One-Time Close Construction Loan Down Payment Rules
But participating construction lenders who offer VA and FHA loans may be able to offer you lower down payment options through one of those programs.
Conventional Construction Loan Down Payment Requirements
Down payment amounts for conventional loans will vary depending on the lender, your credit scores, and other variables but in general, you will need to put 20% down if you want to avoid paying mortgage insurance. For construction loans, you may be asked to put between 5% and 20% down.
Down payment assistance is typically not permitted for conventional construction mortgages.
VA Construction Loan Down Payment Requirements
VA mortgages come with a no-money down option for its home loans, and that includes construction loans. A zero-down construction loan is a major advantage for any borrower, but VA mortgages are only for those who have qualifying military service.
These loans are not offered to the general public, but if you qualify for one, a VA construction loan is a very good option to have.
FHA One-Time Close Construction Loan Down Payment Rules
The FHA One-Time Close construction loan requires a minimum 3.5% down payment. These construction loans are government-backed, which is why the down payment requirement is lower.
Down payment assistance programs may technically be available to help a borrower with a construction loan, but you may find many participating lenders simply won’t approve construction loans where down payment help is needed.
What To Know About Down Payments On Construction Loans
No matter what type of construction loan you choose, the lender will have strict rules governing the source of your down payment money and how it must be handled in order to qualify. Your down payment money cannot come from a payday loan, for example, and it must not come from a credit card cash advance.
Your down payment cannot be sourced from any non-collateralized loan like a pink slip loan or those mentioned above. No third party with a financial stake in the outcome of the mortgage loan transaction may provide down payment money for a home loan guaranteed by the FHA, the VA, USDA, etc.
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.
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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.
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