wadsworth; $3 million to Medina; and $8.3 million to residents in surrounding townships.

“The market for home mortgage interest rates has averaged about 7% over the last two years. Equity line interest rates can be as high as 9%. As an alternative, the Fix-It Funds program’s fixed interest rate at up to 2% below the bank’s normal rates looks pretty good,” Burke said.

This innovative and unique program has been given recognition by the national county elected officials’ organization IACREOT. Treasurer Burke has assisted the Treasurers of Stark and Portage counties to establish the same linked-deposit program. Only three other counties in Ohio offer similar programs.

Interested homeowners can apply at two Westfield Bank locations: 4015 Medina Road on Route 18 in Medina, and Two Park Circle in Westfield Center, or contact the following Westfield Bank representatives:
• Cheryl Murrin (NMLS#1365194), [email protected], 330.764.6091
• Michelle Evans (NMLS#1460020), [email protected], 330.661.6083
• Cindy Siepker (NMLS#2466577), [email protected], 330.661.6257

For more information, please call the Medina County Treasurer’s office at 330.725.9746, email [email protected], or search Fix-It Funds at www.medinacountytreasurer.com.

Westfield Bank is member FDIC and equal opportunity lender.