Remodeling Your Home: Financing Options to Consider for a Major Renovation

remodeling your seattle homeRecently, I spoke with a Seattle homeowner who is planning a major remodel. Like many homeowners, he initially reached out asking about a HELOC — which is often the first option people think of when they want to improve their home. They currently have a very low rate with their existing mortgage, which is one reason why they’re considering a home equity line of credit.

As we talked through his plans, budget, and long-term goals, it became clear that there were several ways to approach financing a remodel, each with very different advantages and limitations.

If you’re considering remodeling your home — whether it’s a kitchen overhaul, an addition, or a full transformation — understanding these options upfront can help you choose the strategy that fits your project best. [Read more…]

Renovation Mortgages: Turning “Fixer-Uppers” Into Your Dream Home

Renovation Home Loan Mortgage Every home has a story — and sometimes that story includes a little frosting falling off the roof.

In my new Sora-generated video, you’ll see a fun twist: my animated character repairing a gingerbread house as though it were a real remodel. It’s a playful way to highlight a very real mortgage option many homebuyers and homeowners don’t realize exists: renovation loans. [Read more…]

2026 Conforming Loan Limits: What Washington Homebuyers Should Know

2026 Conforming Loan Limits for Washington HomesLow-Down-Payment Programs, Renovation Loans & Down Payment Assistance Options

[Read more…]

Mortgage Rate Update for the Week of May 12, 2025

Tariffs continue to toy with mortgage interest rates and we have a couple inflation indicators scheduled to be released this week that could impact mortgage rates. Also in this episode, we discuss renovation mortgages.

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, refinancing, remodeling or a reverse mortgage, I am happy to help you!

Thank a Veteran by Accepting their Offer with a VA Loan

Today, much deserved gratitude will be shared to our Veterans. We honor their courage, sacrifice and service that allow us to have our freedom.

As a mortgage professional, I am thrilled when I have received a purchase and sales agreement where the seller has agreed to allow the Veteran to use their VA loan.

A VA Loan is a benefit that the Veteran has earned. There are no loan limits and offers low to no down payment. [Read more…]

Complete Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units

ADU and DADUs with Seattle Mortgage Expert Rhonda PorterWashington is in the top 3 states for leading the country with the addition to accessory dwelling units! This type of housing makes it possible for providing housing to aging parents, adult children who are priced out of the market, a workspace or to provide income as a rental property.

If you have been contemplating adding an ADU to your home or finding a home with (or that could have) an ADU, I encourage you to check out my latest resource guide: Accessory Dwelling Units.


If you’re interested in learning more about financing options, I am happy to help you!

Searching for your Dream Home? Consider a Renovation Mortgage.

If you have been finding the current lack of inventory a challenge, you may want to consider a renovation mortgage. A renovation mortgage (or rehab loan) allows you to finance improvements to the property beyond the sales price of the home. The renovations begin after closing and there are no restrictions on the types of improvements. You can even use this on your existing home as a refinance if you love your location and neighbors and just want to make changes to your home. [Read more…]

Home Improvement and Construction Loans

There are many options available for financing home improvements not to mention using cash or available funds.

What type of program is used may depend on the scope and amount of funds needed for the project. We can help you with everything from a home equity line of credit where you can do the work yourself or a full construction loan if you’re working with a vacant lot or a complete tear-down property. Larger projects may require a general contractor and/or to have the contractor approved by the lender.

Loans that do not require a general contractor are our home equity line of credit, stand-alone second mortgage or a cash-out refi. With the home equity loan of credit or second mortgage, you could keep your existing first mortgage (if there is one).

Here are some possible programs to consider: [Read more…]