A construction mortgage is a type of quick loan used to pay for home construction. It may be repaid at the conclusion of the loan period or changed into a conventional mortgage. Construction mortgages typically have tougher requirements and higher interest rates because there is more lender risk involved.
Learn more about the two primary types of construction mortgages, how they operate, and what is required to be eligible for one.
Definition and Examples of a Construction Mortgage
A special type of short-term mortgage arrangement that helps pay for home construction is known as a construction mortgage. It may be a construction-only loan that becomes payable when the project is finished, or it may convert into a standard mortgage after a predetermined period of time.
- Alternate name: Construction loan
Most frequently, someone who desires a new home and requires money to pay the contractors as they finish each stage of the building may use a construction mortgage. A contractor could be hired to build a new house on the site or modify an existing one.
How Does a Construction Mortgage Work?
The operation of a construction mortgage differs slightly from that of a standard mortgage. They differ from conventional long-term mortgages in a number of ways, starting with their shorter terms and generally higher interest rates.
These monies are utilized to build the home’s structure as well as purchase permanent fittings. Before the lender distributes the following payment, the status of each step will be checked with an inspection, and the title will be updated.
The borrower makes interest-only payments during the building phase. Payments may not have to start for six to 24 months after the loan is arranged in some circumstances.
The next steps once the project is finished depending on the construction mortgage type. Borrowers for standalone construction loans are responsible for making the loan, which is usually done via refinance.
Types of Construction Mortgages
Construction loans typically fall into one of two categories. Standalone calls for two different loan closings. One closing is needed for construction-to-permanent loans, which begin as construction loans and change into standard mortgages after the building is finished.
Your particular situation will determine whether a single-close or two-close construction loan is the best option for you; each has advantages and disadvantages.
Stand-alone Construction Loan
Some borrowers like transactions with two closings. In other words, they will first apply for a brief construction loan to pay the costs of the project, and then they will apply for a new home mortgage.
A two-closing deal can provide you more freedom and time to look around for a mortgage with a lower interest rate than the one the lender offering a construction loan is offering.
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Construction-to-Permanent Mortgage
A single-closing transaction is one that only requires one application procedure and one closing for a construction-to-permanent mortgage. Once accepted, you’ll have funding for both the building process and the finished house.
You will only be required to pay interest on the construction loan component of the mortgage during construction.
You simply have to pay one set of closing charges and go through one application process, which are the main benefits of this unified method.
How To Get a Construction Mortgage
The lender is taking on a lot more risk when you apply for a construction mortgage because there isn’t a tangible home to use as security. Because of this, you should anticipate that borrowing requirements and interest rates would be greater than they would be for a typical house purchase loan.
When applying for a construction loan, some things to keep in mind are as follows:
- More down payment: While a standard home loan can be obtained with as little as 3% down, construction loans typically require much larger down payments. In most cases, lenders want a 20–25 percent down payment.
- Stronger credit scores: You may need a credit score as high as 700 for some construction loans, which is often higher than what most other standard mortgages require.
- The reputation of the builder: For a construction loan, the builder must also receive lender approval in addition from the borrower. For construction finance, lenders demand that you use a contractor who is registered with the state, has at least two years of experience, has sufficient liability insurance, has a good credit history, and has never been convicted of a crime.
There are construction loans available with a lesser down payment and less strict credit standards. Such borrowers can use the construction-to-permanent loan from the FHA. But don’t forget to take into account the additional layers of eligibility.
