Buying a house

If you’re planning to buy or build a new primary home, you might consider requesting a residential loan. But before you apply, be sure to read the TSP booklet, Loans. Keep in mind that a residential loan is not a mortgage, and your loan interest payments are not tax deductible as they might be for a mortgage or home equity loan. Furthermore, you cannot use a residential loan for refinancing or repaying an existing mortgage, for renovations or repairs, for buying out another person’s share in your current home, or for the purpose of land only.

Residential loan documentation

When you request a TSP residential loan, log in to My Account: TSP Loans to start the application process online, then print out and submit the Loan Agreement for processing along with any required documentation. Visit Applying for a loan for more information.

Documentation requirements

Documentation for all residential loans must

• be from a third party or someone who is selling the home to you or building it for you;
• be received by us before the expiration date at the top of the Loan Agreement;
• show that you or your spouse is the purchaser or that the residence is being built for you;
• show the full address of the primary residence; and
• show the purchase or construction price.

Special requirements

In addition to the requirements listed above, some types of primary residences require you to show further documentation.

Cooperative purchase

When buying a cooperative, you must show that you own shares in a cooperative housing corporation.

New home construction purchase

When you’re constructing a new primary home, you must show evidence that a complete home will be constructed, such as the following:

• Building permits
• Building receipts
• Other third-party documents

Mobile home or recreational vehicle purchase

When buying a mobile home or recreational vehicle as your primary home, you must provide all of the following:

• Serial number or other identifying number
• Complete description of facilities and accommodations (RVs)
• Signed statement that the RV will be your primary home (RVs)

Boat purchase

When buying a boat as your primary home, you must provide all of the following:

• Serial number or other identifying number
• Letter from the marina or other location where your boat will be moored
• Signed statement that the boat will be your primary home

Changing your address

Once you’ve bought or built your new home, be sure that we have your new address on file.

• If you’re a current federal employee, contact your agency’s or service’s payroll office to change your address.
• If you’re an active duty uniformed services member, update your address through the MyPay website. Just make sure that you log in and go to the TSP section to change your TSP address. If you change it in the “Correspondence Address” section of myPay, it will not change your TSP address.
• If you’re no longer a federal employee, log into My Account: Profile Settings and review and change the address listed there. Or while you’re logged in, use our online tool to complete Form TSP-9, Change in Address for Separated Participants. You can also fax or mail it to us.