Building A Home in Florida with a VA / FHA Construction Loan
April 14, 2024
The FHA and VA One-Time Close loans are construction-to-permanent mortgages, both of which are important options to consider if you are thinking about building a brand-new home. These One-Time Close Construction programs allow qualified borrowers in Florida to use a single closing to finance both the construction of the house and the permanent financing. The cost of the land can also be financed if you do not already own it. But if you do, lot equity can be rolled in. Even if you have a lien against the lot, it will be paid off and added to the new note.
Florida's most populated city housing trends continue to show residential growth. These cities include Orlando, Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Port St. Lucie, and Clearwater. Many people in these cities including lower populated areas are choosing to build their own homes rather than shopping around when there is not sufficient inventory to choose from.
What Does it Take to Qualify?
You can finance your stick-built, modular, or double-wide manufactured housing with a One-Time Close loan in any of the 67 counties in Florida. Keep in mind that this construction lending program can only be used for single family homes, but not for duplexes, triplexes, or fourplexes. Investor properties are not allowed, and you cannot function as your own builder.
A key advantage of the One-Time Close loan program is that borrowers will only experience one mortgage application, one mortgage approval, and a single closing date. Compare that with more traditional products that feature two of each along with a more complicated process. When construction of your home is complete, there will not be a new borrower requalification or a recertification of the property value. And until that point, mortgage payments will not begin.
If you are looking for a home that fits your family, lifestyle, and future needs, building might be a better plan than buying. Do yourself a favor and consider this option before you make one of the most important decisions in your life.
Want More Information About One-Time Close Loans?
We have done extensive research on the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) and the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) One-Time Close Construction loan programs. We have spoken directly to licensed lenders that originate these residential loan types in most states and each company has supplied us the guidelines for their products. We can connect you with (1) mortgage loan officer who works for a lender that knows the product well and has consistently provided quality service. If you are interested in being contacted by (1) licensed lender in your area, please send responses to the questions below. All information is treated confidentially.
OneTimeClose.com provides information and connects consumers to qualified One-Time Close lenders to raise awareness about this loan product and to help consumers receive higher quality service. We are not paid for endorsing or recommending the lenders or loan originators and do not otherwise benefit from doing so. Consumers should shop for mortgage services and compare their options before agreeing to proceed.
Please note that investor guidelines for the FHA and VA One-Time Close Construction Program only allows for single family dwellings (1 unit) – and NOT for multi-family units (no duplexes, triplexes or fourplexes). In addition, the following homes/building styles are not allowed under these programs: Kit Homes, Barndominiums, Log Cabin Homes, Shipping Container Homes, Stilt Homes, Solar (only) or Wind Powered (only) Homes.
Contact Us: Send Us Your Request – Spam Safe - FHA / VA One-Time Close Loan
Please send your email request to [email protected] which authorizes OneTimeClose.com to share your personal information with one mortgage lender licensed in your area to contact you.
1. Send your first and last name, e-mail address, and contact telephone number.
2. Tell us the city and state of the proposed property.
3. Tell us your and/or the Co-borrower’s credit profile: Excellent – (680+), Good - (640-679), Fair – (620-639) or Poor- (Below 620). 620 is the minimum qualifying credit score for this product.
4. Are you or your spouse (Co-borrower) eligible veterans? If either of you are eligible veterans, down payments as low as $0 may be available up to the maximum amount your debt-to-income ratio per VA will allow – there are no maximum loan amounts as per VA guidelines.
Most VA lenders will go up to $1,500,000 and review higher loan amounts on a case-by-case basis. If not, the FHA down payment is 3.5% up to the maximum FHA lending limit for your county.
Florida's most populated city housing trends continue to show residential growth. These cities include Orlando, Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Port St. Lucie, and Clearwater. Many people in these cities including lower populated areas are choosing to build their own homes rather than shopping around when there is not sufficient inventory to choose from.
What Does it Take to Qualify?
- Down payments for eligible veterans are not required. $0 down payment loans up to $1,500,000 may be available.
- Down payments for FHA borrowers are as low as 3.5%. Lending limits for most Florida counties will max out at $498,257, but several exceed that amount with one going as high as $929,200.
- You will need to verify two years of consistent employment.
- A "middle score" from the 3 credit bureaus of 620 or better is needed.
- The debt-to-income ratio measures your housing and long-term debt against your income. It should not exceed 41% - 43% and varies from one government agency to another.
You can finance your stick-built, modular, or double-wide manufactured housing with a One-Time Close loan in any of the 67 counties in Florida. Keep in mind that this construction lending program can only be used for single family homes, but not for duplexes, triplexes, or fourplexes. Investor properties are not allowed, and you cannot function as your own builder.
A key advantage of the One-Time Close loan program is that borrowers will only experience one mortgage application, one mortgage approval, and a single closing date. Compare that with more traditional products that feature two of each along with a more complicated process. When construction of your home is complete, there will not be a new borrower requalification or a recertification of the property value. And until that point, mortgage payments will not begin.
If you are looking for a home that fits your family, lifestyle, and future needs, building might be a better plan than buying. Do yourself a favor and consider this option before you make one of the most important decisions in your life.
Want More Information About One-Time Close Loans?
We have done extensive research on the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) and the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) One-Time Close Construction loan programs. We have spoken directly to licensed lenders that originate these residential loan types in most states and each company has supplied us the guidelines for their products. We can connect you with (1) mortgage loan officer who works for a lender that knows the product well and has consistently provided quality service. If you are interested in being contacted by (1) licensed lender in your area, please send responses to the questions below. All information is treated confidentially.
OneTimeClose.com provides information and connects consumers to qualified One-Time Close lenders to raise awareness about this loan product and to help consumers receive higher quality service. We are not paid for endorsing or recommending the lenders or loan originators and do not otherwise benefit from doing so. Consumers should shop for mortgage services and compare their options before agreeing to proceed.
Please note that investor guidelines for the FHA and VA One-Time Close Construction Program only allows for single family dwellings (1 unit) – and NOT for multi-family units (no duplexes, triplexes or fourplexes). In addition, the following homes/building styles are not allowed under these programs: Kit Homes, Barndominiums, Log Cabin Homes, Shipping Container Homes, Stilt Homes, Solar (only) or Wind Powered (only) Homes.
Contact Us: Send Us Your Request – Spam Safe - FHA / VA One-Time Close Loan
Please send your email request to [email protected] which authorizes OneTimeClose.com to share your personal information with one mortgage lender licensed in your area to contact you.
1. Send your first and last name, e-mail address, and contact telephone number.
2. Tell us the city and state of the proposed property.
3. Tell us your and/or the Co-borrower’s credit profile: Excellent – (680+), Good - (640-679), Fair – (620-639) or Poor- (Below 620). 620 is the minimum qualifying credit score for this product.
4. Are you or your spouse (Co-borrower) eligible veterans? If either of you are eligible veterans, down payments as low as $0 may be available up to the maximum amount your debt-to-income ratio per VA will allow – there are no maximum loan amounts as per VA guidelines.
Most VA lenders will go up to $1,500,000 and review higher loan amounts on a case-by-case basis. If not, the FHA down payment is 3.5% up to the maximum FHA lending limit for your county.
See Your Credit Scores From All 3 Bureaus
Do you know what's on your credit report?
Learn what your score means.
Articles, Updates, and Guidelines
The Importance Of Your Budget To Build A New Home
April 26, 2024Do you want to build a home from the ground up using a One-Time Close construction loan? Those who invest in construction or renovation projects know some simple guidelines about planning the budget. If you are new to this type of home loan, you'll want to budget like the pros and there are some simple ways to do that.
Tennessee FHA and VA Construction Loans
April 26, 2024Finding the perfect house in Tennessee that's right for your family can be difficult when there is not much inventory to choose from. This could be the right time to learn about the FHA / VA One-Time Close construction loan and build a home that suits your exact needs.
Choosing The Right Place To Build Your Home
April 19, 2024Building a new home on your own means sorting out crucial details. There are builders to hire, floor plans to review, and budget concerns to work out. And then there are the details of the home itself. Is it close enough to essential services, schools, and major highways? Is it far enough away from shopping centers and mass transit?
