There are key differences between a temp construction loan and construction-to-permanent loan:
Temporary Construction Loans
- 12-month loan term (temporary) with no commitment for permanent financing
- Interest-only payments until loan maturity
- Will require a refinance to the permanent loan, with new underwriting to be completed, possible new appraisal, updated title work and will be based on mortgage rates at that time (for better or worse).
Construction-Permanent Loans
- 12 months of interest only payments, automatically converting to principal and interest payments on month 13
- No need for a 2nd closing (unless borrower chooses to refinance for better rate, etc) – saves the borrower money by not having a 2nd set of settlement costs
- Acts as a hedge against continual rising interest rates (rate is essentially set for 8 years before adjusting – the initial 12 months and then the next 7 years during the permanent loan)