Due to the increasing value of finished properties, constructions loans are becoming more and more popular everyday. That's why it is not strange that stated income loans for constructions have become available in the last years. As with other loan types it is possible to obtain a loan even if you lack the proper documentation to prove your income from top to bottom.

There are however requirements that you'll need to meet in order to compensate for this lack of backing up documentation. These requirements are different for the self employed and for the employed. Yet, there is a common requirement for both of them that will determine approval or decline: a down payment or cash reserve as an alternative proof of income and guarantee.

 

Purpose of Stated Income Feature

The idea of stated income is not to let you be economical with the truth and state an income over your capacity so as to get better terms or get approved when you otherwise wouldn't. Stated income is meant for those who have alternative sources of funds or intricate tax returns and deductions and thus cannot provide full proof of their actual income capacity.

Also, for those who have a job but other sources of income too, it is possible to get qualified for higher amounts and better terms. Some lenders will be willing to state your job as the source of income but take into account the additional funds so as to reach the loan amount or repayment program that you desire. This is especially useful for those that wouldn't otherwise meet the requirements for approval.

 

Simple Documentation Requirements For Approval

There are no harsh approval processes for these loans. There are simple documentation requirements that can be solved in a matter of hours. You won't be required to show proof of income and thus, no copies of your pay checks or tax returns (if you are self employed) will be required in order to get approved for a stated income construction loan.

Instead mere formalities are required, so as to make sure that you actually have income regardless of its amount. You'll need a note from your Certified public accountant or your TAX preparer stating that you are self employed or a letter from your employer stating that you are employed. No reference to actual income is needed. The documentation is needed only to back up the income source, not the amount.

 

The Cash Reserve Requirement

In order to get approved for stated income construction loan, you'll need to build a cash reserve to guarantee repayment of the loan if anything unexpected happens. The amount ranges from one lender to another usually equals to three months to a year of the monthly installments of the construction loan. The repayment program will also determine the amount of the cash reserve. Longer repayment programs will require higher amounts and shorter repayment programs will require lower amounts. Also, the borrower's credit score and financial situation will be taken into account to define the cash reserve requirement. An excellent credit score and financial situation may entitle the borrower to bypass this requirement.