Sometimes you just can’t find that dream home that checks all your boxes. So what do you do? Many people have a custom home built, and others buy an existing home with plans to remodel extensively and turn it into their dream. In either case, they’ll need a construction loan – and that’s a different animal from a standard mortgage loan. So here’s what you need to know about construction loans when buying a house in Redlands.
What Is a Construction Loan?
So, first, let’s see exactly what a construction loan is with respect to buying a house in Redlands . . .
“Construction loans are shorter term, higher interest rate mortgages that cover the cost of building or rehabilitating a house. The lender pays a construction loan to the contractor — not the borrower — in installments as building milestones are achieved. Once building is complete, home construction loans are either converted to permanent mortgages or paid in full.”
The great thing about a construction loan is that it allows you to have everything you want in your home. You’re not limited to only what you get in an existing home. But the construction loan process can be fairly complicated. You can find out even more by contacting a Redlands agent at (951) 232-9704.
Construction Loan Types
There are several types of construction loans, each with a different purpose. As they relate to buying a house in Redlands, these types are as follows:
CONSTRUCTION-TO-PERMANENT LOAN
This type of loan does double duty by providing financing for both the construction and your permanent mortgage. “In other words, with a construction-to-permanent loan, you borrow money to pay for the cost of building your home, and once the house is complete and you move in, the loan is converted to a permanent mortgage. The benefit of this approach is that you have only one set of closing costs to pay, reducing your overall fees.”
CONSTRUCTION ONLY LOAN
As the name suggests, this type of construction loan provides funding only for the construction portion of buying a house in Redlands. “The borrower is responsible for either paying the loan in full at maturity (typically one year or less) or obtaining a mortgage to secure permanent financing . . . The funds from these construction loans are disbursed based upon the percentage of the project complete.”
RENOVATION LOAN
This type of construction loan applies to buying a house in Redlands that you want to extensively remodel or upgrade. A renovation loan can take any of several forms, so if you intend to go this route, contact your Redlands agent at (951) 232-9704 to find out more.
OWNER-BUILDER LOAN
“Owner-builder loans are construction or construction-only loans where the borrower also acts in the capacity of the home builder.” The problem with this type of loan is that “most lenders won’t allow the borrower to act as their own builder because of the complexity of constructing a home and experience required to comply with building codes.”
How Does a Construction Loan Work?
A construction loan is different from the traditional mortgage loan you would get for buying a house in Redlands. Here are some of the differences you’ll encounter with a construction loan:
- “Variable rates that move up and down with the prime rate”
- Higher rates than with traditional mortgage loans because there is no existing home to serve as collateral
- Requires “a construction timeline, detailed plans, and a realistic budget”
- Money paid out by lender in stages according to construction progress
Construction Loan Considerations
Now, if you decide to get a construction loan, there are a few things you need to keep in mind, such as:
- Will you encounter any factors, such as bad weather, that can put the construction off schedule?
- Will you need to obtain more than one loan to complete the project?
- How much will closing costs and other fees be if you have to get more than one loan?
- Do you have or can you get the funds to purchase the land to construct your home on?
Getting It Right When Buying a House in Redlands
So if you can’t find your ideal home, your dream doesn’t have to end there. You have the option of getting a construction loan and building your dream home from scratch or turning an existing home into your dream home. And you have several construction loan paths you can choose from to help you realize your dream.
It’s just that a construction loan is a specialized kind of loan and may require more effort and stricter qualification – even if you’re buying a house in Redlands to remodel and/or upgrade. Be sure, then, to consult a Redlands agent to find out the best construction loan option for your needs. So if you’re looking into a construction loan as part of your plan for buying a house in Redlands, contact us today at (951) 232-9704.