The "FHA" One-Time-Close Loan
Single Close Loans allow you to wrap up the financing of lot purchase, construction and permanent mortgage into one loan insured by the FHA. Under this option, you can apply for a 15- or 30-year loan with a fixed rate that’s locked in before construction on your new home begins.
With a Single Close Loan comes a single set of closing costs. These costs can be partially paid for you, since the FHA allows interested party contributions (sometimes referred to as seller concessions, although commonly paid by the builder in the case of a construction-to-permanent loan) up to 6 percent of the total acquisition cost.
What is an FHA Loan?
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is a government agency within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In an effort to stimulate America’s housing market and assist Americans in securing safe and affordable housing, the FHA insures mortgages on single and multifamily homes.
The FHA offers homebuyers a number of mortgage options, including the One-Time Close Construction-to-Permanent loan. The loan is provided by private, FHA-approved lenders and is backed by the FHA, giving lenders peace of mind about approving borrowers for large mortgages.
Who Can Apply
While only veterans and rural residents can apply for loans with the VA, securing a Single Close Loan with the FHA is easier for other homebuyers. It also allows you to take advantage of the FHA’s lenient borrower guidelines.
There is a low down payment requirement of 3.5 percent. If you already own the land on which your new home is being built and have equity in the land, the equity can be used towards the 3.5% down payment. Furthermore, the down payment can be paid for entirely with "gift funds."
Most lenders typically have a credit score requirement of at least 620. The FHA also requires proof of employment and income, and no late or missed payments in the last 12 months.
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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.
