October 9, 2018
Why should borrowers consider applying for an FHA One-Time Close (OTC) Construction Loan to build a home? There are several reasons why having a home built for you from the ground up rather than purchasing an existing construction property might be appealing.
FHA One-Time Close mortgages are construction loans that have a single application and closing date; they require the use of escrow and the borrower can either purchase land to build on or use the land already owned.
What are the motivations for using an FHA OTC?
FHA One-Time Close Construction Loans have lower down payment guidelines, equity in the land owned could be used toward the FHA down payment requirement where applicable, and the borrower makes no mortgage payments during the construction phase of the loan.
There are other motivations. You may see websites discussing a lower amount of available housing inventories, creating a condition where there is more demand for existing construction homes than there is a supply of them.
With a construction loan, you don’t need to compete with other house hunters to find an existing property; your home will be built to your specifications rather than looking at someone else’s design and trying to decide if it’s right for you.
FHA One-Time Close loans can be intimidating for some borrowers who aren’t used to the process-at first. Once you learn how the FHA OTC loan works you will have a much better understanding of the process and how it can benefit you.
One thing you will learn about this process is that the loan’s interest rates are locked in prior to construction; you will be protected from future increases in the rate.
One-Time Close loans may have additional requirements from the participating lender, and some restrictions may apply to these loans that don’t apply to others.
For example, some lenders will only fund the construction of a single-unit property with an FHA OTC. Ask your loan officer if you need a multi-unit home; find out what your chosen lender is willing to do in this area before proceeding.
The best thing to do if you are considering building a home from scratch?
Talk to a loan officer who can help you decide on the best course of action for your home loan. FHA One-Time Close loans require more planning than buying a property that has already been built, but many feel the trade-off is worth the effort in terms of getting the dream home you envision rather than trying to find one in a competitive housing market.
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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