What Is a Renovation Mortgage?
A renovation mortgage is a unique type of home loan that allows you to finance both the purchase (or refinance) of a property and the cost of any necessary repairs, upgrades, or improvements, all rolled into one convenient mortgage. Rather than applying for two separate loans — one for the house itself and another for the renovations — this financing solution lets you combine everything into one monthly payment.
This means you can move forward with your homebuying or refinancing process without needing to dip into your savings for costly renovations or taking on multiple forms of debt. Whether you’re eyeing a fixer-upper or need funding for significant repairs to your current home, a renovation mortgage can help streamline the process, saving you time and money.
How Does a Renovation Mortgage Work?
In essence, a renovation mortgage is designed to give you the financial flexibility to buy a home that requires updates or changes — and provide the funds needed to make those changes. Here’s how it typically works:
-
Purchase and Renovation Costs Combined – You can finance the total cost of purchasing the home and the renovations together, making the entire project more manageable. Whether you’re buying an older home in need of repairs or refinancing an existing property for upgrades, this type of mortgage combines it all into one loan.
-
Appraised Value After Renovation – Instead of using the property’s current value to determine the loan amount, a renovation mortgage is often based on the after-renovation value. This means that if the improvements you plan to make will increase the home’s value, you can borrow based on the potential worth of the property, giving you more flexibility and better loan terms.
-
Loan Disbursements – The funds for the renovation portion are typically disbursed in phases, as work is completed. This allows you to pay contractors and suppliers as the project progresses, ensuring you’re only paying for work that’s been done.
In a rapidly growing city like Bend, Oregon, where housing demand is high, many prospective buyers are opting to purchase older homes with the intention of renovating them to fit their needs. Renovation mortgages can be a perfect fit for those buyers looking for something with big potential that can be customized to their tastes.
Reasons why a renovation mortgage is a great solution for buyers and homeowners in Bend:
-
🏚️ Fixer-Upper Potential: If you’re considering a home that needs significant repairs or updates, renovation mortgages allow you to roll the purchase price and renovation costs into one loan. This makes it much easier to envision turning a fixer-upper into your dream home, rather than stressing about getting a separate loan for the renovation work later.
-
🧱 Homeowners Looking to Upgrade: For current homeowners, a renovation mortgage offers the flexibility to modernize or expand your home without needing to refinance your entire mortgage. Whether you’re adding a new room, renovating your kitchen, or updating a bathroom, this loan can make it happen without the need for extra personal loans or out-of-pocket expenses.
-
💸 Accessible Financing Without Dipping into Savings: One of the major advantages of a renovation mortgage is that it allows you to finance both the home purchase and renovations without depleting your savings. This is especially crucial for those who want to retain financial flexibility for unexpected costs or future investments.
The Perfect Option for Bend’s Market
Bend, with its mix of older homes and newer developments, offers incredible opportunities for renovation projects. As the real estate market remains competitive, many buyers are choosing to purchase properties that need some work, knowing that they can transform them into something special with the help of a renovation mortgage.
Whether you’re looking to revamp a charming mid-century home in the city center or create your ideal retreat on the outskirts of Bend, a renovation mortgage provides a practical and affordable way to finance your vision. From smaller updates to major remodels, this loan helps you achieve a space that suits your lifestyle, while maintaining financial stability.
Getting approved for a renovation mortgage can feel a little more complex than a traditional loan. You’re not just buying a home — you’re financing future repairs, upgrades or even full-scale remodeling. That’s exactly why working with a mortgage broker can make all the difference.
Here’s how mortgage brokers work for you:
- 🔎 They shop multiple lenders to find the best rates and loan structures that match both the home’s value and renovation potential.
- 🧠 They understand Bend’s unique housing market, including the type of upgrades that increase property value here.
- 📝 They help with extra paperwork like contractor bids, repair estimates, and renovation timelines — which can be part of the loan process.
When you’re working with one person who knows how to blend the homebuying and renovation processes, you’re not just saving time — you’re potentially saving thousands of dollars.
Stay Up-to-Date on Mortgage Rates and News 📊
To make the most informed decision about your renovation mortgage, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest mortgage rates and real estate trends. Here are some helpful external resources that can guide you through the ever-changing housing and financing market:
-
Mortgage Rate Updates: Stay on top of daily mortgage rate changes to ensure you’re getting the best deal available.
-
Bend Housing Market News: Read up on Bend’s local real estate news and trends to understand how the local market is evolving.
-
Home Renovation Tips & Resources: Check out HGTV’s renovation advice for inspiration and practical tips on home improvement projects.
Mortgage Broker vs. Direct Lender
Feature | Mortgage Broker (🎯 You-focused) | Traditional Lender (🏦 Single-source) |
Loan Options | Access to multiple renovation loan types | Limited to in-house options |
Rate Comparison | Compares rates across lenders | Offers only their own rates |
Renovation Loan Expertise | Often specialized in construction/renovation loans | May not have dedicated knowledge |
Local Market Insight (Bend) | Deep understanding of neighborhood value trends | May operate from out of region |
Paperwork & Process Help | Helps navigate contractor estimates, inspections, etc. | Less support with extra requirements |
Custom Fit | Matches you with the most flexible solution | More rigid loan approval guidelines |
👉 Want to go deeper?
Learn more in our post: Is It Worth Using a Mortgage Broker Bend?
At Ease Lending, we help our Bend clients explore the right renovation loan programs — whether they’re buying a fixer-upper near downtown or refinancing a classic craftsman in need of modern upgrades. Because we’re brokers, not tied to one lender, we can guide you to options that truly align with your home vision and budget.
Buying a home that needs work — or finally taking on those long-awaited renovations — can be one of the most rewarding things you do as a homeowner. But it can also feel like a puzzle How do you fund both the purchase and the improvements without juggling multiple loans, hidden costs, or long delays?
That’s exactly where a renovation mortgage comes in. It’s built to support your vision from day one, helping you turn potential into reality — whether that means restoring a historic home, opening up the floor plan, or updating kitchens and bathrooms to match your style.
But choosing the right loan is just one part of the process. The other? Working with the right expert to guide you through it.
That’s where Ease Lending stands out.
As experienced mortgage brokers in Bend, we’re not tied to a single bank or one-size-fits-all option. We work on your behalf — comparing rates, uncovering renovation-friendly loan programs, and simplifying the process so you can focus on the exciting part: building your dream space. Whether you’re looking to transform a newly purchased home or refinance your current one to fund a remodel, we’re with you every step of the way.
Our local knowledge of Bend’s neighborhoods, construction timelines, and real estate market helps us guide you toward options that not only make sense now — but support your long-term goals. We’ve helped families renovate mid-century gems on the west side, open up cozy cabins in the foothills, and reimagine investment properties into income-generating spaces.
Let’s bring your renovation dreams to life.
Visit Ease Lending to explore your options or contact us here to start the conversation. Your upgraded future starts with the right mortgage — and the right broker to get you there.