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Construction loans to permanent loans


You have what's known as a construction-to-permanent loan. The advantage of this type of loan is that there's only one loan application and one loan closing. The idea is that the lender finances the construction of your home, and when it's ready for occupancy, the loan is converted from a construction loan to a mortgage.

You pay a price for that convenience. You are a captive customer and don't have a lot of negotiating leeway when presented with the interest rate on the permanent financing. Decisions about the loan term and fixed vs. adjustable mortgages are made when you close on the loan prior to construction. You're also assuming a financial risk that the house is well-built.

A one-closing loan will typically be priced with interest rate locks that limit the interest rate on the permanent loan. Alternately, the loan can have a float-down option that will let the borrower take advantage of declining interest rates. A float-down option can have an interest rate floor that limits how low the interest rate can go.

If you can get a better rate by finding a new lender, then refinancing can make sense. Whether you convert to permanent financing before refinancing depends on how long a window you have before the construction loan has to be converted.

Review your loan and any rate lock agreements to make sure there aren't any prepayment charges, minimum loan term commitments or other charges or penalties. If there are, then the decision to refinance becomes more complicated, and you should hire a real estate professional to help you evaluate the decision.

If you only plan on being in the house for a few years, you shouldn't be willing to refinance with a loan that has a long payback period.