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Residential Construction Loans for Builders: Work With Our Local Lenders

November 6, 2024

For residential home builders, every successful construction project begins with securing the right financing. Whether building a custom home for a client or developing a new residential subdivision, you need a strong lending partner to support your business.

At Texas Gulf Bank, we offer regional expertise in the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast region, strategic loan options, and exceptional customer service to make your residential construction projects a reality.

Learn more about residential construction loans for builders, the different loan options available, and what you need to qualify for a construction loan. 

Understanding Residential Construction Loans for Builders

A residential construction loan is a short-term business loan that covers the cost of building a home. Unlike a traditional mortgage loan, which provides funds for buying an existing home, construction loans provide the money your company needs to cover expenses such as:

  • Land
  • Contractor fees
  • Labor
  • Building materials
  • Insurance
  • Permits and inspections

For builders or real estate investors, residential construction loans can be a valuable financial resource to ensure construction starts and ends in a timely manner. With the cost of building a residential property on the rise, builders need reliable funding that covers construction-related expenses.

Instead of receiving funds in a lump sum, builders receive funds in stages, also called “draws.” Each loan draw is directly tied to reaching specific construction milestones, such as laying the foundation, framing, or roofing, and also provides a payment plan for contractors and subcontractors.

This loan structure ensures that funds are released on an as-needed basis, which can help the construction project achieve steady progress. In addition, loan draws ensure that the project has sufficient funds for the final phases of the construction work.

During the construction period, borrowing builders typically make interest-only payments on the amount disbursed. This structure keeps payments lower during the building phase, with the expectation that a sale will follow once the home is fully constructed.

Overall, residential construction loans offer a reliable and accessible way to secure funding for your residential development projects.

Residential Construction Loans: A Variety of Options 

If your residential construction projects require significant funding, the lenders at Texas Gulf Bank can help you identify which loan option is the best fit for your construction needs. 

Residential construction loans can help support projects for single family spec homes, condominiums, townhomes, or even residential subdivisions.

The most common type of business loan for builders is a standalone ground-up construction-only loan. This loan allows property developers and home builders to access capital for residential construction needs.

As a short-term lending option, residential ground-up construction loans are ideal for builders and property developers who plan to sell the home once construction is complete.

What You Need to Qualify for a Residential Construction Loan 

At Texas Gulf Bank, residential construction loans typically have more rigorous loan qualifications than traditional mortgages. The ideal loan candidate should meet the following: 

  • Stable Financial History: Strong credit scores based on Texas Gulf Bank’s lending standards are recommended for residential construction loans. Applicants should also have a favorable debt-to-income ratio to demonstrate their ability to repay the construction loan fully.
  • Down Payment: We may request a down payment percentage of the total project cost to secure the loan, in addition to a lien on the real estate and improvements.
  • Builder Qualifications: As a home builder or developer, you’ll need to demonstrate a solid track record in managing residential construction projects. As your lender, we want to ensure that you can complete the project on time and within budget.
  • Detailed Plan: We require a detailed project plan, including architectural drawings, general contractor information, cost estimates, a construction timeline, and any required permits. This information helps us determine the project’s feasibility.
  • Appraisal: We will order an appraisal to ensure that the home’s projected value upon completion results in an acceptable loan-to-value ratio that meets our underwriting requirements.

Our local lenders can help you navigate the entire loan application process for a smooth, efficient lending experience. We’ll walk through how construction loans work and guide you toward the appropriate lending solution.

Why Choose Texas Gulf Bank for Residential Construction?

With deep roots in the community and a commitment to providing personalized service, the Texas Gulf Bank loan specialists understand the unique challenges and needs of residential builders in this market.

When it comes to choosing a lender for your residential construction project, we offer several distinct advantages that set us apart in the region. These advantages include the following.

Local Expertise 

With more than a century of experience serving businesses in the region, Texas Gulf Bank understands the unique needs of the local market.

Our team is familiar with the economic conditions, local contractors, and regional regulations that impact residential construction projects in this area. As a result, our bank can offer tailored lending solutions that fit your specific needs. 

Flexible Loan Options 

We understand that no two construction projects are the same. Whether you’re building a single custom home or developing multiple properties, we offer a variety of loan options to meet your specific needs.

Our flexible lending terms allow you to secure the financing that works best for your project, ensuring that you can proceed with confidence at every stage of the construction process. 

Fast and Responsive Service 

We pride ourselves on providing a high level of personalized service. When you work with Texas Gulf Bank, you’ll have a dedicated loan officer who will walk you through every step of the loan application and approval process.

We understand that time is money in construction, so our in-house loan review team prioritizes approvals once we receive all required loan documents. If approved for financing, we also strive for timely disbursements to keep your project on schedule. 

Long-Term Banking Relationships 

We’re not just interested in helping you finance one project but are committed to building long-term relationships with residential builders in our community. Our bank is here to support your growth and success.

With Texas Gulf Bank as your lending partner, your residential construction projects will be supported by a reliable team ready to help fuel your business growth.

How to Apply for Funding Through Texas Gulf Bank  

If your project meets our initial construction loan requirements, your business will need to provide key documentation as part of the loan application process. Our request includes, but is not limited to, the following information:

  • Completed application
  • 3 years of personal financial statements
  • 3 years of personal and/or business tax returns
  • List of current assets and liabilities
  • Current cash flow and contingent liabilities
  • Earnest money contract or closing statement on the building lot
  • Construction plans and building specs
  • Budget with estimated line-item costs
  • Cost and land survey for lot

Once all required documents have been submitted, our in-house loan team will begin reviewing your application. If approved for a loan, you may receive prompt funding to help start construction project work.

Contact Texas Gulf Bank Today to Get Started

For residential home builders in the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast region, you need a construction loan lender who understands your industry, market, and vision.

Texas Gulf Bank offers construction loans that fit your requirements. We back our offerings with the experience, flexibility, and personal attention needed to make your next residential construction project a success.

Contact Texas Gulf Bank today to speak with one of our loan specialists, or visit our website to learn more about residential construction loans for builders in Texas.

Let us help you build the future one home at a time.

Loans subject to credit approval

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