Finance the land. Fund the build. Deliver the project.

Ground-up construction loans for new 1–4 unit investment builds: land acquisition plus vertical construction in one loan, with draws tied to your build milestones.

Up to 85%
Total Loan-to-Cost
Up to 70%
Loan-to-ARV
$200K–$3M
Loan Amounts
18–24 Mo
Interest-Only Terms

Built for builders

One loan covers your site acquisition (or land refinance) and the full vertical build on entitled, permitted sites within metro markets. Interest accrues only on drawn funds, and your draw schedule is engineered around the project's real milestones: framing, rough-in, finishes, completion.

Renovating an existing structure instead? See Fix & Flip / Renovation, including expansions up to 20% of the existing footprint.

Program highlights

  • Land + construction budget in a single close
  • Land advance up to 65% of value on day one
  • Interest on drawn balance only. Undrawn funds cost nothing
  • Fixed rate, interest-only, with escrowed interest reserves
  • Draws tied to milestones with third-party inspection
  • Spec builds, teardown/rebuilds, and infill development welcome

Terms at a glance

Leverage

How much we lend

Land advance (day 1) Up to 65% LTV
Initial loan-to-cost Up to 75%
Total loan-to-cost Up to 85%
Loan-to-ARV Up to 70%
Loan size $200K – $3M
Structure

How the loan works

Base term 18 months
Larger projects (>$1.5M) 24 months
Extensions 3-month increments
Payments Interest-only, drawn balance
Rate Fixed at closing
Contingency 10% of budget
Takeovers

Mid-construction refinance

Started a build with another lender? Arcstone can refinance in-progress projects where construction began within the last 180 days, with verified lien waivers, permit checks, and a fresh appraisal to reset the project on solid footing.

Eligible building sites

Entitled & permitted lots Metro-area (MSA) locations Teardown / rebuild sites Infill subdivision lots SFR · Townhome · 2–4 unit

Sites should be ready for vertical construction with utilities available and land-use approvals in place. Building permit in hand, or in active application with a documented approval path, at closing. Raw, non-entitled land isn't eligible at this time.

For proven builders

Ground-up construction is our most specialized program. Qualifying requires prior ground-up experience (at least one completed new-construction project in the last 36 months) alongside your broader investment track record. Your builder resume determines leverage and loan size.

A licensed general contractor leads every project (owner-builders considered with licensed subs for major systems). A third-party feasibility review, Builder's Risk insurance, and assignable construction contracts protect the project and you.

From lot to certificate of occupancy

01

Apply

Submit your site, plans, construction budget, and GC package. A third-party feasibility review validates scope, cost, and timeline.

02

Close

Fund the land advance at closing with your construction budget escrowed and a milestone draw schedule locked in.

03

Build & draw

Draws release at verified milestones (framing, rough-in, finishes) with interest accruing only on funds released.

04

Complete & exit

Hit certificate of occupancy, release the final draw, and exit through sale or a stabilized rental refinance.

Construction lending questions, answered

What does a ground-up construction loan cover?

The land acquisition (or a refinance of existing land debt) plus the full vertical construction budget: hard costs, approved soft costs like plans and permits, contingency, and interest reserves, all in one loan with one closing.

How much experience do I need?

Ground-up lending requires ground-up experience: at least one completed new-construction project in the last 36 months, on top of your general investment track record. Builders with two or more recent ground-up completions qualify for our top leverage and loan sizes.

Do I pay interest on the full loan from closing?

No. Interest accrues only on your outstanding drawn balance: the land advance at first, then each draw as it's released. Committed but undrawn construction funds cost you nothing.

How are draws released?

Against completed, inspected work at pre-set milestones, typically framing, mechanical/electrical/plumbing rough-in, finishes, and completion. The schedule is customized to your project with our Construction Management team, and a third-party inspector verifies each stage.

What if my permit isn't issued yet?

You can close with the building permit application submitted and a documented approval path, with a portion of the budget held until the permit is in hand. The permit must be issued before your first construction draw.

Can I build on land I already own?

Yes. Existing land ownership works as equity in the deal, and seasoned lot equity counts toward your required contribution. We'll appraise the site and structure the construction budget around it.

Do you finance spec homes?

Yes. Spec builds for resale, build-to-rent projects, teardown-rebuilds, and small infill developments on 1–4 unit residential sites are all supported, as long as the site is entitled, permitted, and in a metro market.

What insurance is required?

Builder's Risk covering the remaining project costs is required on every construction loan, along with commercial general liability ($1M per occurrence) and workers' compensation carried by your GC per state law.

Let's break ground together

Send us your site and your plans, and we'll structure construction capital around your build.