Ready to Build Your Dream Home?

Meeting with a mortgage loan officer and getting started with a pre-approval is one of the most important first steps you can take. A Johnson Financial Group pre-approval is a fully underwritten loan approval that includes verification of your income, credit and down payment funds. A pre-approval will determine what type of home you can realistically afford based on your current assets and existing debt. A pre-approval also provides the opportunity to ask questions about the construction process: what’s involved, what you are responsible for and what to expect of the builder.

You’ll want a knowledgeable partner on your side to help you navigate the construction financing process every step of the way. Look for a loan officer who will educate you on the financing process and provide loan options to best fit your needs, so you can focus on the other details of your home. Click here to find a Johnson Financial Group construction financing partner.

Use the checklist below to gather your documents for the pre-approval. Having this information readily available can make the process quick and easy.

• Your Social Security number to obtain your credit report 
• Pay stubs, W-2s and possibly full tax returns for income documentation 
• Bank and asset statements for verification of liquid and retirement savings 
• Any other necessary information based on your individual situation like business tax returns, current real estate holdings, etc. 
• A lot loan closing statement, if you already own your lot

Additional documents and information (when available)

• Accepted offer to purchase – if purchasing the lot at the time of closing on your construction loan 
• Construction plans 
• Builder cost breakdown and specs
• Complete signed builder contract 
• Insurance coverage, including builder’s risk insurance – prior to closing

Learn about the builders and contractors in your area by reviewing local builders associations, attending home builder shows, talking to vendors, reading online reviews and participating in seminars.

• Ask for references from family and friends. 
• Ask for references of sub-contractors or suppliers the contractor works with and review their payment record. Request a copy of the contractor’s insurance policy to understand the unique coverage.
• Review the construction bids, including the scope of the project, references, time frames and price.

Create a detailed budget to ensure you don’t overspend. Leave yourself some “financial breathing room” as new construction projects can often cost more than expected. Savings reserves are helpful should you encounter cost overages during the build process.

Make sure the lot you plan to purchase can accommodate your new home. The dimensions, pitch and location can all factor into the size and type of home you want to build. Regardless of your desired location, you’ll almost always need to choose the land before you begin the design phase. In some cases, the complexity of the building site (steep terrain, remote locations, undeveloped land, etc.) may directly impact the cost of the project.

A lot loan allows you to purchase land before you start construction. Once you’re ready to build, your lot loan can often be rolled into the financing of the construction loan. You may need to plan for 60 to 70 days for closing. This gives you time to review the contract and develop plans, and it will ensure you have enough time to complete an appraisal.

The construction period may take 11 months. Once approved, your home must be completed within a designated timeframe and will be financed on a schedule based up completion of each stage of building.

During construction, you’ll make interest-only payments based on how much of the construction loan funds have been drawn to date.

There are a variety of financing options including a One-Time Close Construction Loan, Portfolio Jumbo Construction Loan, Lot Loan financing and Turn-Key Mortgage financing. Your loan officer can make recommendations and provide the best option based on your individual situation and goals.

What is a One-Time Close Construction Loan?

This is a combined construction and permanent loan financing option to save you time and money. You’ll enjoy the convenience of one loan, one application and one closing date. 

•  Interest-only payments during construction based on the funds drawn 
• Low down payment options
• Maximum loan amount up to conforming loan guidelines of $766,550 
• Option to lock your rate up to 180 days prior to the final draw being made

What is a Portfolio Jumbo Construction Loan?

Our portfolio construction loans provide financing options for homeowners that have high value construction projects that exceed conforming loan amounts. 

• Interest-only payments during construction based on the funds drawn
• Loan-to-values (LTVs) vary, with loan amounts available up to $3,000,000 
• Long-term fixed rates, generally up to 30 years 
• Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) with various term options
• Once the final draw is made, you may have the option to relock your rate, for a fee, should the current rate be lower

A lot loan allows you to purchase land before you start construction. Once you’re ready to build, your lot loan can be financed as part of the construction loan. 

• Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is not required 
• Finance up to 20 acres 
• 1-2-3 year balloon payment options with longer amortizations

In turn-key financing, the builder is responsible for the cost of construction. The homeowner finances the purchase of the new home when construction is complete and they are handed the key. 

• Homeowner finances the completed project with a traditional mortgage loan 
• Faster project, typically 4 - 6 months 
• Less stress and money obligations while your home is being built
• Homes typically are built in subdivisions 
• Flexibility to lock your rate up to 180 days prior to closing for free, should the current rate be lower 
• Builder is responsible for the construction financing

An itemized list of costs associated with the construction of your new home is necessary to manage the budget and draw process. Not all costs are fixed, and it is common for a contract to include allowances.

For example, a custom dollar amount for carpeting may be determined, giving you more control over cost. If you chose a type of carpet that exceeds the itemized costs, it is considered a change order, or a cost overrun. Homeowners are responsible for a cost overrun.

Start with a realistic budget for each item and do your best to stay on track. Consider a savings reserve in case costs go beyond what you expected.

A draw is a portion of the total cost of the construction paid to the builder at certain points during the process. Typically, a construction loan has four to five draws during the building process and can vary based on the project.

A title company is used as the disbursing agent to administer the draw account. They are in an objective position to make sure draws are only done when certain project milestones are met.

Typically, the title company’s disbursing agent performs inspections of the project before each draw is distributed to the builder to ensure that part of the building project has been completed.

During this process, you’ll work with our dedicated Construction Operations team. The team is your point of contact during the draw process to answer any questions you may have. Your builder will ask you to sign a document authorizing each draw request. As the homeowner, you should carefully review each draw request before the funds are released by the disbursing agent.

The final draw will be completed upon the receipt of the Certificate of Occupancy or Final Building Inspection .