December 6, 2017
FHA construction To Permanent loans in 2018 are a great option for those who want to buy a home but aren’t interested in purchasing existing construction properties. If having a home built for you sounds better than buying one that already exists, the FHA Construction-To-Permanent loan, also known as an FHA One-Time-Close loan / Single-Close loan, might be right for you.
FHA Construction To Permanent Loan Requirements
The basic credit qualifying guidelines for FHA One-Time Close mortgages may vary more among participating FHA lenders. You may find a minimum FICO score requirement of 620 or higher depending on the lender, and in some cases you may learn that a lender has a minimum FICO score benchmark of 660 or better and that two FICO scores may be required.
Credit requirements can be higher for this type of loan, so it’s best to prepare accordingly. The usual advice about not having any late or missed payments 12 months leading up to your home loan application is excellent, but borrowers should know that it’s a very good idea to assume that higher standards will apply at application time.
To get ready for a construction loan, it’s good to work hard on reducing debt-to-income ratios, avoid applying for new lines of credit, and pay close attention to your credit report to avoid delays because of errors, outdated information, or other problems.
Property Types
Not all lenders will support One Time Close construction loans for all eligible property types. Some participating FHA lenders may approve these loans for modular or manufactured homes, while others may only allow construction loans for “stick-built” housing which is what typical suburban homes are. Check with your chosen FHA lender to see what options are available to you in this area. You may also find restrictions on the number of living units allowed for such projects.
Escrow Account Requirements
Escrow accounts are required for FHA One-Time Close mortgages in order to pay and track funds paid to contractors, inspectors, etc. State law and lender requirements will have a say in how your escrow account is to be set up and managed. It’s best to learn the requirements and procedures for these transactions before you apply for the loan so you can make the most informed decisions possible going forward.
Compliance Inspections
The home you have built with an FHA construction loan will be required to meet local, state, federal, and FHA guidelines. The home will be inspected as a condition of loan approval, and any required corrections may warrant an additional compliance inspection.
Anticipate these expenses in your pre-application budget and planning stages; it’s never safe to assume that there won’t be issues that need correction just because the home has been built from the ground up; regulatory changes, new legislation, and other factors may affect any construction project including yours.
Want More Information About One-Time Close Loans?
One-Time Close Loans are available for FHA, VA and USDA Mortgages. These loans also go by the following names: 1 X Close, Single-Close Loan or OTC Loan. This type of loan allows for you to finance the purchase of the land along with the construction of the home. You can also use land that you own free and clear or has an existing mortgage.
We have done extensive research on the FHA (Federal Housing Administration), the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) and the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) 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 to one licensed construction 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 in an effort 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, VA and USDA One-Time Close Construction Program only allows for single family dwellings (1 unit) – and NOT for multi-family units (no duplexes, triplexes or fourplexes). You CANNOT act as your own general contractor (Builder) / not available in all States.
In addition, this is a partial list of the following homes/building styles that are not allowed under these programs: Kit Homes, Barndominiums, Log Cabin or Bamboo Homes, Shipping Container Homes, Dome Homes, Bermed Earth-Sheltered Homes, Stilt Homes, Solar (only) or Wind Powered (only) Homes, Tiny Homes, Carriage Houses, Accessory Dwelling Units and A-Framed Homes.
Your email to info@onetimeclose.com authorizes Onetimeclose.com to share your personal information with a mortgage construction lender licensed in your area to contact you.
- Send your first and last name, e-mail address, and contact telephone number.
- Tell us the city and state of the proposed property.
- 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.
- Are you or your spouse (Co-borrower) eligible veterans? If either of you are eligible veteran’s, down payments as low as $0 may be available up to the maximum amount your debt-to-income ratio VA will allow – there are no maximum loan amounts as per VA guidelines. Most lenders will go up to $1,000,000 and review higher loan amounts on a case by case basis. If not an eligible veteran, the FHA down payment is 3.5% up to the maximum FHA lending limit for your county.
Bruce Reichstein has spent over three decades as an experienced FHA and VA home loan mortgage banker and underwriter where he was responsible for funding “Billions” in government backed mortgage loans. He is the Managing Editor for FHANewsblog.com where he educates homeowners on the specific guidelines for obtaining FHA guaranteed home loans.
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