Building a House? Consider a Construction Loan
pinetreefinpart
in Commercial Property, Commercial Real Estate, Construction Loan, Real Estate Investment
If you’ve been shopping around for a new home for an extended period, you’re probably aware of the limited options available on the market. You want a new home, but you don’t want to finance something that doesn’t match what you want.
Likely, you’ve thought about the possibilities of having your own home built from scratch. If so, construction loans might be the option for you.
What Is A Construction Loan?
A construction loan is, as the name suggests, a loan that covers the cost of having a home built. It includes homebuilding expenses like builder plans, lot purchasing, and construction costs. With these types of loans, an aspiring homeowner can have the perfect home built from the ground up.
After applying and being pre-approved for a construction loan, the future homeowner would then initiate the process of having the home built. Each situation is different, but the process looks similar to the following:
- The homebuyer seeks an architect to develop the house plans.
- The homebuyer purchases a plot of land on which the home will be constructed.
- The contractor begins planning the construction project.
- The loan is granted to the homebuyer and a term is placed on the length of the construction project (usually between 6 months and 1 year).
- Construction begins and the home is built.
Different Types of Construction Loans
Depending on the homebuyer’s financial situation, one of the following construction loan types will be more appropriate than others. These five types of construction loans differ in terms and qualifications.
- USDA. This type of loan requires 0% down, but the plot has to be a USDA-approved space before the loan can be issued.
- VA. VA loans also do not require any money down, but the homeowner has to qualify by having a military service history. Loan amount limits may also vary.
- Conventional. Requires some percent of the total as a down payment and each case is looked at differently.
- Commercial. This type of construction loan does not apply to homes and instead is used for places of business.
- FHA. Several requirements have to be met to be approved for an FHA loan, and there is a down payment necessity of at least 3.5% of the total.