The FHA One-Time Close Loan helps contractors with a smooth, start-to-finish process that allows consumers to purchase and build a home with a single mortgage. Builders can make contributions of up to 6% toward closing costs and prepaid items.

FHA.com: Home Purchase and Refinance Loans

FHA Loan Programs for 2024

The most recognized 3.5% down payment mortgage in the country. Affordable payments w/good credit.

Are You Watching Your Credit Score?




- Improving Your Credit Score Has Never Been More Important -

FHA.com is a privately owned website, is not a government agency, and does not make loans.
FHA Home Loans

Choose a Loan Type

FHA.com is a privately owned website, is not a government agency, and does not make loans.

Builder Benefits for FHA One-Time Close Loans

FHA Construction Loans for Building Homes

FHA One-Time-Close Loans - Builder Benefits

The FHA Construction-to-Permanent program is an avenue that many builders should explore when looking for additional business. By partnering with pre-approved homebuyers, contractors can take advantage of a smooth, start-to-finish process that allows consumers to purchase and build a home according to their liking, all in a single mortgage.

Builder Benefits

When building a home, most conventional mortgages require the borrower to qualify twice—once for the construction loan and again for the purchase. The FHA One-Time Close Loan, on the other hand, skips the tedious requalification process, which involves a second credit check and presentation of documents. Not only is this a cost and time saving step, but it also protects builders involved in the loan against unforeseen circumstances, such as buyers losing their jobs or taking a hit to their credit scores.

Sellers and builders can make contributions of up to 6 percent toward the homebuyer’s closing costs and prepaid items. Any contribution funds beyond that are reduced, dollar-for-dollar, from the loan amount. The high, 6-percent threshold allows buyers to receive the same financing without having to forfeit contributions.

Borrowers can take advantage of FHA’s lenient underwriting criteria, such as lower debt-to-income ratios compared to other conventional loan types. These perks make the FHA One-Time Close Loan appealing to many potential homebuyers, making it an opportunity for builders to gain contracts.

When financing with a Construction-to-Permanent loan, funds are drawn in phases, up to 5 times. A draw schedule is created by the lender, which the buyer and builder agree to. This ensures that all contractors are paid on time, as the project progresses.

Among the many advantages that come with an FHA loan, builders and buyers understand that the low down payment requirement is 3.5 percent. Additionally, the entire amount can be covered in gift funds which attracts more consumers.

There is a growing number of individuals that have an immediate need for small- to mid-size homes built from scratch. FHA.com works with licensed FHA lenders who specialize in the One-Time Close Loan process to pre-approve potential homebuyers looking for builders to do the job. Builders have an opportunity to be first in line to be paired up with these individuals and take on projects that would otherwise fly under the radar.

For Builders interested in receiving the FHA One-Time Close Builder registration approval form, please send your request to [email protected].

One-Time Close Construction Loans

SEE YOUR CREDIT SCORES   From All 3 Bureaus  

Do you know what's on your credit report?

Learn what your score means.


FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News

What to Remember About Home Loan Approval

May 5, 2024 - If you want to buy a home or build one on your own lot with an FHA mortgage, there are distinct phases in your journey toward home ownership. One phase is the initial planning and saving you need in order to prepare for closing costs, the down payment, and other expenses.

Rehab and Construction Loan Advice on Setting Budgets

May 3, 2024 - Are you considering refinancing your home with an FHA 203(k)? No matter what kind of construction or renovation project you have in mind, there are some guidelines each of these have in common that you should know about before getting started.

FHA Home Loan Early Payoff Options

May 1, 2024 - Do you want to pay off a 15-year or 30-year FHA mortgage ahead of schedule? One of the perks of an FHA mortgage for a single-family home is that FHA loan guidelines do not permit the lender to charge you a penalty just for paying the mortgage off ahead of schedule.

Buyer Risks When Waiting for Mortgage Rates to Drop

April 29, 2024 - U.S. News and World Report published an article in April 2024 that included data from a U.S. News survey of American mortgage trends this year. In that survey, nearly 70% of house hunters who responded say they are waiting for home loan interest rates to fall before buying a house this year.

Better to Buy a Home with Cash or an FHA Mortgage?

April 28, 2024 - Buying in cash does not necessarily mean you will get a big discount on the house. It’s all the same to the seller, who gets their money, either way. In more competitive housing markets, the cash offer is more appealing to some because it may work faster than dealing with a lender.