From Almost to Dream Home

Finding the Right Home

September 22, 20251 min read

Is It Getting Harder to Find the Right Home?

With rates at their lowest in some time, more buyers are jumping back into the market. But inventory is still tight and many are holding out for the “perfect home.” The challenge? That ideal property may not exist—or if it does, competition is fierce.

That’s where renovation financing can make all the difference. Instead of waiting (or settling), you can transform the “almost right” home into the dream home you’ve been envisioning.

Why Renovation Loans Are a Game-Changer

  • One Loan, One Payment – Roll the cost of renovations into your first mortgage. This locks in a lower rate compared to credit cards or home equity loans.

  • Preserve Cash & Investments – Instead of draining savings or pulling from investment accounts, you can finance upgrades over time.

  • Expand the Options – That house with the outdated kitchen, ugly bathroom, or plain backyard suddenly becomes a contender.

How It Works

  1. Submit a loan application along with a contractor’s estimate and renovation details.

  2. The lender factors in both the cost of improvements and the After-Repair Value when determining loan eligibility.

  3. Renovation funds are included in the mortgage, allowing you to complete upgrades right after closing.

The Possibilities Are Endless

From simple cosmetic updates like paint and carpet…To kitchen remodels, new appliances, or even big-ticket projects like an ADU or pool…

A renovation loan can make it happen.

Jen brings a wealth of experience from the financial services industry, starting as a Certified Financial Planner and later earning her MBA in Finance from Duke University. After working in Corporate Bond Sales and raising three daughters, she joined Team Pogue Real Estate, where she’s spent over a decade building community relationships. With a deep understanding of both finance and family life, Jen offers a personalized, thoughtful approach as a mortgage loan originator—committed to helping families find the right path to financial stability and homeownership.

Jennifer Blau

Jen brings a wealth of experience from the financial services industry, starting as a Certified Financial Planner and later earning her MBA in Finance from Duke University. After working in Corporate Bond Sales and raising three daughters, she joined Team Pogue Real Estate, where she’s spent over a decade building community relationships. With a deep understanding of both finance and family life, Jen offers a personalized, thoughtful approach as a mortgage loan originator—committed to helping families find the right path to financial stability and homeownership.

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