The Construction Loan Process
The Construction Loan Process involves everything leading up to the closing and start of construction on your new home. Once you are approved by your lender and your builder is registered, steps need to be taken and documents need to be provided in order to make it to closing.
Drawing Plans and Specifications Are Required
A clear set of architectural drawings with floor plans, showing all dimensions and outside elevations, as well as drawings of the exterior needs to be provided in the final plans and specifications. The contractor will have to provide further details regarding the type of materials which will go into the construction of the home; wood shingle or lightweight tile roofing; brick or stone exterior.
You'll Need an Appraisal Report
The final plans are important to understand the cost of building the home, but it is necessary for the appraisal as well. Just like any other mortgage, lenders need to know the value of your home in order to calculate its Loan-to-Value ratio. But appraising a home that has not been built is a little trickier. That's why professional appraisers need detailed plans and specifications, as well as the total budget for the project to determine its value subject to completion.
The Construction Contract Defines Responsibilities
You and your builder will draw up a Construction Contract. This agreement between both parties outlines the planned construction project, the agreed upon cost of building, and the project's timeframe. The Construction Contract must be fully turnkey, meaning the builder must be responsible for all aspects and the hiring of any and all subcontractors.
Cost Breakdown and Draw Schedule
A cost breakdown needs to be provided by your builder, including all costs going into the construction of your new home, with the total matching that on the Construction Contract. Your lender will usually provide the cost breakdown form to be completed, and have specific guidelines for how draws for the builder are determined and disbursed. Some lenders utilize a line-item percentage of completion method for determining draws while others may use a project percentage of completion method. Typically, funds are disbursed on the basis of work completed.
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November 29, 2022In the summer of 2022 when the housing market was in full-on seller's market mode, some questioned building a home under such conditions; higher current interest rates, possible future interest rate adjustments by the Fed, and plenty of uncertainty about inflation, a recession, etc.
November 22, 2022When building a home, there are important considerations to make for mortgage insurance and the types of policies you may also need if you are building in an area known for natural disasters. Mortgage insurance and hazard insurance are not the same things and even for homeowner's insurance policies, there may be a difference in coverage for certain types of incidents like floods or fires.
November 17, 2022Building a home on your own lot requires you to do a variety of things before you can accept the keys and move into your brand-new, never-before-owned home. Choosing the lender, selecting the builder, choosing your floor plan, how much you will put down and other decisions are all big parts of the process.
