Land Loans for Upcoming Construction
If you are planning to build your property but you are not ready yet, you can still purchase the lot. Maybe you need finance for that too. When it comes to financing the purchase of land for upcoming constructions, constructions loans are the solution to your problems. These loans are called Land Loans or Lot loans and are actually constructions loan specially designed for that purpose.
These loans, since there is not that much money involved, have very few requirements for approval. Yet, it is important to understand what you need to meet in order to obtain them as it will also determine whether a particular lot is suitable for getting hold of a construction loan later on. That means that if a particular lender offers you a land loan for upcoming construction, provided that you meet the further requirements, you will also be able to obtain the corresponding construction loan.
Lot Characteristics Needed For Loan Approval
There are some characteristics that the lot needs to meet for most lenders to approve your loan. This is due to the fact that as long as you are financing the purchase of the lot, it is not only your investment but also the lender’s (usually the lot guarantees the loan). Thus, the lender will want to make sure that the land purchased will not lose its value or be useless for the construction of the property.
The land you plan to purchase must be standard for the zone, which implies no excessively long extensions or very small lots. It needs not have characteristics that turn construction more onerous like inadequate soil components, etc. Also, most lenders will require at least one or two utilities available from the surroundings (i.e. water pipes, gas, electricity, communications, etc.).
Land Loans And Stated Income
Similarly to regular construction loans and other loan types, you can obtain a land loan without having to show proof of your income. This implies that the loan approval and terms will be determined taking into account the income amount that you state to have on your application instead of the one you can prove by providing the proper documentation.
This does not mean that you will not be required to provide any documentation as some lenders claim. Truth is that you will have to show proof that you have a source of income with letters from your CPA or employer. But the amount of income will be disregarded and only the amount you state on your application will be taken into account at the time of loan approval. Bear in mind though, that this increases the risk and thus, you will end up with less advantageous loan terms.
Repayment Programs And Limitations
Most of the loan repayment programs for construction loans can last up to 30 years depending on the applicants credit score and history. Also, since most people use these loans and later combine them with construction loans, after 2 to 5 years these loans can be repaid fully without penalties so as to take a construction loan instead or sell the land to be used for construction.
Loans with full income documentation can finance up to 95% of the purchase price or even more. If you cannot fully prove income you will only be able to get 80% financing or less. There are some exceptions for these limitations for excellent credit applicants.
Devora Witts
What do Pennsylvanians think of this?
The following question appears on the upcoming PA general election ballot in glorious governmental prose.
"Do you favor the incurring of indebtedness by the Commonwealth of $400,000,000 for grants and loans to municipalities and public utilities for the cost of all labor, materials, necessary operational machinery and equipment, lands, property, right and easements, plans and specifications, surveys, estimates of costs and revenues, prefeasibility studies, engineering and legal services and all other expenses necessary or incident to the acquisition, construction, improvement, expansion, extension, repair or rehabilitation of all or part of drinking water system, storm water, nonpoint source projects, nutrient credits and wastewater treatment system projects?"
Can anyone explain why the PA gov’t has to borrow money to pay for this instead of cutting spending in other, less important areas? Why do they need to borrow money when taxes are so high?
The problem is not that they need to cut in other areas, the question is why they were not putting money aside for this all along. A dime on each utility bill for the last thirty years and all this would be paid. They only have two options, borrow the money or raise utility rates, which they have to do to pay for it. Ask any politician, there are NO less important areas. But borrowing money sounds better than raising taxes, even though it is still taking our money.
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