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Bettesworth Construction
construction financing

How to Finance a Home Renovation or New Construction Project

Renovating an existing home and financing a new build call for different approaches. Compare cash, renovation mortgages and construction-to-permanent loans on total cost, eligibility and how funds are released.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 5 min read
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For an existing home, compare paying cash with renovation financing such as an FHA 203(k) or Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation loan. For a ground-up build, ask lenders about construction-to-permanent financing instead. The right fit depends on the property, project, borrower, lender and current terms—not just the interest rate. Compare written offers for total costs, repayment, collateral and how funds are released before you commit or begin work.

Choose financing based on the project

Renovating an existing home and building a new one are different financing problems. The programs below are not interchangeable: a renovation mortgage generally has project and property rules, while construction-to-permanent financing is structured around a build and its transition to long-term mortgage financing.

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Option Project and transaction fit What to examine
Cash Improvements to a home you own How using cash affects liquidity and other planned uses of the money. HUD says cash is generally the thriftiest way to finance improvements, but that is not a universal recommendation for every household.
FHA 203(k) Purchase or refinance of an existing home combined with eligible rehabilitation Standard versus Limited scope, FHA mortgage limits, escrow and draw administration, permits, and lender approval.
Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation Eligible improvements to an existing home with a purchase or limited cash-out refinance Project and property eligibility, appraisal, lender review, fees, and how improvement funds are managed.
Fannie Mae HomeStyle Refresh Eligible improvements to an existing property in conjunction with qualifying mortgage products Current improvement limit, documentation and transaction eligibility in the applicable Selling Guide and with the lender.
Construction-to-permanent financing Building a new home, with construction financing transitioning to a long-term mortgage Single- versus two-closing structure, draw and inspection process, conversion terms, fees, and what happens if cost or schedule changes.
Other borrowing to discuss Potential alternatives for improvement costs; suitability depends on your circumstances Ask lenders about FHA Title I, home equity loans, HELOCs, cash-out refinancing or personal loans. Compare current written offers rather than assuming one is cheaper or appropriate.

HUD’s general home-improvement financing guidance also advises understanding costs and repayment obligations before proceeding. Neither the cited official program material nor the product descriptions establish a universal cheapest loan or current rate ranking.

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How the renovation mortgages differ

FHA 203(k): Standard and Limited

An FHA 203(k) loan, made through an FHA-approved lender, combines financing for the purchase or refinance of an existing home with rehabilitation funds. HUD describes the rehabilitation proceeds as held in escrow and released as work is completed. The total mortgage remains subject to applicable FHA limits and lender approval. See HUD’s 203(k) program guidance.

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HUD’s current program guidance lists a $5,000 minimum rehabilitation cost for Standard 203(k). Standard is intended for major rehabilitation; HUD’s borrower fact sheet, revised July 1, 2025, says a 203(k) consultant is required and relevant permits must be in place before work begins. The loan must remain within the FHA mortgage limit for the area. HUD’s program-type guidance lists up to $75,000 for qualifying Limited 203(k) repair, improvement or upgrade work. These are rehabilitation figures, not the maximum total mortgage or a promise of approval; confirm current rules and your project’s eligibility with an FHA-approved lender. See the HUD borrower fact sheet and HUD program-type information.

Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation

HomeStyle Renovation can combine a mortgage with eligible improvement funds for a qualifying existing home. Fannie Mae describes its use with a purchase or limited cash-out refinance; eligible work may include repairs, remodeling, energy improvements and additions, subject to program rules and lender review. The process can involve an as-completed appraisal, review of plans and contractors, escrowed funds and lender-managed draws. Review the consumer overview and the Selling Guide.

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HomeStyle Renovation is not a general-purpose mortgage for an ordinary ground-up new build. The Selling Guide has a limited exception for final work on a newly built home that is at least 90% complete; that specific rule should not be treated as a new-build financing recommendation. Ask an offering lender how the program’s appraisal, loan-to-value, project and draw rules apply to your transaction. Compare the whole offer, including fees and any existing mortgage rate affected by the transaction.

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HomeStyle Refresh

HomeStyle Refresh is a separate Fannie Mae option for eligible improvements to existing properties alongside qualifying mortgage products; it is not interchangeable with HomeStyle Renovation. Its improvement limit and documentation requirements are set out in the HomeStyle Refresh section of Fannie Mae’s Selling Guide. Confirm the current limit and whether your transaction qualifies with the lender.

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How construction-to-permanent financing works

For a new build, Fannie Mae describes two construction-to-permanent structures: single-closing and two-closing. In this arrangement, construction financing is replaced or converted into long-term mortgage financing. The lender determines how the construction phase is funded and administered; the exact draw, inspection and conversion terms belong in your written offer. See Fannie Mae’s construction products overview and its construction-to-permanent financing FAQ.

  • Ask whether the offer uses one closing or two, and what fees apply to each.
  • Clarify when funds are drawn, what inspections or documentation trigger a draw, and who approves changes.
  • Find out how the permanent rate is set, whether it can change before conversion, and what the conversion process requires.
  • Ask how cost overruns, construction delays or a change in scope affect funding and repayment.

The official materials do not establish universal rates or availability for these structures. Lender terms and eligibility vary.

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Compare offers on the same project

Give each lender the same scope and budget, then request a written breakdown. Compare more than the advertised rate:

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  • Total borrowing cost: interest-rate structure, closing costs, lender fees and repayment term.
  • Monthly and ongoing obligations: estimated payment, any mortgage insurance and when payments begin or change.
  • Eligibility and collateral: required equity, credit and income underwriting, property and occupancy rules, appraisal basis and applicable loan limits.
  • Project administration: eligible work, contractor approval, required plans or permits, escrow, draw timing, inspections and change-order procedures.
  • Contingencies: how the lender handles a shortfall, a cost overrun or work that is delayed.

Ask for current terms from lenders rather than relying on a general rate comparison: the official sources describe program rules, not individualized pricing, approval odds or payments.

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Prepare before applying or signing

  1. Define the scope. Get more than one written contractor estimate and make sure each covers comparable work. HUD advises comparing estimates and understanding what you sign.
  2. Build the full budget. Account for design, permits, materials, labor and any contingency your lender requires. Do not start until you understand the costs and loan obligations.
  3. Check program fit. Ask lenders which products they offer and whether your property, occupancy, project, contractor and timeline meet their requirements. FHA 203(k) financing is available through FHA-approved lenders; Fannie Mae products are offered through participating lenders.
  4. Get comparable written terms. Request the rate, fees, payment estimate, repayment period, any mortgage insurance, eligibility conditions and fund-disbursement rules in writing.
  5. Confirm administration before work begins. Establish what permits, contractor documents, appraisal, inspections and escrow are required, and how the lender handles changes to the project. FHA 203(k) and HomeStyle have program-specific documentation and administration rules.

HUD’s consumer guidance on fixing up a home recommends understanding project costs, loan terms and repayment requirements before proceeding. If you need help assessing your circumstances, a HUD-approved housing counseling agency may be able to help; a lender must provide current program and loan terms for your specific application.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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