The Fannie Mae – HomeStyle Rennovation Loan
Renovation-related costs that can be considered as part of the renovation costs include:
- property inspection fees;
- costs and fees for the title update;
- architectural and engineering fees;
- independent consultant fees;
- costs for required permits; and
- other documented charges, such as fees for energy reports, appraisals, review of renovation plans, and fees charged for processing renovation draws.
Note: An amount for sweat equity may not be factored into the renovation costs.
Property Requirements
The security property for a HomeStyle Renovation mortgage can be ….
- a 1 to 4 unit principal residence,
- a 1-unit second home, or
- a 1-unit investment property.
The security property for a HomeStyle Renovation mortgage may be a unit in an eligible PUD, condo, or co-op project. Manufactured homes are not permitted.
When the security property is a unit in a condo or co-op project, the project must be one for which the proposed renovation work is permissible under the bylaws of the homeowners’ association or co-op corporation or one for which the homeowners’ association or co-op corporation has given written approval for the renovation work.
The renovation work for a condo or co-op unit must be limited to the interior of the unit, including the installation of fire walls in the attic.
HomeStyle Eligibility
The standard HomeStyle Renovation loan permits second homes and investment properties.
Mortgage Terms
A HomeStyle Renovation mortgage may be either a fixed-rate mortgage or an ARM loan. The original principal amount of the mortgage may not exceed Fannie Mae’s maximum allowable mortgage amount for a conventional first mortgage.
Fannie Mae provides a HomeStyle Renovation Maximum Mortgage Worksheet (Form 1035), to assist lenders in calculating the maximum loan amount. The cost of renovations is limited to 50% of the “as completed” appraised value of the property.
LTV Ratios
All of the applicable LTV, CLTV, and HCLTV ratios for HomeStyle Renovation mortgages can be found in the Eligibility Matrix.
The LTV ratio calculation differs based on the applicable transaction type.
- For a purchase money transaction, the LTV ratio is determined by dividing the original loan amount by the lesser of the “as completed” appraised value of the property or the sum of the purchase price of the property and the total rehabilitation costs.
- For a refinance transaction, the LTV ratio is determined by dividing the original loan amount by the “as completed” appraised value of the property.
Borrower Requirements
An individual home buyer or homeowner, a for-profit or nonprofit investor, or a local government agency that purchases existing dwellings for renovation is an eligible borrower for a HomeStyle Renovation mortgage.
When a nonprofit investor is the borrower, the lender must assess the nonprofit investor’s viability, by looking at its track record for raising funds for renovation, the background of its board members, a copy of the organization’s bylaws and purpose, a copy of the organization’s Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) statement, a copy of the organization’s latest IRS Form 990, and a copy of a board resolution authorizing the nonprofit to purchase and renovate the security property.
To ensure that the borrower understands all of the terms of a HomeStyle Renovation mortgage, the lender may use Fannie Mae’s HomeStyle Renovation Consumer Tips (Form 1204), as a checklist for the key facts that need to be disclosed to the borrower, and the borrower’s signature will serve as an acknowledgement of his or her understanding of these facts.