Learn About FHA and VA Construction Loans
Find out how you can build a home on land you already own.
If you've decided to have your new home built from scratch, you might be wondering how to finance the construction and purchase. This Single Close Loan gets you from construction to occupancy with one mortgage in a streamlined process.
PDF Download: One-Time Close 101
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The One-Time Close Loan is a mortgage program that finances the construction, lot purchase, and permanent loan of a new home, all wrapped up in a single mortgage with a single closing.
Previously, most construction loans required two separate closings, as well as a re-qualification process. The One-Time Close Loan helps you avoid the extra step, saving you time and money. And with Single Close Loans available through the VA and FHA, having your new home built on your own land is easier than before!
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June 7, 2024If you want to build your own home, it’s good to know that doing so means taking some extra time to work on your credit and employment history before applying. Construction loans are harder to qualify for with income and employment for some, what do you need to know before you start the process? We examine some key points.
May 31, 2024Many financial pundits and mortgage blogs discuss the current state of construction loan interest rates. Some of these sites make predictions, including noting that One-Time Close construction loan interest rates will likely stay around the mid-6 % range for the rest of 2024. Those hoping to build a home from the ground up this year with interest rates closer to pre-pandemic levels are likely to be disappointed. What should borrowers expect going forward? Is it smart to delay a construction loan until the Fed cuts rates again?
May 23, 2024One-time close construction loans through the VA and FHA programs are available to any financially qualified borrower, whether they are first-time home buyers or experienced homeowners. All VA loans have a military or uniformed service requirement, but FHA mortgages are for any financially qualified borrower. What do you need to know about these construction loans before saving for one?
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Non-Allowable Properties
The following home property types are excluded from the program, meaning that you won't be able to use the One-Time Close loan for financing:
Kit Homes
Steel framing kits for metal buildings that are assembled on site.
Barndominiums
Metal structures that combine living quarters with traditional barn space.
Log Cabin Homes
Pre-cut kits for log buildings that are assembled on site.
Shipping Container Homes
A dwelling made from a steel container otherwise used for shipping
Stilt Homes
Houses raised on piles over land or a body of water.
Solar Only or Wind Only Powered Homes
Homes that are powered on-site solely by solar panels or solely by wind turbines.
Dome Homes
Homes made in the shape of a sphere utilizing shell framework.
Bermed Earth Sheltered Homes
Homes with earth (soil) against the walls, roof or buried underground.
Tiny Homes
Homes that are 600 square feet or less.
Accessory Dwelling Units
Additional living quarters that are independent of the primary dwelling.
A-Framed Houses
Building with a tall triangular roof that resembles the letter A.
The primary reason for these exclusions is that all non-regular homes are considered unique properties and hard to get comps for under VA and FHA. These homes require specialized construction techniques, making it even more important that a single builder starts and finishes a project. If the builder were to quit before a job is finished, the lender would need to step in and find a replacement. This can be more difficult than usual due to the specific nature of the work.