One-Time Close Construction · Texas

Build it once.
Close it once.

Building a home shouldn't mean two loans, two closings, and two sets of fees. A one-time close construction loan wraps your lot, the build, and the permanent mortgage into a single loan — with your rate locked in before the first nail. No requalifying when the house is done, no second closing, no surprise if rates climb during the build. Beto lines up the right program and an approved builder.

One closing, one fee set
Rate locked up front
0% down (VA / USDA)
Lot equity counts
1
Closing, Not Two
Locked
Rate Before You Build
0%
Down (VA / USDA OTC)
No
Requalifying After
The hidden cost of building the old way

Building doesn't have to mean closing twice.

The traditional path splits a build into two loans — and that split is where the extra costs and the rate risk hide. A one-time close folds it all into one.

The Old Way (Two-Time Close)

"Get a construction loan, build, then refinance into a mortgage — closing and paying fees twice."

You close once to build, then requalify and close again for the permanent loan — exposed to higher rates and tighter guidelines by the time the home is finished. Two appraisals, two sets of costs, two chances for something to go wrong.

The Better Way (One-Time Close)

One loan, one closing, and your permanent rate locked from day one.

You qualify and close once. The loan funds the build, then automatically converts to your permanent mortgage when the home is complete — same loan, same locked rate, no requalifying, no second closing. One set of fees, total peace of mind.

Why the structure matters

One-time close vs. two-time close.

Same finished house — very different journey. Here's exactly what you save by closing once.

Recommended

One-Time Close

One closing and one set of fees — save thousands
Permanent rate locked before construction starts
No requalifying when the home is finished
Converts to your mortgage automatically
Protected if rates rise during the build
The traditional path

Two-Time Close

Two closings, two sets of fees
Permanent rate set later, after the build
Must requalify for the permanent loan
Second appraisal and approval needed
Exposed if rates climb mid-project
How it works

From lot to keys, on one loan.

Four phases, one continuous loan — the rate you lock at the start is the rate you keep.

1

Qualify & lock

You're approved once for the whole project — lot, build, and permanent loan — and your rate is locked.

2

Close once

A single closing covers everything, including buying the lot or using your land equity toward the down payment.

3

Build with draws

Funds release to your builder in draws as stages pass inspection. Payments are typically interest-only on what's drawn.

4

Move in

At completion the loan converts to your permanent mortgage automatically — no new loan, no second closing.

Pick the program that fits

One-time close, four ways.

The single-close structure is available across the major loan types — so you keep the low-down or zero-down benefits you'd get on a regular purchase.

VA OTC

0%
Down · ~620 credit

Eligible veterans & service members can build with nothing down and no monthly PMI. A funding fee may apply.

VA loan details →

USDA OTC

0%
Down · eligible areas

Building in an eligible rural/suburban area within income limits? Zero down, just like a USDA purchase.

USDA loan details →

FHA OTC

3.5%
Down · ~580+ credit

Flexible credit and a low down payment — and lot equity can count toward the 3.5%. MIP applies.

FHA loan details →

Conventional OTC

5%+
Down · ~700 credit

As little as 5% down for strong credit, with PMI that drops off later and higher loan limits for bigger builds.

Conventional details →

Already own your lot? Its equity can serve as some or all of your down payment — many landowners build with little or no extra cash at closing. Beto figures out which program stretches your dollars furthest.

What it takes

What you'll need to get started.

A one-time close has a few extra moving parts versus a regular purchase — mostly about the builder and the plan. Get these lined up and the process is smooth.

Approved builder
A licensed, insured contractor the lender approves. Owner-builder isn't allowed unless you're a licensed GC.
Plans & fixed bid
Construction drawings and a fixed-price contract with a clear budget and scope of work.
A timeline
A realistic build schedule (often up to ~12 months) the lender and builder agree on.
A lot
Land you own (equity counts) or are buying — financed right into the same loan.

One-time close loans are for a primary residence, and credit needs vary by program (roughly 580+ FHA, 620+ VA, 700+ conventional). The builder's contribution toward closing costs is often allowed too — Beto walks you and your builder through all of it.

Why one closing wins

Three reasons builders choose this.

It comes down to money saved, risk removed, and a whole lot less stress between groundbreaking and move-in.

1

One set of closing costs

Closing once instead of twice can save thousands in lender, title, and appraisal fees you'd otherwise pay all over again on a second loan.

Pay fees once
2

Your rate is locked

You lock the permanent rate before construction begins. If rates rise during the months of building, you're protected — your number is already set.

No mid-build rate shock
3

No requalifying later

Approved once, done. There's no second underwriting when the home is finished — a job change or a credit dip mid-build won't blow up your financing.

Certainty start to finish
Who builds with this

For people building from the ground up.

With limited resale inventory and plenty of land around San Antonio and the Hill Country, building is increasingly the smart move. This loan is made for it.

Custom-home builders

Designing exactly the home you want with a builder you trust — financed cleanly from lot to last fixture in one loan.

Land owners

Already hold a lot in the Hill Country or out east? Put its equity toward the build and you may need little or no cash at closing.

Veterans building new

VA one-time close lets eligible veterans build a brand-new home with $0 down and no PMI. VA details →

Families priced out of resale

Tired of bidding wars on existing homes? Building can mean a newer home, your way — without the second-closing hassle.

Alberto Moravia, Beto the Broker
NMLS #1956260 · Verified

Alberto Moravia — Beto the Broker — is a licensed mortgage broker, TREC Certified Instructor, and proud San Antonio resident who'll coordinate the moving parts of a build — lender, builder, draws, and timeline — so you can focus on the house, not the paperwork.

As an independent broker at Edge Home Finance LLC, Alberto shops 100+ wholesale lenders for the right one-time close program — VA, USDA, FHA, or conventional — and lines it up with an approved builder. Straight answers from groundbreaking to move-in, in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.

✓ NMLS #1956260 ✓ TREC Certified Instructor ✓ 100+ Lenders ✓ One-Time Close · VA · FHA · USDA ✓ EN · ES · PT
Real questions, straight answers

What builders ask about one-time close.

What's the difference between one-time and two-time close? +
A two-time close uses two separate loans: a short-term construction loan, then a second closing to refinance into a permanent mortgage once the home is built — two sets of fees, a second approval, and exposure to higher rates by completion. A one-time close does it all in a single loan and a single closing, with your permanent rate locked up front and an automatic conversion to your mortgage when construction ends. One set of costs, no requalifying.
Can I use land I already own? +
Yes — and it's one of the best parts. If you already own your lot, its equity can count toward your down payment, sometimes covering it entirely. The land has to meet the lender's and the area's guidelines, but many landowners build with little to no extra cash at closing.
How much do I need to put down? +
It depends on the program: VA and USDA one-time close can be 0% down for eligible borrowers, FHA is 3.5%, and conventional starts around 5%. Lot equity can reduce or replace the cash you bring. Beto matches you to the lowest-cost program you qualify for.
Do I make payments while the home is being built? +
Typically you make interest-only payments on the funds drawn so far during construction (and some programs let that interest be built into the loan), so your out-of-pocket stays low while you build. Full principal-and-interest payments begin once the loan converts to your permanent mortgage at completion.
Can I be my own builder? +
Generally no. One-time close programs require a licensed, insured, lender-approved builder — owner-builder projects aren't allowed unless you personally hold a general contractor's license. The good news: Beto can help you confirm a builder meets the lender's approval requirements before you commit.
What if rates drop while I'm building? +
Your rate is locked up front, which protects you if rates rise during the build. If rates fall significantly, some programs offer a one-time float-down or you can look at refinancing after completion. Beto will explain the lock terms of your specific program so you know your options either way.
What does it cost to talk to Beto? +
Nothing. It's a free 10-minute call — tell him about your lot, your builder, and the home you want to build, and he'll lay out the best program, the down payment, and the timeline. No pressure, no obligation.

Let's build it — and close just once.

A free 10-minute call with Beto. Bring your lot, your builder, or just the dream, and he'll map the one-time close program that fits, lock your plan, and coordinate the build from groundbreaking to move-in. One loan, one closing, zero second-guessing.

Book My Free Call (808) 551-8045
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