HEL or HELOC will definitely be difficult without equity in the home. Unfortunately many new homeowners find themselves in the same situation without cash liquidity or equity to perform wanted/needed updates or repairs.
Other than the two banks in your small town, have you considered any of the other 10,000+ commercial banks or credit unions in the US that offer personal loans that you can use for home improvement?
One major issue with tackling this with a Lowe's or Home Depot Card is that if you are not financially able to pay the balance in full prior to the expiration of the promo, interest becomes retroactive on the full amount from the date of the original charge. So even a high APR loan of say 13-15% will still save a considerable amount of money over a 0% for 6/12/24 months promo if you are unable to pay it to zero.
@Charmante wrote:
SO my plan is to put all materials on credit, pay for labor out of pocket, THEN after the remodel, get a Home Equity Loan to Pay Off cards, replace my depleted savings (from paying labor costs), and pay off my student loans and bills into One Payment.
Is that not okay? I don't see any other options...?
You do you.
A word of caution: do the math FIRST. If you use credit cards to do the remodel, and your home value does not increase substantially, you may not be able to refinance/Heloc immediately.
...ask me how I know. 
As someone else mentioned, Lowes will give you 7.9% for 84 months if you make a $4k purchase and that can be very helpful.
@K-in-Boston wrote:HEL or HELOC will definitely be difficult without equity in the home. Unfortunately many new homeowners find themselves in the same situation without cash liquidity or equity to perform wanted/needed updates or repairs.
Other than the two banks in your small town, have you considered any of the other 10,000+ commercial banks or credit unions in the US that offer personal loans that you can use for home improvement?
One major issue with tackling this with a Lowe's or Home Depot Card is that if you are not financially able to pay the balance in full prior to the expiration of the promo, interest becomes retroactive on the full amount from the date of the original charge. So even a high APR loan of say 13-15% will still save a considerable amount of money over a 0% for 6/12/24 months promo if you are unable to pay it to zero.
Once again K hits it out of the park
2 small Bsnks in home town? We live in the age of the internet, sad i know, there are so many Banks and Credit Unions you can use/apply/join to help. Heck, i prefer my off island financial institutions to local banks lol. They value you me more haha.
As to your original question, some times when you are asked to call in it can be verification but other times it is denials. Despite what many may think i dont believe any Sync card are easy or shoeins. Heck i got denied by Sams snd Walmart when i started my rebuild 5 years ago with 660-670 scores and some think you can get those cards with a low 600 . Ymmv always. 50k projects are way above my paygrade but good luck @Charmante
Ps , listen to Taco
@Charmante wrote:Well, does anyone know a Bank or CU that offers HOME IMPROVEMENT Loans? Not Refi, HELOC, etc. An Improvement loan?
I know they exist. I've read up on them.
Loans based on what repairs/upgrades you are going to do.
BUT not all banks offer them.
You would be looking for a personal loan; most financial institutions don't get that specific on naming their loan products. During the application process for a loan you are usually asked the purpose of the loan.