Living in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, means preparing for unpredictable weather year-round. From severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to the sweltering summer heat, protecting your home and family often requires more than just planning.
Installing a storm shelter may cost several thousand dollars, a whole-house generator can run even higher, and replacing an HVAC system is often one of the biggest expenses a homeowner faces.
That’s where financing options through Oklahoma Central Credit Union can help. With flexible storm shelter loans, you can invest in the protection and reliability your family needs without the stress of paying everything up front.
What Are Storm Shelter Financing Options? 
There are several ways to finance your storm shelter loan from Oklahoma Central:
Personal Loans
One of the most common ways to finance a storm shelter, generator, or HVAC upgrade is through a personal loan. With fixed interest rates and predictable monthly payments, personal loans give you the security of knowing exactly how long it will take to pay off the expense.
Home Equity Loans or Lines of Credit
If you’ve built equity in your home, you can use it to fund these essential improvements. A home equity loan provides a lump sum with a fixed rate, while a home equity line of credit (HELOC) offers revolving credit. Using this method is particularly helpful if you’re tackling multiple projects over time.
Specialized Financing Programs
At Oklahoma Central Credit Union, we also provide flexible personal lending options specifically designed to help members manage large home-related expenses. These loans are tailored to fit your budget and repayment comfort.
How to Choose the Right Financing Option
Choosing the best financing method depends on your financial situation, your goals, and how quickly you want to pay off the expense.
Consider Your Home Equity
- Have equity built up? A home equity loan or HELOC may offer lower rates than a standard personal loan.
- Little or no equity? A personal loan could be the better fit, offering more payment flexibility.
Evaluate Repayment Flexibility
- If you prefer set monthly payments, a fixed-term loan provides structure you can plan around.
- If you want flexibility to borrow over time, a HELOC may be more convenient.
Weigh Interest Rates and Terms
Always compare rates and terms before committing. At Oklahoma Central, our team will walk you through the different options, showing how each choice impacts your monthly budget and overall cost.
Think About Long-Term Benefits
While up-front costs may seem intimidating, consider how storm shelters, generators, and HVAC systems protect your family and add long-term value to your home. A slightly higher payment today could mean greater safety and energy savings tomorrow.
Benefits of Financing a Storm Shelter
Financing allows you to protect your family without draining your savings, offering practical benefits you might not be able to afford as a lump sum payment:
- Immediate Protection - Oklahoma’s storm season won’t wait for you to save up thousands of dollars. Financing lets you install a storm shelter now, so your family is protected right away.
- Manageable Payments - Instead of one large out-of-pocket cost, financing breaks the expense into smaller, predictable monthly payments that fit your budget.
- Increase in Home Value - Storm shelters, generators, and modern HVAC systems are desirable features that can increase the resale value of your property.
- Emergency Preparedness - Financing a generator ensures your home has power during outages, keeping your food safe, medical equipment running, and your family comfortable. An upgraded HVAC system also means lower utility bills and more reliable defense against extreme temperatures.
- Peace of Mind - The biggest benefit can’t be measured in dollars. Knowing your family has a safe place to shelter, reliable power, and comfortable living conditions regardless of what Oklahoma weather brings.
Contact Oklahoma Central Credit Union to speak with a rep about what a storm shelter loan can do for your family today!
Tips for Securing Affordable Financing
Getting the right financing isn’t just about approval. It’s also about making sure the terms and conditions work for you.
Here are some tips to help you secure affordable financing for your storm shelter loan:
- Check your credit score - A stronger credit score can open the door to lower interest rates. Before applying, review your credit report and address any issues.
- Compare loan types - Loans offer different benefits depending on their structure and terms. Personal loans, HELOCs, and credit union flex loans can all be used to provide storm shelter financing.
- Ask about local assistance programs - The state of Oklahoma offers rebates and grant assistance for many storm shelter projects. Depending which county you live in, both Tulsa and Wagoner may also provide help for loan payments.
- Budget for monthly payments - Use a financial calculator and speak with your credit union representative to understand exactly how loans fit into your household budget.
- Work with a credit union that cares - Oklahoma Central provides competitive rates and personalized service, often with fewer fees than large banks.
Found Out About Storm Shelter Loan Options at Our Broken Arrow Branch!
With smart financing options from Oklahoma Central Credit Union, you can install your storm shelter, upgrade your HVAC system, or add a standby generator with confidence.
Don’t wait until the next storm is on the horizon– start protecting your family today. Contact Oklahoma Central Credit Union’s Broken Arrow branch to learn more about financing solutions that give you the peace of mind you deserve.
Contact us today!
