When you start working on real estate construction projects, it’s really important to get the right type of financing for success. Construction loans play a pivotal role in providing short-term financing to investors. This helps to bring construction projects to life. Let’s look into the different types of construction loans, to make sure you have a solid understanding of each option.
Different Types of Construction Loans
Construction loans provide money to cover the costs of building. This includes building houses, commercial buildings, or multi-unit developments. These loans are flexible, which means you can get the money you need at different times while you’re building. So, what are the different types of construction loans? There are several common types used including Construction-to-Permanent Loans, Construction-Only Loans, Renovation Construction Loans, and Owner-Builder Construction Loans. The loan that’s right for you depends on a multiple variables that we’ll discuss below.
Construction-to-Permanent Loans
Construction-to-permanent loans are a favorite for investors who want a simple financing process. This loan combines funding for both the construction and the long-term mortgage into just one convenient package.
Simplified Financing Process
Construction-to-permanent loan options are great because they make financing easy. Instead of getting many loans and doing lots of paperwork, investors can get just one loan that covers both the building costs and the long-term mortgage. It’s a simple way to get the money you need.
Cost Savings
Construction-to-permanent loans can result in big cost savings for investors. By only having one loan package borrowers avoid paying separate closing costs for each loan.
Easier Qualification
Qualifying for a construction-to-permanent loan can be easier compared to securing separate loans. With one loan application, borrowers undergo the qualification process only once. This greatly simplifies the underwriting process.
Seamless Transition
Construction-to-permanent loans make things easy when moving from construction to a permanent mortgage. Once the building is finished, borrowers don’t have to apply for another loan or go through more paperwork.
Instead, the loan smoothly changes from a temporary construction loan to a long-term mortgage. This makes the transition simple and avoids any problems or delays in getting long-term financing.
Construction-Only Loans
Construction-only loans, which are also called short-term construction loans, give money specifically for the construction part of a project. These loans help investors get the money they need to pay for the costs of building, such as materials and labor.
Once the construction is complete, borrowers can get a separate permanent mortgage to repay the construction loan.
Disbursement Stages
When using a construction-only loan, the money is given out in parts during different stages of the construction. These stages are based on important milestones in the project and are checked by a licensed inspector.
Investors can ask for money to cover expenses at each stage of the construction process. This way, they have the flexibility to get the funds they need when they need them.
Mitigates Financial Risk
Construction projects can be risky because they might have unexpected delays or cost more than planned. Construction-only loans help reduce these risks by providing money specifically for construction expenses.
With these loans, investors can handle their finances better and use the money only for construction costs. This helps lower the risk of running out of money or having trouble paying for other things they need.
Separate Permanent Mortgage
After the construction is finished, borrowers need to get a different kind of loan called a permanent mortgage to pay back the construction-only loan.
The permanent mortgage takes the place of the short-term construction loan. Then it becomes the long-term way to pay for the property.
Renovation Construction Loans
Renovation construction loans are for investors who want to make big changes and improvements to properties they already have. Whether it’s flipping a house or renovating a building for business, these loans give you the money you need to fix things up and make the property better. This can help increase the value of the property.
Increased Property Value
When you do a renovation construction project, one of the main things you want to do is make the property worth more. Renovation construction loans help investors make important improvements that can make the property more attractive to people who might want to buy it or rent it. This can make the property worth more money.
By investing in renovations, investors can take advantage of the fact that the property will be worth more in the future.
Flexible Loan Options
Renovation construction loans have different ways to pay for them that can work for different types of projects and budgets. Whether it’s a small change to how things look or a big change to the structure, these loans can be adjusted to fit lots of different renovation projects.
Investors can decide how much money they need and how long they want to take to pay it back. This lets them choose a loan that matches their specific renovation plans and how much money they can afford.
Expertise and Guidance
When you get a renovation construction loan, you might also get help from experts who know a lot about renovation projects. These experts can give you good advice and support during the whole process.
They can help you figure out if your project is possible, give you an idea of how much it might cost, and suggest ways to make it even better. This can help you make smart choices and get the most out of your renovation investment.
Owner-Builder Construction Loans
Owner-builder construction loans are for people who want to be in charge of their own construction projects. These loans give them the money they need to build. And they can be their own boss and control every part of the process. This gives them the freedom to manage and take charge of everything during the construction project.
Financing for Self-Builders
These loans provide the funds to pay for things like materials, workers, permits, and other costs. This way, people who want to build can do it their own way without needing to hire someone else to do it for them.
Flexibility and Control
When you’re an owner-builder, you can make all the decisions and have control over every part of the process. This means you can choose the people who help you, like subcontractors and suppliers, and pick the materials and design elements you like. You have the power to shape the project just the way you want, based on what you like and what you can afford.
Cost Savings
When you act as your own general contractor, you might be able to save money on construction. Owner-builder construction loans let you talk directly to subcontractors and suppliers, so you don’t have to pay extra to hire a general contractor.
By being directly involved, you can find good prices, get the materials you need, and manage your budget better. This could help you save money and spend it wisely.
Find the Right Construction Loan Today
Construction loans give real estate investors different choices to help with their construction projects. It’s really important to know the different types of construction loans so you can pick the one that’s best for you.
By exploring these loan types and consulting with lenders experienced in construction financing, you can confidently navigate the world of construction loans and embark on your construction projects with success.
Since 1961, Merchants Mortgage and Trust has been the private lender of choice for real estate developers across the United States. If you would like a no-obligation quote, contact us to learn more about our competitive ground up construction financing options today!