Financing Your Project
Our experience helps you obtain the financing you need.Need Help Financing Your Log Home?
Having built several Log and Timber Frame homes over the years coupled with my Real Estate training and background, I am qualified to help you find the right lender to fit your needs.
Financing a log and timber frame is not much different than a conventional home. However, there are some caveats
Fortunately, I am working with several different lenders who understand how a log home is built and how the construction process works, and they are willing and wanting to work with us.
So, do not be intimidated by financing. I love helping people make their dream come true, and I am willing to help you in every step of the way, from the initial discussion and exploration stage through the final move in. If you have any questions or concerns contact us.
Advice from Honest Abe on Preparing for a Loan
Unless you won the Powerball or inherited a fortune from a long-lost relative, you’re probably going to need a loan to build you log or timber home. Hopefully, you’ve already taken steps to strengthen your position when you meet with lenders and begin the loan application process. Banking professionals agree that four basic commitments on the part of the applicant can make a difference in obtaining the loan you need.
Here are their recommendations.
No. 1: Get educated
While it might seem premature to visit a lender two years before you are ready to finance your home, it can be valuable to know if you will qualify for a mortgage. You should also check your credit reports (it’s free once each year) and address any errors. Learning how lenders will view you as a credit risk can help you best prepare for your final loan application.
No. 2: Build strong credit
To improve your credit scores, pay off past-due bills pay every bill on time and reduce balances to less than 30 percent of the credit limit on every account. Having three to five credit accounts, such as a car loan, student loan or credit card, for one year or longer helps build credit, but switching credit cards to get the best rate does not. Paying bills late or missing a payment stays on your credit report for a long time and can be detrimental.
No. 3: Reduce debt
While buyers increase their savings, they should also reduce their debt. Paying off debt tops saving in terms of priorities because of the interest payments on the debt, which exceeds the amount of interest they can earn on their savings. Lenders want to see that you are managing your debt and keeping your credit card balances low. Debt-to-income ratios are an important element in a loan approval. This ratio compares minimum monthly payments on all debt to gross monthly income, and 40 percent or less is considered optimal.
No. 4: Demonstrate ability to save
Create a budget and set a savings goal. Contribute consistently to a savings each month. Lenders want to see a pattern of savings. Plus, buyers will need a percentage of the total loan as a downpayment, so this is a chance to reserve that.
Give us a call to discuss, confidentially, of course, any concerns. Honest Abe has guided many prospective clients who are now homeowners through this step. At Serenity Log Homes we’d like to help you alleviate obstacles that can prevent you having the home you’ve always wanted.
Construction Budgeting Made Simple
We’ve worked with many clients through the process of budgeting. It’s important to create a budget that allows for home construction and considers future maintenance, and that means asking yourself some realistic questions and answering them honestly.
- How much money are you willing to put into your new home?
- How much cash do you have available for a downpayment?
- How much can you afford in monthly payments to cover the amount you need to borrow?
- How much will the property taxes be on your finished home and land? How much homeowner’s insurance will you need to cover your investment?
- How much can you set aside for routine home maintenance and upkeep or non-covered emergencies?
If you require a loan to complete your home project, you’ll want to calculate your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. This takes your monthly financial obligations like house payment, car loan, charge cards, etc. (not utilities, food, entertainment)
and divides the total by your monthly income. The final number should not exceed 33-36 percent of the cost of the home you are planning to build. Your monthly house payment should not exceed 25 percent of your stable monthly income.
We’re experienced at helping you balance what you want and what you can afford. Give us a call and let us help make the budgeting process a little less scary.
Builder’s Risk Insurance – Just in Case!
As customers begin construction of their new homes, we recommend purchasing builder’s risk insurance, which covers the home owner against damage to the building while it is under construction. Usually the general contractor doesn’t pay for this type insurance because the builder is only responsible for any losses due to negligence.
The most common damages covered by builder’s risk include those due to fire, high winds and vandalism. As with most property insurance, it does not cover earthquakes, flood, acts of war or intentional acts of the owner. In most cases the coverage lasts only during the construction period after which time the homeowner secures a conventional property insurance policy.
Check with your insurance carrier about builder’s risk insurance before you begin construction. Since log and timber homes are not the norm, some agencies may be hesitant to cover them. Don’t worry! We have companies you can talk to that have worked well with our customers in the past. If you would like to discuss how other Honest Abe homeowners have secured adequate, affordable coverage, give us a call. We’ll be glad to help.