You can opt to buy land a starting building from scratch, in which case you will need to get a land loan. This raises even more problems than applying for a mortgage since you will not have a home that acts as collateral for your loan. Below are some things you should know when considering land financing.
Land Zoning, Boundaries, and Access
It is crucial to know what the land purchase will entail. This is why it is essential to get surveyors to mark the boundaries and put everything on paper, ready for presentation to your lender. It is also important to double-check the land restrictions and zoning details.
For residential purposes, access to basic utilities is a significant factor. Having electricity, sewer, water, and cable hook-up in place save money and time. Public road access is also key since the buyer should have permanent access to the public road. You also need to get in touch with the local planning department to tell you what a given piece of land is meant for.
Intended Use of the Land
Loan terms such as the interest rate down payment depend on your planned use of the land because this is linked directly to your lender’s risk exposure. In this context, getting land loans can be trickier than purchasing a house as it gives the lender immediate collateral as opposed to new construction that has moving parts that may go awry.
Next, your lender would consider buying a build-ready piece and constructing your home. Some things may go wrong, increase costs or cause delays, but the lenders can still manage this.
There is also raw land without specific building plans. For instance, land purchased anticipating the completion of a freeway. The hope is that the land will attract developers when the highway is finished. The land can then be sold off to developers at a good profit. Such loans require a 50 percent down payment.
Land Financing Options
You will need to look for avenues to finance the land purchase in acceptable terms. The most common funding sources for your land finances are home equity loans, seller financing, credit unions, and local banks. You can consider one of these options to get funding to buy a piece of land you have always desired.
Financing land to build your home is more challenging than applying for a mortgage. Lenders need surveyed boundaries, and you have to check land-use restrictions and zoning. The more improves the land is, the lower the down payment required by the lender.