Renovation Mortgage Navigator

HomeStyle Appraisal, Contractor & Completion

HomeStyle Renovation uses an as-completed appraisal and formal contractor, documentation and completion requirements.

As-completed value

Fannie requires the appraisal to provide an as-completed value estimating the property after the planned renovation.

Contractors

Renovation work generally must be performed by appropriately licensed contractors or subcontractors when licensing applies under state or local law.

Contract

The renovation contract must identify work, cost, subcontractors/suppliers and the schedule for stages and payments.

Completion

Fannie requires completion certification, generally documented on Form 1004D, and final lien/title protections before final disbursement.

Three parties must agree on one project

The borrower's scope, contractor bid and appraiser's as-completed assumptions need to describe the same renovation. Mismatched scope is a common cause of rework.

Pre-approval renovation checklist

Prepare a preliminary scope, rough contractor pricing, structural/nonstructural classification, expected permit needs, occupancy plan during construction, target completion time and likely as-completed value. Identify condo, manufactured-home, ADU, mixed-use or multi-unit characteristics before ordering the appraisal.

Execution checklist

Confirm the lender actively originates the selected renovation product; contractor accepts draw-based payment; required consultant is available; bid matches appraisal scope; permits can be obtained; contingency/change-order process is understood; and borrower has enough non-escrow liquidity for costs the program will not finance.

MortgageDadOf3 rule: Renovation eligibility depends on the exact program, transaction, project scope, property, appraisal, contractor/consultant requirements and lender execution. A lender's inability to offer a renovation product is not automatically a program prohibition.