Many homes in and around Long Beach have good bones but dated kitchens, tired roofs or systems near the end of their life. A renovation loan lets you finance those improvements through your mortgage, either when you buy a fixer-upper or when you update the home you already own. This page compares FHA 203(k), conventional renovation loans and equity-based options available to New York homeowners.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about renovation loans in Long Beach. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Housing age and remodeling in Long Beach
77% of the housing in Long Beach was built before 1980, and the median home was built in 1961. Lenders made 2,347 home improvement loans in Nassau County in 2024.
FHA 203(k): limited and standard versions
The FHA 203(k) program lets you finance the purchase or refinance of a home together with the cost of repairs in a single FHA-insured mortgage. It comes in two versions.
The limited 203(k) is meant for smaller, non-structural projects such as new flooring, a kitchen update, a replacement furnace or fresh paint. The standard 203(k) handles larger work, including structural repairs, additions and major system replacements, and it requires a HUD-approved 203(k) consultant who inspects the home, writes up the work and oversees progress. Both versions follow FHA guidelines on property use and eligible improvements, and you may qualify subject to credit approval.
Start your application in a few minutes. A licensed loan officer reviews it and follows up with your options.
- Takes a few minutes
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- No obligation to proceed
Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 912-6746. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.
Conventional renovation loans and equity-based options
Not every remodel needs a dedicated renovation mortgage. Owners with plenty of equity often compare three alternatives. A home equity line of credit lets you borrow as bills come due. A home equity loan provides a lump sum up front. A cash-out refinance replaces the first mortgage and delivers the difference as cash.
Renovation-specific loans, whether FHA or conventional, tend to fit buyers of fixer-uppers or owners with limited current equity, because the loan is sized on the after-improvement value. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor, so ask a lender to lay out the options side by side.
Who this tends to fit
- You are working with a licensed contractor who can provide itemized written bids
- You have limited equity today but expect the improvements to raise the home's value
- Your project includes structural repairs, an addition or a major system replacement
- You are buying a fixer-upper that needs repairs before or soon after you move in
- You have strong equity and are comparing a HELOC, home equity loan or cash-out refinance
Local offices and New York rules to know
New York property tax relief: Owner-occupants whose home is their primary residence can get school tax relief through the STAR program, and new homeowners register for the STAR credit with the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.
Contractor bids, permits and older homes in Long Beach
The quality of your contractor bids shapes the entire loan. Vague estimates slow underwriting, while detailed, itemized bids from a licensed contractor make it easier for the appraiser to value the finished home and for the lender to release repair funds on schedule.
Homes built decades ago often need more than cosmetic work. Knob-and-tube wiring, old galvanized plumbing, asbestos or lead paint can expand a project once it begins. A contingency reserve helps absorb those discoveries. Pulling the right permits protects you at resale and is typically a condition of the loan, so confirm requirements with your local building department early.
Before you call
- Contractor license numbers, insurance certificates and references
- A list of the repairs and upgrades you want, ranked by priority
- Photos or inspection reports showing the current condition of the home
- Itemized written bids from licensed and insured contractors
- An estimate of how much contingency you want for surprises in an older home
Questions Long Beach borrowers ask about renovation loans
Can I do the renovation work myself?
Most renovation programs require licensed and insured contractors for the bulk of the work, because the lender needs assurance that repairs are completed properly and on time. Some programs allow limited do-it-yourself work under specific conditions, but it is often restricted. If you plan to handle any part of the project yourself, raise it with the lender before you apply so you understand what is and is not allowed.
How does a renovation loan decide how much I can borrow?
Most renovation loans use the after-improvement value, which is the appraiser's estimate of what the home will be worth once the planned work is finished. The appraiser relies on your contractor bids, plans and comparable sales to set that value. This approach can help buyers of fixer-uppers or owners with limited equity, since the loan reflects the home's improved condition rather than only its current state.
What happens if we find unexpected problems once work starts?
Older homes often reveal hidden issues once walls, floors or ceilings are opened. Many renovation programs build a contingency reserve into the budget to cover these surprises. If the reserve is not used, it is typically applied to the loan balance or handled according to program rules. If problems exceed the reserve, you may need to cover the difference or adjust the scope of work.
How are renovation funds paid to my contractor?
Repair money is usually placed in an escrow account at closing rather than handed to you directly. As the contractor completes portions of the work, they request payment, an inspection or consultant review confirms progress, and the lender releases funds. This protects you from paying for unfinished work and keeps the project tied to the budget approved in your loan.
Get answers about renovation loans for a home in or around Long Beach. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other loan options in Long Beach
LendersCompaniesBrokersHome loansRefinanceCash-out refinanceHELOCHome equity loanFHAVAFirst-time buyerUSDAJumboReverse mortgageConstruction
Renovation Loans near Long Beach
- Renovation Loans in Lawrence, NY (3 mi)
- Renovation Loans in Oceanside, NY (3 mi)
- Renovation Loans in East Rockaway, NY (4 mi)
- Renovation Loans in Hewlett, NY (4 mi)
- Renovation Loans in Cedarhurst, NY (4 mi)
- Renovation Loans in Baldwin Harbor, NY (4 mi)
- Renovation Loans in Woodmere, NY (4 mi)
- Renovation Loans in Lynbrook, NY (5 mi)
Related guides
- FHA 203(k) Loans: Buy or Refinance and Renovate in One Loan
- Cash-Out Refinance vs. HELOC: Choosing How to Use Your Equity
- HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan: Which Way to Tap Your Equity
Renovation Loans across New York · Renovation Loans guide · New York overview
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
- 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for Nassau County