FHA has a great program to help with renovating a new home! It’s called the FHA 203k Renovation loan – and if you’ve been on Craigslist, you’ve definitely seen, “this property is eligible for FHA 203k loan!”
It’s a great program for making up to $35,000 of improvements to the home. Many time, foreclosed property has what Realtor’s refer to as “Deferred Maintenance.”
This means that people who could not afford to make their house payment – also could not afford to have the termite / wood rot repaired, or the stove fixed, or the carpet replaced… So this loan is PERFECT for those kinds of updates!
What items can you update – and which ones can you NOT do with this loan? Here are some basic FHA 203k Renovation loan guidelines:
Eligible Improvements/Work for FHA 203k Renovation loan
- Repair/Replacement of roofs, gutters and downspouts
- Repair/Replacement/upgrade of existing HVAC systems
- Repair/Replacement/upgrade of plumbing and electrical systems
- Repair/Replacement of flooring
- Minor Remodeling, such as kitchens, which does not involve structural repairs
- Painting, both exterior and interior
- Weatherization, including storm windows and doors, insulation, weather
- stripping, etc.
- Purchase and installation of appliances, including free-standing ranges,
- refrigerators, washers/dryers, dishwashers and microwave ovens
- Accessibility improvements for persons with disabilities
- Repair/Replace/add exterior decks, patios, porches
- Basement finishing and remodeling, which does not involve structural repairs
- Basement waterproofing, including mold removal
- Window and door replacements and exterior wall re-siding
- Septic system and/or well repair or replacement
- Connection to public water or sewage system
Ineligible Improvements/Work for FHA 203k Renovation loan
- Major rehabilitation or major remodeling, such as the relocation of a wall
- New construction (including room additions)
- Repair of structural damage
- Repairs requiring detailed drawings, plans or architectural exhibits
- Landscaping or similar site amenity improvements, including fence
- Lead-based paint stabilization or abatement of lead-based paint hazards
- Any repair or improvement requiring a work schedule longer than three (3) months; or Rehabilitation activities that require more than two (2) draws/payments.
- Any work requiring a plan reviewer
- Result in work not starting within 30 days after loan closing; or cause the borrower to be displaced from the property for more than 30 days during the time the rehabilitation work is being conducted (FHA anticipates that, in a typical case, the borrower would be able to occupy the property after the mortgage closing.
REMEMBER! If you are a First Time Home Buyer, you might qualify for a Mortgage tax credit (that you don’t have to pay back!)!
Many loan officers in North Carolina do not offer the FHA 203k Renovation loan program, and are not familiar with the process. Please call Steve and Eleanor Thorne, Connect With Us on Facebook in NC for updates and more details! 919-649-5058
I AM LOOKING FOR A 4 BD RM HOUSE. I AM HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING ANY INVENTORY. CAN I BUY A 3 BD RM. HOME AND ADD A BED ROOM AND ADDITIONAL BATH BY PURCHASING WITH A 203k LOAN.? PROCEEDS TO GO TO BUY AND ADD ONE BEDROOM AND ADD A FULL BATH. WHAT WOULD BE THE DOWN PAYMENT? CAN THE SELLER PAY THE CLISING COSTS?
BOB KOZAK
Yes, the Seller can pay closing costs on a 203k loan
Can I fence in my yard using the 203K loan?
I don’t think so
What king of loan home I can use to add a fence in my yard ?
I’m going to close my new home in 3 months
Thank you
You probably need to either ask the Builder to add that to the price of the home, or apply at Home Depot. You do NOT want to apply prior to closing on your home at Home Depot, and if you add it to the cost of the home, you need to send the updated contract with the new price to your mortgage lender. If you are in NC, we would be happy to help 919 649 5058 – we can give you a competitive quote on rates, since they are moving down.