If you need to build a house or do major renovations, consider applying for a construction loan. A construction loan is also a type of mortgage, but It has a different loan structure to home loans designed for people buying an existing home. Today I will go over the advantages and processes of a construction loan.
1. Advantages of a construction loan
Unlike home loans, you receive instalments of the loan amount at various stages of construction rather than receiving it all at once at the start. You only need to pay interest on the loan amount received, not the entire loan amount. You start making repayments on both the principal (loan amount) and interest when construction complete, which can greatly reduce the pressure of repaying the loan during the construction phase.
2. Construction Loan progress payments
Once a construction loan is approved and the property is under construction, the lender will typically make progress payments during the various construction phases. As each phase is completed, your builder will invoice you. Progress payments are usually made directly to the builder upon completion of each stage.
The five stages are;
(1) S Base Stage: This is an amount to help you lay the foundation of your property. It can cover the levelling of the ground, as well as the plumbing and waterproofing of your foundation.
(2) Frame stage: This is an amount to help you build the frame of your property. It can cover partial brickwork, roofing, trusses and windows.
(3) Lockup: This is an amount to help you put up the external walls and put in windows and doors.
(4) Fitout or fixing: This is an amount to help you install your property's internal fittings and fixtures. It can cover plasterboards, kitchen cabinets and benches, plumbing, electricity and gutters.
(5) Completion: This is an amount for the conclusion of contracted items, as well as any finishing touches such as plumbing, electricity, and overall cleaning.
3. How to get approved for a construction loan
The approval process for a construction loan is different from a regular home loan. More documentation is required from the borrower, including planning permits and building permits, a fixed-price construction contract, and relevant insurance. Borrowers also are subject to normal lending criteria, so they will most likely need to provide details of your income and expenses.
A property appraiser will then calculate the loan amount by estimating the property's expected value upon completion of construction, considering the construction costs that will need to be paid to the builder.
After the loan is approved, the borrower will need to make a deposit, just like most other types of home loans. The deposit is at least 5%, preferably up to 20%, to avoid paying mortgage insurance.
Compared to a regular home loan, a construction loan can greatly reduce the pressure of repaying the loan while the home is being built and reduce the interest costs during construction. However, there may be extra costs in the construction that aren’t included in your quote, and your loan may not cover those costs. Integrity New Homes offers a fixed price contract for all home buyers. No hidden extras no additional costs will be incurred during the building process. If you need to get a construction loan, you can contact me for help.