If you’re the kind of person who has always dreamed of walking into a home that fits you like a glove, then you’re likely interested in building a new home. Maybe you have a piece of scenic property that you’d love to make into your own homestead, or you have a house that you are planning on demolishing and building completely new. Whatever the reason that you’d like to construct a brand new home, you might be wondering if it’s possible to finance the construction and the house itself at the same time, rather than taking out a loan for the construction and for the mortgage.
Today, we’ll discuss a type of construction loan called the one time close construction loan, which is perfect for those who want to streamline their application process and reduce their closing costs.
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The “one time close” in the title of this loan product actually refers to closing costs, which are usually mandatory for every type of mortgage. If you have two separate loans for construction and the house itself, you will have to apply twice and, therefore, close twice. Closing costs can be pretty expensive, from 3% to 6% of the overall cost of the home; if you have two loans, you’re looking at up to 12% of the total sum of your separate loans.
With a one time close construction loan, you are getting one loan that does two things: firstly, it is a loan for the construction of your home, which covers building, designing, materials, and so on; secondly, it will convert into a conventional mortgage once your home is complete, so you don’t have to worry about ending one loan and beginning another.
It’s not just that one time close construction loans are convenient - though they certainly are - but that they will save you a great deal of money over the length of your loan.
As mentioned previously, closing costs can be incredibly expensive; if you only have to close one time, you are spending up to 6% of the total loan, rather than a potential 6% of two separate loans.
It’s easy to see why this is so helpful if we use an example. Let’s say that you have two loans: $100,000 for construction, and $200,000 for the overall home. The $100,000 loan has a down payment of 15% and a closing cost of 3%, and the $200,000 loan has a down payment of 20% and closing cost of 6%. Overall, you will be paying $70,000 in down payments and closing costs.
Now, let’s say that you instead choose a $300,000 one time close construction loan. This time, you have a 15% down payment and closing costs of 4% the total sum; now you’re only paying $57,000 in down payments and closing costs for the total project, saving you $13,000 which can be used to pay for other components of the project.
The other benefit is that you will only have to apply for one loan, which makes the process much easier and faster. Instead of having to do twice the paperwork, most of which is the exact same for each loan, you’ll streamline the process and fill everything out only once. Better yet, the interest rates for this home loan product are often lower than other mortgages, because the loan is secured by the actual house itself. And, just like if you took out a fixed rate mortgage, you will be locking in the rate when you start constructing the house, which means you won’t have to worry about inflation raising your monthly mortgage payment.
You’re likely wondering how to get a one-time close construction loan - and you’re in luck. One of the best ways to secure this exciting mortgage option is by working with a reliable mortgage broker, who can assist you every step of the way.
As a one time close construction loan is such a unique product, it’s best to discuss this option with experts, and there’s no one better to consult than an expert mortgage broker. These industry professionals are there to advocate for you, ensuring you get the best rates on a mortgage product that exactly suits your needs. Unlike mortgage professionals who work for banks, a mortgage broker is on your side, and they want to ensure that you’re completely happy with the loan that you choose. They’ll help you compare different products and use their years of experience to guide you in the right direction - and they’ll help you fill out all the paperwork as well.
If you’re in the market to build a new home, a one time close construction loan may be the perfect product for you - and you can rely upon the help of a mortgage broker to get the best deals to create the house of your dreams.
