One-Time Close Construction Loans: VA, FHA, USDA
December 12, 2024
FHA, VA, and USDA: One-Time Close Loans
Want More Information About One-Time Close Loans?
We have done extensive research on the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) and the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) 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 by a licensed 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 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 and VA One-Time Close Construction Program only allows for single family dwellings (1 unit) – and NOT for multi-family units (no duplexes, triplexes or fourplexes). In addition, the following homes/building styles are not allowed under these programs, including but not limited to: Kit Homes, Barndominiums, Log Cabin Homes, Shipping Container Homes, Stilt Homes, Solar (only) or Wind Powered (only) Homes, Dome Homes, Bermed Earth Sheltered Homes, Tiny Homes, Accessory Dwelling Units, or A-Framed Homes.
All known FHA/VA One-Time Close Lenders known to our company will not allow a borrower to act as their own contractor, whatsoever. There cannot be self-builds, relative builds, or employer builds.
Contact Us: Send Us Your Request – Spam Safe
Please send your email request to [email protected] which authorizes OneTimeClose.com to share your personal information with one mortgage lender licensed in your area to contact you. No SSN required • No credit check • 100% free to get started
1. Send your first and last name, e-mail address, and contact telephone number.
2. Tell us the city and state of the proposed property.
3. 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.
4. Are you or your spouse (Co-borrower) eligible veterans? If either of you are eligible veterans, down payments as low as $0 may be available up to the maximum amount your debt-to-income ratio per VA will allow – there are no maximum loan amounts as per VA guidelines. Most lenders will go up to $1,500,000 and review higher loan amounts on a case-by-case basis. If not, the FHA down payment is 3.5% up to the maximum FHA lending limit for your county.
There are multiple options for those who want a One-Time Close (OTC) construction loan to build on their own land. Those who want to build but do not have land may purchase land in conjunction with the mortgage, and they can choose between several options to finance the purchase and construction.
Those options include VA, FHA, and USDA mortgages. What are some of the features of each of these loan options?
FHA One-Time Close Construction Loans
FHA OTC mortgages feature the same low down payment requirement that other FHA home loans do--3.5% down for those with qualifying FICO scores. On paper, FHA loan requirements state FICO scores 580 or above are eligible for maximum financing, but for construction loans you may find lenders typically require a higher FICO score.
That said, FHA loans typically have lower FICO score requirements than some conventional mortgages. Compare FICO score guidelines between multiple lenders to get a better idea of how an FHA mortgage can help.
FHA loans feature no prepayment penalties. FHA loans, including construction loans, do not require the borrower to be a first-time home buyer, and there are no mortgage payments due during the construction phase of the loan.
FHA construction loans are subject to county loan limits for that area. Occupancy by at least one person obligated on the mortgage is required within a reasonable time after the construction project is finished.
In general, you will be required to use an approved contractor for OTC loans. Don’t expect to perform your own labor or hire friends and family to help, etc.
VA One-Time Close Construction Loans
VA One-Time Close construction loans are offered to a specific group of qualified borrowers; currently serving active duty, veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserve, and qualifying surviving spouses of those who have died as a result of military service.
VA construction loans have the advantage of a zero down payment option and unlike FHA OTC mortgages there is no VA loan limit for those who have 100% VA loan entitlement to use for the transaction.
Unlike FHA mortgages, VA construction loans have no VA-imposed FICO score requirements so the lender’s standards will apply. No pre-payment penalties are allowed with VA mortgages and while there is a similar occupancy requirement for VA loans, this requirement differs from FHA construction loans in that a qualifying immediate family member (spouses and dependents) can occupy the property in the borrower’s place and still meet the occupancy rules.
VA construction loans feature a VA loan funding fee, which is waived for those currently receiving or eligible to receive VA compensation for service-connected disabilities. Approved contractors must be used for VA OTC projects.
Those options include VA, FHA, and USDA mortgages. What are some of the features of each of these loan options?
FHA One-Time Close Construction Loans
FHA OTC mortgages feature the same low down payment requirement that other FHA home loans do--3.5% down for those with qualifying FICO scores. On paper, FHA loan requirements state FICO scores 580 or above are eligible for maximum financing, but for construction loans you may find lenders typically require a higher FICO score.
That said, FHA loans typically have lower FICO score requirements than some conventional mortgages. Compare FICO score guidelines between multiple lenders to get a better idea of how an FHA mortgage can help.
FHA loans feature no prepayment penalties. FHA loans, including construction loans, do not require the borrower to be a first-time home buyer, and there are no mortgage payments due during the construction phase of the loan.
FHA construction loans are subject to county loan limits for that area. Occupancy by at least one person obligated on the mortgage is required within a reasonable time after the construction project is finished.
In general, you will be required to use an approved contractor for OTC loans. Don’t expect to perform your own labor or hire friends and family to help, etc.
VA One-Time Close Construction Loans
VA One-Time Close construction loans are offered to a specific group of qualified borrowers; currently serving active duty, veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserve, and qualifying surviving spouses of those who have died as a result of military service.
VA construction loans have the advantage of a zero down payment option and unlike FHA OTC mortgages there is no VA loan limit for those who have 100% VA loan entitlement to use for the transaction.
Unlike FHA mortgages, VA construction loans have no VA-imposed FICO score requirements so the lender’s standards will apply. No pre-payment penalties are allowed with VA mortgages and while there is a similar occupancy requirement for VA loans, this requirement differs from FHA construction loans in that a qualifying immediate family member (spouses and dependents) can occupy the property in the borrower’s place and still meet the occupancy rules.
VA construction loans feature a VA loan funding fee, which is waived for those currently receiving or eligible to receive VA compensation for service-connected disabilities. Approved contractors must be used for VA OTC projects.
FHA, VA, and USDA: One-Time Close LoansWant More Information About One-Time Close Loans?We have done extensive research on the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) and the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) 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 by a licensed 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 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 and VA One-Time Close Construction Program only allows for single family dwellings (1 unit) – and NOT for multi-family units (no duplexes, triplexes or fourplexes). In addition, the following homes/building styles are not allowed under these programs, including but not limited to: Kit Homes, Barndominiums, Log Cabin Homes, Shipping Container Homes, Stilt Homes, Solar (only) or Wind Powered (only) Homes, Dome Homes, Bermed Earth Sheltered Homes, Tiny Homes, Accessory Dwelling Units, or A-Framed Homes.
All known FHA/VA One-Time Close Lenders known to our company will not allow a borrower to act as their own contractor, whatsoever. There cannot be self-builds, relative builds, or employer builds.
Contact Us: Send Us Your Request – Spam Safe
Please send your email request to [email protected] which authorizes OneTimeClose.com to share your personal information with one mortgage lender licensed in your area to contact you. No SSN required • No credit check • 100% free to get started
1. Send your first and last name, e-mail address, and contact telephone number.
2. Tell us the city and state of the proposed property.
3. 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.
4. Are you or your spouse (Co-borrower) eligible veterans? If either of you are eligible veterans, down payments as low as $0 may be available up to the maximum amount your debt-to-income ratio per VA will allow – there are no maximum loan amounts as per VA guidelines. Most lenders will go up to $1,500,000 and review higher loan amounts on a case-by-case basis. If not, the FHA down payment is 3.5% up to the maximum FHA lending limit for your county.
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