Roll renovation costs into your mortgage with a purchase plus improvements – by Colleen Lemire

April 20, 2021

When you’re looking for a new house, it can be hard to find a place that has exactly what you want. Sometimes a house may need a little TLC (a bathroom update, adding a fence, fixing a deck, etc.). The good news is renovation costs for your new home can be rolled into your mortgage. We call this a purchase plus improvement mortgage.

How does a purchase plus improvement mortgage work?

Step 1: Checking costs

First, you will need to get price quotes that specifically states the work that needs to be done. If the cost of the home and improvements are within the pre-approved mortgage amount, then Sunova will move forward. If the purchase price and improvements are more than your pre-approval purchase price, we will review the mortgage approval to ensure you still qualify for the higher mortgage amount.

Step 2: Appraisal

An appraisal is needed to establish the value of the home. For purchases involving improvements, the property is assessed for the as-it sits value (the current market value of the property) and the as-improved value (the market value of the property after improvements).

Step 3: Move in and start working

Once you get possession of your new home, you can start the renovations. In certain cases, you’ll need to complete the renovations before any ‘improvement’ funds are released.  You may need a plan to carry the cost in advance of getting the funds covered (like a Sunova line of credit).

Step 4: Double checking the work + getting your money

Once you’ve completed the renovations, you’ll need another appraisal to confirm the

home’s improved value. When everything looks good after the progress inspection, available funds from the mortgage will be advanced to you.

With a purchase plus improvements mortgage, there are additional costs involved, such as the progress inspection fees and potential legal fees if a lawyer is responsible for disbursing the funds to contractors. We cannot include these costs in your mortgage, so you will need to budget for them separately.

Let’s connect

If you’d like to learn more about a purchase plus improvements mortgage or talk about your financial goals, I would love to meet with you.

About me

I always knew I wanted to help people. I started working at Sunova 20 years ago and after working in several roles within the credit union, I realized what I like doing most was lending! I enjoy coming to work, helping members reach their goals, and making their dreams come true while building long-lasting, trusting business relationships. I am a mother of three beautiful daughters and proud gramma of a grandson who just turned two. We’re expecting our first granddaughter in June 2021. My daughters and I all live around the Oakbank area. We love that it has the best of both worlds – cozy country, home town feel and close to city limits.