The Renovation Loan We Found on Instagram

Wanted to give you guys a tip on how we’re making this renovation work—because let me tell you, navigating this market is no joke. We first came across the 203K loan option thanks to Matt Porcaro on Instagram (@the203kway)—and that’s what originally got us thinking, okay, maybe this reno thing is actually doable.

The 203K is an amazing option for first-time buyers or anyone looking for a renovation loan that’s paired with an FHA mortgage. But our house ended up being outside the FHA parameters, so we had to pivot.

That’s when we found the HomeStyle Renovation Loan —and honestly, it’s been a total game changer. With home prices where they are right now, this is such a smart way to renovate and create your dream home without paying millions of dollars out of your own pocket. These loan products are especially great if you’re a first-time buyer or looking for a conventional mortgage with room to customize.

Especially here in Dallas, the market is wild. New builds in great areas are rare, and the ones that are out there? You’re looking at $1M+ easy. Most of the time, it feels like you have to choose between a shiny new build in a sketchy area or a dated home in a great neighborhood for a crazy price. But there’s another option: find a home with potential in a solid area and renovate it your way—at a better price.

That’s where the HomeStyle Renovation Loan really came through for us.

So, what even is this loan?

The HomeStyle Renovation Loan is backed by Fannie Mae and lets you wrap renovation costs into your mortgage. Whether you're buying a fixer-upper or refinancing your current home to give it new life, this loan allows you to bundle it all into one mortgage—with one monthly payment. No separate loan, no draining your savings, just one smart financing option.

Trust me—I thought it sounded too good to be true too. But once we dug into the details, it made total sense and opened up way more possibilities than we expected. Shoutout to Brad Follis at PrimeLending for helping us through the entire process!

What can you use it for?

Basically anything that adds value to the home, like:

• A new kitchen or bathroom

• An addition or open-concept layout

• Flooring, windows, or roof updates

• Energy-efficient upgrades

• Even outdoor work or adding a pool

As long as the work adds value and is done by a licensed contractor, you’re good to go. (DIYers, I know—we felt the same way, but trust me, having it professionally done is part of what protects your investment.)

Is there a limit on how much you can renovate?

Not a strict one. There’s no fixed cap like “you can only spend $50K.” Instead, the limit is based on the after-renovation appraised value of the home. The total loan amount (purchase price + renovation costs) can’t be more than 75% of what the home will be worth once all the work is done.

So basically: the more value your renovation adds, the more you can do.

Why we’re into it

This has been a total game changer for us. We found a home in a great neighborhood that needed a little (okay, a lot of) love, and instead of being scared off by the work, we saw it as an opportunity. The HomeStyle loan gave us the flexibility to buy in the location we wanted and actually make the house ours, all without needing to write two separate checks or dip into a ton of cash.

A few quick things to know:

• You’ll need a contractor and detailed renovation plans upfront.

• Renovations need to start within 30 days of closing.

• You’ve got 6 months to finish the work.

• Funds are released in stages as the work is inspected and completed.

Bottom line: If you’re house hunting and feel stuck between overpriced new builds and dated homes in the right zip code—this loan might be the solution you didn’t even know existed (we sure didn’t until the scroll hit just right). With the HomeStyle Renovation Loan, you can get the location and the look you want—without blowing your budget.

Have questions? Drop them below! Always happy to share what we’re learning as we go!

Week 1: Demo Progress, Design Plans, and Our Wedding Photos Came In!!

Renovation officially kicked off this week! The crew started last Monday, and while we’re not fully through demo just yet, things are already looking completely different. Andrew and I tackled a little bit ourselves (our full on HGTV moment), and then the pros came in and completely gutted the kitchen and master bathroom. It’s wild how fast it all starts to move once you're in it.

Also—if you’re looking for a solid set of gently used appliances, we’re listing everything the sellers left us on Facebook Marketplace. Stove top, double oven, dishwasher... all ready for a new home.

We’re also hoping we can pitch the roof further into the kitchen from the living room, so stay tuned. Nothing like casually changing the structural integrity of your house one week in!

What We're Dreaming Up

Here’s what we’re working toward:

• A fully open-concept main living area

• Raised ceilings throughout the house

• All new flooring (goodbye, mystery carpet)

• A bigger master bedroom with a layout that actually makes sense

• A completely reimagined master bathroom

• A classic kitchen island with storage on all sides

• Calacatta Viola marble countertops that wrap up the backsplash

• A soft, textural Venetian plaster hood (she’s the moment)

• White oak cabinets with brass hardware

We’re aiming for a home that feels elevated and timeless but still warm and lived-in. Something we can grow into—not out of.

Our Wedding Photos Came In!!

In the middle of all the dust and drywall, we had a really sweet moment last weekend. Both of our families came over, and we set up folding chairs and picnic blankets in what’s currently just open space and concrete floors.

The best part? Our wedding photos came in (!!) and we surprised everyone by setting up a projector on the soon-to-be dining room wall. We all sat together—eating snacks, reliving the day, and crying just a little (okay, a lot). There’s something surreal about watching your wedding unfold while sitting in the house you’re building together.

Progress Recap

Here’s what we’ve tackled so far:

• Pulled up all the carpet in the bedrooms (I did this myself—highly therapeutic)

• Tore out the laminate floors in the kitchen and dining areas

• Prepped the space for next steps in framing, electrical, and plumbing

• Dreaming big on that pitched roof plan

We’re loving the process so far—dust, mess, and all. It already feels like we’re building something really special here.

Watch Our Week 1 Vlog

We’ll be posting a new vlog every Sunday so you can come along for the ride. Week 1 is up now, and trust me—it’s got everything: demo, design dreams, and a little bit of us!!

WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!

Well, folks, it’s official—we’re homeowners! As of today, March 19, we signed all the papers, got the keys, and wasted zero time before heading straight to the house, sledgehammers in hand. Because what’s the point of buying a fixer-upper if you don’t immediately start tearing things apart, right?

Andrew and I have spent the past year watching every home renovation show HGTV has to offer. If there were a degree in binge-watching Flip or Flop and Fixer Upper, we’d have our PhDs by now. And today? Oh, today was our Chip Gaines DEMO DAYYYY moment. Andrew may not have done a full somersault through a wall (yet), but give it time.

We got married in November, and here we are just a few months later, already laying the foundation (literally and figuratively) for our future. We recognize how incredibly blessed we are to be starting this journey together—to not only build a house but a home where we’ll create a lifetime of memories.

Now, this wasn’t just any ordinary first-night-in-the-house situation. Nope, we made it a full-on BYOS (Bring Your Own Seat) pizza night with our parents and siblings. Because when your house doesn’t have electricity yet, you embrace the romance of candlelight and iPhone flashlights while eating pizza off of whatever flat surface you can find. Nothing says “welcome home” like dodging exposed nails while trying to grab another slice.

This is our story in the making! We want to take this place from “lots of potential” (aka needs everything fixed) to our dream home, one demo day at a time. And we’re bringing all of you along for the journey! Expect the good, the bad, the chaotic, and the “wow, did we just make this worse?” moments.

We’ll upload behind-the-scenes videos on TikTok and YouTube so you can see every single step—from demo days to design decisions to, inevitably, some DIY disasters. Give a girl a follow, would ya!

We’re beyond excited, grateful, and ready for this adventure!

Here’s to day one—no lights, lots of laughter, and the start of something incredible.

Let’s flip this thing!