Читать книгу More Straw Bale Building - Peter Mack - Страница 92

Obtaining a construction mortgage, even for a conventional structure, can often be difficult, especially if you are planning to build for yourself. Banks are wary of construction projects because an awful lot of their money goes into the project before it becomes a home with any appreciable resale value. During construction, their money is in a risky spot, and they must have confidence in you, your abilities, and your overall plan. They must also have confidence in your financial situation. So you enter this scenario with several potential problems to overcome, never mind your plans for straw bale walls.

Don’t panic! Many bale builders have obtained financing from regular sources. There are many things you can do to help your situation. First, it will work in your favor to bring the lender a good set of building plans that are professionally drawn and appear thorough in all their considerations. So will a thorough and realistic budget and timeline. Ensure your budget contains guaranteed quotes for materials and services you’ll require. If you are a first-time builder, you may need to hire professional consultants to show the bank that there is good help available to you should problems arise. If you are hiring a general contractor to build your home, he or she will have to fill out paperwork for the bank too. Hiring someone with a good local reputation will certainly help.

The US Department of Energy has published positive findings about straw bale construction, and other government agencies have also done preliminary studies on straw bale with positive results. The CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation), which helps set many of the standards used by lending institutions in Canada, is quite supportive of straw bale construction, and their data can be used when negotiating for a loan. Government facts, figures, and opinions can be powerful tools when you’re dealing with lenders.

Many bale builders have had to approach numerous lending institutions to find the right combination of personality and corporate culture before they secured funding. Don’t let a rejection put you off. If you truly are a good risk, eventually somebody will lend you the money. It takes thoughtful preparation and patience to explain straw bale construction to a lender.

Obtaining a building mortgage is one thing; living by its strict guidelines is another. Building mortgages come with strict pay-out schedules, and money is only advanced to you when you have completed each phase to the lender’s satisfaction. They will also determine percentages of the overall budget that can be used for certain expenses. For example, they will determine how much of the overall amount you can spend on windows. So your initial budgeting may need to be adjusted to work with the lender’s guidelines. The lender will also hold back the final portion of the loan until they are satisfied that the project is complete. Building with a conventional construction mortgage is often stressful and occasionally requires that you have other means of financing when delays or unforeseen expenses arise.

As the number of bale homes continues to increase, it becomes more likely that a financial institution in your area has already lent to a bale home builder. Some research into existing bale homes in your area can lead you in directions where the doors have already been successfully opened to straw bale buildings.