The "FHA" One-Time-Close Loan
Single Close Loans allow you to wrap up the financing of lot purchase, construction and permanent mortgage into one loan insured by the FHA. Under this option, you can apply for a 15- or 30-year loan with a fixed rate that’s locked in before construction on your new home begins.
With a Single Close Loan comes a single set of closing costs. These costs can be partially paid for you, since the FHA allows interested party contributions (sometimes referred to as seller concessions, although commonly paid by the builder in the case of a construction-to-permanent loan) up to 6 percent of the total acquisition cost.
What is an FHA Loan?
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is a government agency within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In an effort to stimulate America’s housing market and assist Americans in securing safe and affordable housing, the FHA insures mortgages on single and multifamily homes.
The FHA offers homebuyers a number of mortgage options, including the One-Time Close Construction-to-Permanent loan. The loan is provided by private, FHA-approved lenders and is backed by the FHA, giving lenders peace of mind about approving borrowers for large mortgages.
Who Can Apply
While only veterans and rural residents can apply for loans with the VA, securing a Single Close Loan with the FHA is easier for other homebuyers. It also allows you to take advantage of the FHA’s lenient borrower guidelines.
There is a low down payment requirement of 3.5 percent. If you already own the land on which your new home is being built and have equity in the land, the equity can be used towards the 3.5% down payment. Furthermore, the down payment can be paid for entirely with "gift funds."
Most lenders typically have a credit score requirement of at least 620. The FHA also requires proof of employment and income, and no late or missed payments in the last 12 months.
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September 27, 2022If you want to build your own home from the ground up, or you want to purchase a fixer-upper, your loan officer will help you to apply for the right loan for your needs. Not all mortgages are alike, and the nature of the purchase often dictates the type of loan you get. For example, building a house on land you own (or purchase as part of the project) would require a single-close construction loan.
September 22, 2022One-Time Close construction loans have unique requirements, Lenders who offer these loans often have higher credit score requirements and there are some unique issues for those who choose to build rather than buy existing construction.
September 20, 2022If you want to build your home from the ground up on your own lot, the One-Time Close construction loan, also known as a single-close construction loan, is a good option to consider. And when you consider those options, there are some questions to ask that are a bit further down on most people’s “need-to-know” list but should be asked regardless.
