U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) announced this week that it has revised its long-held policy requiring a three-year wait period following construction completion before accepting HUD-insured refinance applications for multifamily properties.  Under the new rules recently constructed multifamily properties are now eligible for a HUD 223(f) refinance upon achieving stabilization. 

Eligible properties must achieve the underwritten income and expense levels and debt service coverage ratio for a period of at least three consecutive months prior to closing.  Cash-out refinances have the additional limitation requiring a 50% hold-back until the project achieves six months consecutive performance at these levels.   The full details are published in Mortgagee Letter 2020-03. 

The HUD 221(d)4 loan has traditionally been one of best new construction/sub-rehab loans available in the market, with its long-term, low interest rate financing covering up to 90% of development cost.  However, its Achilles heel has been its Davis Bacon wage requirements along with longer processing time which have discouraged some developers. With the elimination of the 3-year rule for multifamily properties, conventionally financed developments can still benefit from HUD's attractive long-term, low interest rate financing.

Give us a call for more information or to learn how HUD loan programs can benefit your real estate investment.