Construction
Finance the build, then the home
Building instead of buying means your financing has two lives: the construction phase, where funds draw down as work completes, and the permanent mortgage that follows. Construction-to-permanent loans handle both with a single qualification — and in a market where the right lot beats the right listing, that's a powerful option.
This tends to fit you if…
- You own a lot (or want one) and plan a ground-up build
- You're planning a renovation substantial enough to need staged funding
- You have a licensed builder and plans — or want guidance getting there
- You want one close, not two rounds of qualifying and fees
Good to know
- Lenders will vet your builder — licensing, insurance, track record. A strong builder file speeds everything.
- During construction you typically pay interest only on funds drawn so far, not the full loan amount.
- Fewer lenders play in construction than in standard purchase lending, which makes broker access to the ones who do genuinely valuable.
How it works with me
- 01
Feasibility first
Budget, builder, plans, timeline — we pressure-test the project the way the lender will, before you're committed.
- 02
One qualification
Construction-to-perm means one approval covering both phases; funds release on inspection milestones as the build progresses.
- 03
Convert to permanent
When the certificate of occupancy lands, the loan converts to a standard mortgage without re-qualifying.
Quick answers
Do I need to own the land first?
No — the lot purchase can often roll into the construction loan itself. If you already own it, its equity can count toward your down payment.
What if the build runs over budget?
Contingency reserves are built into the loan structure for exactly this. We'll size them realistically up front — optimistic budgets are how construction loans get stressful.
Next step
Not sure this is the one? That's my job, not yours.
Fifteen minutes on the phone and I'll tell you which program actually fits your file — and what it takes to qualify.
The next step
15 minutes with Ingrid beats a week of googling.
No obligation, no pressure. Tell her where you are — she'll tell you exactly what's possible and what happens next.