October 23, 2017
FHA One Time Close / Single Close construction loan requirements include different FICO score, escrow, and closing requirements than standard new purchase mortgages. Do you know how FHA One Time Close construction loans work?
A Single Loan For The Entire Process
Construction loans typically require two loans-one to purchase, and one to pay for the construction. Under the FHA One Time Close construction loan program, also known as an FHA construction-to-permanent mortgage, there is a single loan. This prevents the need for a borrower to be credit-qualified twice during the lending process.
The procedure for an FHA One Time Close loan has the loan closing first, in order to pay for the land, followed by the construction phase. That means an escrow account is required in order to disburse funds to pay for the home building process.
Requirements of the Borrower
According to the FHA official site, “The borrower must have contracted with a builder (must be a licensed general contractor) to construct the improvements”. However, FHA loan rules do permit the borrower to act as the contractor, but “only if the borrower is also a licensed general contractor”.
There are other requirements-the FHA loan applicant must “be purchasing the land at the closing of the construction loan, or have owned the land for six months or less at the date of case number assignment”.
Owner Occupiers Only
FHA One Time Close mortgages are only for primary residences-you cannot get this type of home loan for a property that at least one borrower on the loan will use as their primary residence. FHA loan rules for this type of transaction allow the construction of a property with as many as four living units, but the borrower must live in at least one of them.
Lender Standards Will Apply
FHA One-Time Close loans are subject to FHA FICO score requirements; keep in mind that FHA minimums are not the only standards which apply. Lender requirements for this type of home loan may be higher than FHA minimums, and state/local law may also have a say in how the home building process is to proceed.
Some lenders require the property securing the One Time Close loan to be a “stick-built” home only rather than a modular home or a manufactured home. However, some lenders do permit non-stick-built properties. If you need a construction loan for a modular or manufactured home, be sure to ask the lender up front whether that financial institution allows those transactions.
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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