More Reasons Why Construction Loans Are Unique
September 13, 2022
FHA, VA, and USDA: One-Time Close Loans
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 mortgage loan officers who work for lenders that know the product well and have consistently provided quality service. If you are interested in being contacted by a 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, including but not limited to: Kit Homes, Barndominiums, Log Cabin Homes, Shipping Container Homes, Stilt Homes, Solar (only) or Wind Powered (only) Homes, Dome Homes, Bermed Earth Sheltered Homes, Tiny Homes, Accessory Dwelling Units, or A-Framed Homes.
All known FHA/VA One-Time Close Lenders known to our company will not allow a borrower to act as their own contractor, whatsoever. There cannot be self-builds, relative builds, or employer builds.
Contact Us: Send Us Your Request – Spam Safe
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. No SSN required • No credit check • 100% free to get started
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 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.
Construction loans in general are very different from the loans needed to buy existing homes. Buying existing construction is simpler, less costly, and you can move into the home as soon as you have had your closing day and accept your keys in typical cases.
Construction loans, on the other hand, are time-consuming, tend to cost more, and there are delays in moving in until the construction phase is complete and any required inspections have happened.
But these are the most basic differences. Borrowers who are worried about expenses such as the down payment and closing costs likely do well to consider buying an existing home rather than building.
But those who have larger cash reserves, who don’t mind waiting a while until construction is finished, and who don’t need down payment assistance may do well to build a home.
Third Parties
Construction loans differ in other ways, too. The most obvious way is how many people are involved in the transaction.
Buying an existing home requires a seller, a lender, and a borrower. But building a home means getting a builder involved, plus any other third parties needed for inspections, ordering materials, etc. You may work as closely with the builder at certain stages of the project as you do with the lender.
When you buy existing construction, the lender won’t ask you for the seller’s pedigree, qualifications, or related issues.
But when you choose a builder for a construction loan there may be a required builder review process that includes having a look at the builder’s insurance, work history, and review of items specific to your project such as the blueprints, construction plan and timeline, etc.
Some Similarities
Some things aren’t as different between existing construction and new construction as you might think. The going advice is to get pre-approved for a loan before you even consider looking at a floor plan or blueprint.
You do not want to go through the process of choosing blueprints, paying for plans and specifications, and related details only to find out that you didn’t qualify for the loan for some reason.
Talk to a lender before you commit to the process-construction loans do require higher FICO scores and have more strict credit requirements overall. Learn the expectations before you start your research--you will not regret it.
Construction loans, on the other hand, are time-consuming, tend to cost more, and there are delays in moving in until the construction phase is complete and any required inspections have happened.
But these are the most basic differences. Borrowers who are worried about expenses such as the down payment and closing costs likely do well to consider buying an existing home rather than building.
But those who have larger cash reserves, who don’t mind waiting a while until construction is finished, and who don’t need down payment assistance may do well to build a home.
Third Parties
Construction loans differ in other ways, too. The most obvious way is how many people are involved in the transaction.
Buying an existing home requires a seller, a lender, and a borrower. But building a home means getting a builder involved, plus any other third parties needed for inspections, ordering materials, etc. You may work as closely with the builder at certain stages of the project as you do with the lender.
When you buy existing construction, the lender won’t ask you for the seller’s pedigree, qualifications, or related issues.
But when you choose a builder for a construction loan there may be a required builder review process that includes having a look at the builder’s insurance, work history, and review of items specific to your project such as the blueprints, construction plan and timeline, etc.
Some Similarities
Some things aren’t as different between existing construction and new construction as you might think. The going advice is to get pre-approved for a loan before you even consider looking at a floor plan or blueprint.
You do not want to go through the process of choosing blueprints, paying for plans and specifications, and related details only to find out that you didn’t qualify for the loan for some reason.
Talk to a lender before you commit to the process-construction loans do require higher FICO scores and have more strict credit requirements overall. Learn the expectations before you start your research--you will not regret it.
FHA, VA, and USDA: One-Time Close LoansWant 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 mortgage loan officers who work for lenders that know the product well and have consistently provided quality service. If you are interested in being contacted by a 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, including but not limited to: Kit Homes, Barndominiums, Log Cabin Homes, Shipping Container Homes, Stilt Homes, Solar (only) or Wind Powered (only) Homes, Dome Homes, Bermed Earth Sheltered Homes, Tiny Homes, Accessory Dwelling Units, or A-Framed Homes.
All known FHA/VA One-Time Close Lenders known to our company will not allow a borrower to act as their own contractor, whatsoever. There cannot be self-builds, relative builds, or employer builds.
Contact Us: Send Us Your Request – Spam Safe
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. No SSN required • No credit check • 100% free to get started
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 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
One-Time Close Construction Loans Versus Two-Close Loans
November 1, 2024There is a mortgage loan option that lets you build a house from the ground up on land you own or purchase in conjunction with the loan. The One-Time Close loan is the mortgage you want to ask the lender for to build a home from the ground up instead of buying someone else's dream home.
Build On Your Lot in Georgia with an FHA or VA Construction Loan
October 29, 2024Residents in Georgia are finding out that they can utilize these low-down payment construction programs in order to build a new home with the same underwriting guidelines and qualifications as if they were purchasing a resale. Learn more about One-Time Close construction mortgages.
One Time Close Mortgages 101
October 26, 2024The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers a range of mortgage loan options including the ability to build your home from the ground up. The FHA One-Time Close Construction Loan streamlines the process by combining construction financing and the FHA mortgage into a single loan.
