Building a house is a landmark event in any person’s life. The decision to build a house comes after a long analysis of the sources of funds to facilitate the process. Luckily, there are a lot of lending companies that offer loans targeted at new home construction. New home construction loans and stated income construction loans are the two types of loans that are offered to people in the process of constructing a new home. Both types of loans offer funding for new home construction, but the difference lies in the way in which they can be obtained.
The first and very crucial step in obtaining a home construction loan is choosing a lender. New home construction loans are offered by all major national lenders and can also be obtained from regional banks or mortgage companies. The important point to note is that the lender must be kept informed of anything and everything that has been planned about the home construction. Typically, the interest for a new construction loan is paid over a period of 12 months, and then replaced by a mortgage, once the home’s construction has been completed.
New construction loans themselves are of two types. The first type is known as the all-in-one loan, in which the loan is automatically converted to a regular mortgage on completion of the construction of the home. The second type is the construction-only loan, which as the name suggests covers only the construction costs of the home. This type of loan is due as soon as the construction is done and must either be paid off or replaced by a mortgage. Lenders have very specific ways of paying for the construction of the home. The payment of funds is divided in to several “draws”. The home-owner must draw up a plan at each stage of the building process clearly stating how much funding was used at that particular stage of construction. For example, a draw can be done after the pouring of the foundation of the home, or maybe during the framing of the home. This drawn up plan is then sent to the lender, who examines it and allocates the funds to be paid.
The other type of home construction loan, called the stated income construction loan is a loan that does not require the verification of the home owner’s income. This type of loan is a boon and is best suited for self employed individuals. Anyone who cannot produce verification documents for their income, or chooses not to reveal their earnings can benefit from this kind of loan. The benefit of a stated income construction loan is that it is generally approved much faster than other kinds of loans. The downside to this type of loan is that the interest rates associated with it are much higher than other loans. Correspondingly, the down payments are also significantly higher. The procedure to apply for a stated income loan is quite simple and all it requires is an online application or a direct application at the office of the chosen lender.
By: Maria Mbura
Archive for January, 2010
An Introduction to New Home Construction Loans
January 28th, 2010Home Equity Loans – Tax Limitations on Interest
January 27th, 2010
One of the biggest advantages that home equity loans offer is the deductibility of the interest rate. However, many debtors don’t fully recognize the limitations that are set on these deductions and how proper allocation of such loans can qualify them for the deductions. There are two types of mortgage loan interests. The first one is the interest from home acquisition debt which is used to buy, build, or substantially improve a house. The second one is the home equity debt which is not used to buy or build a home. The intent and actual use of the loan dictates how the loan is treated for income tax purpose.
Debtors can deduct interest from home acquisition debt that is up to $1,000,000. However, they can only deduct interest from home equity debt that is up to $100,000. Borrowing $120,000 for debt consolidation will not allow the debtor to deduct the interest from the extra $20,000, unless the $20,000 is used to substantially improve a house.
Another limitation on the deduction of the interest rate can be seen when the value of the house drops. The interest rate can only be deducted from home equity debt that is not exceeding the owner’s equity in the house. Therefore, if a debtor owns a house worth $300,000 and $250,000 is secured with a home acquisition debt and a debtor borrows additional $50,000 through home equity debt, the interest from the $250,000 and $50,000 would be deductible. But if the value of the house drops to $270,000 the interest on the $250,000 home acquisition debt would still be deductible, however only the interest from $20,000 (270,000-250,000) of the home equity debt would be deductible.
Debtors also have to consider whether they fall under the alternative minimum tax or the itemized tax regime. Only the itemized tax regime will allow debtor to deduct the home equity loan interest. Keeping this in mind, the tax factor may not apply to a debtor at all, and in this case it might make more sense to use other types of loans, instead of putting your house as collateral.
By: David M Siegel
