Help wanted! Creative ways to Advance Closing Date on New Build

Help wanted! Creative ways to Advance Closing Date on New Build

Member since 2021 · 2 posts · 0 votes

Hello BP! This is my first post here, so please forgive any faux pas.

I am investing in a new build with second home financing. It is a 3 bed 3.5 bath townhome in an area zoned for vacation rentals - the entire community is being built currently. I went under contract back in June of 2021, with an estimated completion date of January 2022. This estimated completion date has been continually pushed back, and now they say maybe April. As we're all aware, supply chain issues are real and construction is indeed backed up quite a bit in many areas. However (as we are also all aware), substantial rate hikes are imminent, and my lender has informed me that the current administration will be imposing hefty upfront fees on second home loans starting April 1st. The difference in cost for me between closing in March vs. April 1 is substantial and frustrating.

I'm seeking some creative ways for how to close before the end of March. This may involve ways to make it mutually beneficial for the builder to prioritize my building over others in the community, otherwise applying pressure on the builder, clever ways to close even before completion (which maybe is the dumbest idea ever? if so please tell me), etc.

Further, who should I be leveraging during this process? My realtor has a good relationship with the builder. I assume it's in the lender's best interest that I close after this policy comes into play, or is that not the case? Do they receive kickbacks or something from the increased fees?

I look forward to all of the wisdom this community has to offer. Time is of the essence here, thank you all so much in advance for the help!



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  • Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2019 · 434 posts · 248 votes
    4y

    @Jaxon - that is a difficult position to be in, and you are not alone!  But, you are at the mercy of the builder.  A few notes.  The increase to second/vacation home rates is being implemented by the FHFA, Federal Housing Finance Agency.  The lender does not make more money, the builder certainly does not, it goes right to the FHFA.   Also, it is for loans delivered to Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac by 4/1, and after a loan closes it takes a couple weeks to deliver it to Fannie/Freddie.  So that means some lenders already have these hits in place.  We have 1 lender that stated if you close on 3/14 or before, the new second rate increases will be waived.  But on 3/15 and after, there rate hike will be in full effect.

    In my experience, there is nothing you can do to incentive the builder.  They want to sell the home to you ASAP so they can get paid and stop paying interest on their Corporate loans and/or go build more homes.  The builder is losing money too.

    Unfortunately, all you can do is check in with your realtor and the builder and ask for updates.  If they give you an option of taking a less than upgraded kitchen because the other cabinets are on back order, that might be all you can do to close early...

  • Member since 2021 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    4y

    Hey Zach, that's some great additional information, thanks! I've spoken with my realtor and it sounds like the builder is well aware of this deadline and is doing all they can to prioritize homes that could possibly be finished by then. It does seem like it's mostly a cross-your-fingers type of situation for now unfortunately. Thanks for the quick reply!

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