Learn About FHA and VA Construction Loans
Find out how you can build a home on land you already own.
If you've decided to have your new home built from scratch, you might be wondering how to finance the construction and purchase. This Single Close Loan gets you from construction to occupancy with one mortgage in a streamlined process.
PDF Download: One-Time Close 101
Low Down Payment Loans Available
The One-Time Close Loan is a mortgage program that finances the construction, lot purchase, and permanent loan of a new home, all wrapped up in a single mortgage with a single closing.
Previously, most construction loans required two separate closings, as well as a re-qualification process. The One-Time Close Loan helps you avoid the extra step, saving you time and money. And with Single Close Loans available through the VA and FHA, having your new home built on your own land is easier than before!
October 11, 2022There are a variety of home loans that can be used for a variety of purposes. Getting the right loan is an important part of the journey toward home ownership. Did you know the loan used to build a home from the ground up is not the same as the one you use to buy an existing property with? You would not apply for a loan to buy an existing home in the suburbs when you want to build one from the ground up. The process is quite different.
October 6, 2022When you build a home with a One-Time Close mortgage, a down payment and closing cost payments are required, the same as any other mortgage. When it comes to these expenses, some borrowers might assume you just hand the lender a check and call it a day, but there are rules to know about closing costs and down payments on your single-close construction loan that make a big difference when it's time to plan and save for the loan.
October 4, 2022How should you prepare for a construction mortgage? It can take time to prepare your finances and credit for any kind of loan application, and One-Time Close construction loans typically require some extra time to plan and save. This is why you should start preparing as early as possible.
Do you know what's on your credit report?
Learn what your score means.
Non-Allowable Properties
The following home property types are excluded from the program, meaning that you won't be able to use the One-Time Close loan for financing:
Kit Homes
Steel framing kits for metal buildings that are assembled on site.
Barndominiums
Metal structures that combine living quarters with traditional barn space.
Log Cabin Homes
Pre-cut kits for log buildings that are assembled on site.
Shipping Container Homes
A dwelling made from a steel container otherwise used for shipping
Stilt Homes
Houses raised on piles over land or a body of water.
Solar Only or Wind Only Powered Homes
Homes that are powered on-site solely by solar panels or solely by wind turbines.
Dome Homes
Homes made in the shape of a sphere utilizing shell framework.
Bermed Earth Sheltered Homes
Homes with earth (soil) against the walls, roof or buried underground.
Tiny Homes
Homes that are 600 square feet or less.
Accessory Dwelling Units
Additional living quarters that are independent of the primary dwelling.
A-Framed Houses
Building with a tall triangular roof that resembles the letter A.
The primary reason for these exclusions is that all non-regular homes are considered unique properties and hard to get comps for under VA and FHA. These homes require specialized construction techniques, making it even more important that a single builder starts and finishes a project. If the builder were to quit before a job is finished, the lender would need to step in and find a replacement. This can be more difficult than usual due to the specific nature of the work.
