Carlos Scarpero, VA Mortgage Specialist, NMLS 1674385
Are you looking to get a VA renovation loan in Utah?
I can help. I am a Utah licensed VA Mortgage Specialist.
The vast majority of the mortgage loans that I originate are VA home loans and many of these are VA renovation loans.
Working through Edge Home Finance, LLC, a mortgage broker, with 150 different lenders to choose from, I have several options for VA renovation loans in Utah.
VA renovation home loans have the following benefits.
While you are budgeting the renovation, look at the tax side of the house too: Utah’s disabled veteran property tax exemption shields up to $535,459 of taxable value based on your disability percentage, on form PT-025 by September 1. Worth filing in the same year you finish the work, since improvements usually push the assessed value up.
I am proud to have completed the Vetted VA certification program.
Vetted VA is a program that allows loan officers to demonstrate that they have superior knowledge of the VA mortgage program.
Less than 1% of loan officers out there have completed this certification.
The Vetted VA program also provides me a network of loan officers all around the country that can help. This means that any help needed to get the loan closed in a timely manner will get figured out quickly and easily.
Down Payment Required: None
Minimum Credit Score: None officially, but most lenders have their own minimum credit score
Other Requirements: Must have VA home loan eligibility (a Certificate of Eligibility)
Utah is served by the VA’s Denver Regional Loan Center (Box 25126, Denver, CO 80225), the VA office that administers the loan guaranty program for Utah. The loan rules are national, but a few Utah realities shape which houses make good renovation candidates.
Rural Utah properties often come with private wells and septic systems. VA requires water testing for private wells, and when a well or septic system needs work, those repairs can be financed as part of the renovation loan rather than paid out of pocket before closing.
Along the Wasatch Front, older bungalows and mid-century homes are classic renovation-loan candidates: the as-completed appraisal values the home with the repairs finished, which is how buyers win houses that look rough on day one. For the broader picture of buying with VA here, see my guide to VA loans in Utah.
.A VA Renovation Loan is a fantastic mortgage option provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for eligible veterans and service members looking to purchase a home that requires renovations or to refinance their current home and include the cost of necessary improvements. This unique loan package, also known as a “VA rehabilitation loan” or “VA rehab loan,” combines the financing for the home purchase or refinance and the funds needed for renovations into a single loan, making it easier for veterans to achieve their dream home.
For the full national picture of VA renovation financing, read VA renovation financing.
VA renovation is one of several programs that I offer. I am a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator working through Edge Home Finance, LLC, a mortgage broker with VA, FHA, Conventional, USDA, Non QM and more,
I serve the entire state of Utah including:
Layton, Lehi, Logan, Millcreek, Ogden, Orem, Provo, Riverton, Salt Lake City, Sandy, South Jordan, St. George, Taylorsville, West Jordan, West Valley City
VA renovation loans offer flexibility when it comes to the types of renovations and repairs that can be financed. Generally, the goal is to improve the property’s condition and livability, enhancing its overall value. Common eligible renovations and repairs include:
Home Remodeling: Veterans can use VA renovation loans to remodel existing spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, basements, or adding an additional room.
Accessibility Improvements: Veterans can use the loan to make their home more accessible, such as installing ramps, wider doorways, or roll-in showers to accommodate mobility challenges.
Energy-Efficient Upgrades: Improving the home’s energy efficiency with features like energy-efficient windows, insulation, or HVAC systems may also be included in the loan.
Plumbing and Electrical Work: Renovation loans can cover upgrades or repairs to plumbing and electrical systems to meet current safety standards.
Flooring and Painting: Funds can be allocated for installing new flooring, painting the interior and exterior, or any other cosmetic improvements.
It’s important to note that while the loan allows for a wide range of renovations, the scope and extent of the improvements must align with local building codes and regulations. VA’s own standard is that the work be the kind ordinarily found on similar homes of comparable value in the community, and the finished home has to meet VA’s minimum property requirements.
When applying for a VA renovation loan, borrowers will need to provide detailed plans and cost estimates for the proposed renovations. The lender reviews them against VA’s rules and its own program guidelines, and will require a contractor who meets state and local licensing rules. Most renovation programs also require the contractor to be insured and do not let you do the work yourself. Those are lender rules, not VA rules.
Overall, VA renovation loans provide veterans with the financial means to make essential upgrades and improvements to their homes, enhancing their quality of life and increasing the property’s value in the process.
New to the VA program in this state? Start with the complete guide to VA home loans in Utah.
I had gotten the runaround from another VA lender but you made it happen. Thank you Carlos!
Dan Bragg
US Army Veteran, Dayton, Ohio
Carlos made the process of getting a VA loan simple and I had no worries.
Rodney Foster
US Army Veteran, Xenia, Ohio