Whether you’re building a new home from the ground up or renovating an existing property, Renovation and Construction Loans provide the funding you need. These specialized loans cover materials, labor, and other construction costs, offering flexible financing options to turn your vision into reality.
Renovation and construction loans are designed to finance the cost of home improvements, remodeling, or new home construction. These loans allow homeowners and buyers to upgrade, repair, or build properties with structured financing that releases funds in stages as work is completed.
These loans are ideal for homebuyers purchasing fixer-uppers, homeowners looking to renovate, and individuals building a custom home. Investors can also use these loans to rehab properties for resale or rental income.
Unlike traditional mortgages, renovation and construction loans provide funding in stages rather than a lump sum. Lenders disburse payments based on project milestones, ensuring that contractors and builders receive payments as work progresses.
Loan options include FHA 203(k) renovation loans, Fannie Mae HomeStyle loans, VA renovation loans, construction-to-permanent loans, and standalone construction loans. Each loan type has different requirements based on the scope of work, borrower qualifications, and loan terms.
These loans provide flexible financing for remodeling, home improvements, or new construction. Borrowers can increase their home’s value, customize their living space, and spread renovation costs over time instead of paying upfront.
If you’re looking to upgrade your home, purchase a fixer-upper, or finance a custom-built home, a renovation or construction loan may be the perfect solution. A mortgage specialist can help determine the best loan option for your project.
These loans may let you create the right home without paying all renovation costs upfront. They can combine purchase and improvements into one plan, potentially add long term value, and keep more cash available, as long as the project and timeline are planned carefully.
Renovation and construction loans let you buy a home and fix it up, or build from the ground up, using financing that accounts for the future value of the property. These loans are powerful, but they have more moving parts, contractor bids, draw schedules, appraisals, and tighter timelines. This page explains how the most common renovation and construction programs work, what you will need, and how to avoid the delays that catch most borrowers off guard.
A renovation loan finances the purchase or refinance of a home plus the cost of improvements, often based on the home’s after improved value. Instead of paying for repairs out of pocket, funds are typically held and released in stages as the work is completed.
A construction loan finances building a new home, usually with funds released in draws as construction progresses and inspections confirm completed work.
Some construction loans are construction only with a refinance later, while others are construction to permanent, meaning one loan that converts to a long term mortgage after the build.
Renovation loans improve an existing home, while construction to permanent loans finance building a new home and then convert into a long term mortgage. The documentation and timelines differ, and the best option depends on whether you are buying an existing home to remodel or starting with land and building.
Common renovation programs include FHA 203k, Fannie Mae HomeStyle, and Freddie Mac CHOICERenovation, each with different guidelines and flexibility. Some programs allow only smaller repairs and others support major renovations. We match the scope of work to the right program so you do not get stuck with rules that do not fit the project.
Renovation funds are usually not paid to you directly, they are held in an escrow account and released to the contractor in draws after inspections. This protects you and the lender. It also means you need a clear contract, a detailed scope of work, and a contractor who is comfortable with draw based payments.
Lenders typically require a licensed and insured contractor, a written bid, a detailed scope of work, and a timeline, and they may require additional contractor documentation depending on the program. The project goes smoother when the contractor has renovation loan experience and provides complete paperwork quickly.
Many renovation programs prefer licensed contractors and may not allow DIY or sweat equity, though rules vary by program and lender. Even when it is allowed, it can complicate approvals and draw schedules. If you want to do some work yourself, we confirm what is allowed before you write an offer.
These loans usually take longer to close than a standard purchase because they require bids, plan review, and additional appraisal steps, so timelines often run longer than 30 days. The easiest way to avoid delays is to select the program early, choose a contractor quickly, and submit a complete scope of work and documentation up front.
The appraisal often considers the current value and the after improved value based on plans, bids, and specs, not just the home’s current condition. This is why detailed plans matter. If the scope is unclear, the appraiser may not be able to support the future value, which can affect loan approval.
