Self Build Mortgages

What is a Self Build Mortgage?
The main difference between a self build mortgage and a house purchase mortgage is that with a self build mortgage money is released in stages as the build progresses rather than as a single amount.

With self build mortgages some lenders will lend you money to purchase land, typically 75% of the purchase price or value, whichever is lowest. After this, the money for the build is released in a series of stages. These self build mortgages can be fixed or flexible depending on the lender but usually there are five stages.

During the build you can borrow typically 75% of the cost of the value of the house with a self build mortgage as the project progresses, depending on the chosen lender.

With a self build mortgage there are two methods by which the money can be released during the build – at the end of each stage (arrears stage payments) or at the start of each stage (advance stage payments).

In the arrears stage payment method, the money for that stage is released after the stage has been completed and a valuer has visited the site. This can cause some self builders to have cash flow difficulties.

In the advance stage payment method, the money required for that stage is released at the start of the stage before work starts. This advance payment mortgage has become very popular as it gives positive cash flow during the build.