How Does a Construction Loan Work?

How Does a Construction Loan Work?
A construction loan is short-term financing that covers the cost of building a residential stick home from the ground up to finish. Shutterstock
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If you can’t find the perfect home, building one is an option. But a lot goes into building a house. One of the most critical aspects of building is the financing. When building, you don’t just apply for a mortgage; it takes a construction loan.

But what is a construction loan, and what are the qualifications? Knowing the ins and outs of construction loans will help your build go much smoother. After all, there are already enough headaches when building.

Construction Loans and What They Cover

A construction loan is short-term financing that covers the cost of building a residential stick home from the ground up to finish. It covers a wide range of costs, all associated with building. They include:
  • land
  • labor costs
  • material costs
  • permits
They’re different from traditional mortgages and come with specific qualifying requirements.

Qualifying for a Construction Loan

When you apply for a traditional mortgage, you secure the loan with a completed house. If you default on the loan, the financial institution takes the house.
Anne Johnson
Anne Johnson
Author
Anne Johnson was a commercial property & casualty insurance agent for nine years. She was also licensed in health and life insurance. Anne went on to own an advertising agency where she worked with businesses. She has been writing about personal finance for 10 years.