December 27, 2018
First-time home buyers aren’t always looking for a pre-existing home. Some want to have a house built to suit according to design plans they have personally approved. The FHA One-Time Close construction loan is an excellent option for those who want to build a home instead of having to scour the housing market for just the right property.
It’s good to explore FHA mortgage loan options in this area by asking a participating lender about the FHA One-Time Close (OTC) construction loan which allows a single loan application and a single closing date instead of the more traditional construction loan which features two loan applications and closing dates.
One closing date is for the construction phase and there is also a second loan and closing date for the mortgage itself. Compare features between the two types of construction loan (OTC versus the two-closing date type construction loan) to get an overview of how each program works.
If you want to explore construction loan options, there are several things to anticipate including a higher FICO score requirement from some participating lenders, and certain restrictions from certain lenders such as a requirement that the borrower not do her own work but use FHA-approved contractors instead.
You may find that One-Time Close loans are available for single-unit homes, but some lenders won’t allow multi-unit properties. Others may allow multiple unit homes but refuse to issue OTC loans for manufactured housing or modular homes.
These rules will vary depending on the lender. The basic FHA loan requirements themselves (as written by the FHA and HUD) are the same as for other mortgages; lender standards is where you may find the greatest variation in rules.
The best advice on FHA One-Time Close loans you can get is to aggressively shop around for the right lender for you-ask about the requirements for this kind of loan versus existing construction mortgages and compare features and options between FHA lenders carefully. What is possible at one financial institution may not be possible at another depending on circumstances.
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.
Browse by Date: