Construction financing for builders and investors.
Financing for land acquisition and vertical construction of new residential investment property — spec homes, infill lots, small multifamily. Starlit arranges ground-up construction loans that fund the build in draws, with reserves that can be capitalized so the project carries itself.
LTC on land plus construction
Interest reserves can be capitalized
Funded as construction milestones are met
Terms sized to your build schedule
Built for the way investors actually work.
Spec builders
Fund the lot and the vertical build under one loan, with a draw schedule that matches your construction timeline.
Investors developing infill lots
Turn a teardown or vacant lot into new product without tying up all of your own capital.
Small multifamily and ADU projects
Duplexes, triplexes, and accessory units on investment property qualify as ground-up construction.
What we look at.
Asset-based means the deal carries the weight. Here's what goes into a decision — and what doesn't.
Start a requestThe plans, budget, and timeline
A complete construction budget and a realistic schedule are the foundation of the loan.
The builder
Your general contractor's experience and licensing, or yours if you're building it yourself.
The completed value
Comparable new-construction sales tell us where the finished project lands.
The exit
Sale on completion or a refinance into a rental loan — we can arrange the takeout too.
Ground-Up Construction Loans we have closed.
Common questions.
What does a ground-up construction loan cover?
Land acquisition (or the payoff of an existing land loan) plus the hard and soft costs of construction. Funds beyond the initial advance are released in draws as work is completed and inspected.
How much can I borrow?
Up to 85% of total project cost — land plus construction. The balance is your equity in the project, which can include land you already own.
What does it mean to capitalize reserves?
Interest and sometimes other carrying costs are built into the loan amount and paid from the loan itself during construction, so you're not making payments out of pocket while there's no income from the property.
Do I need to be a licensed contractor?
Not necessarily. Many of our borrowers use a licensed general contractor; owner-builders are considered case by case based on experience.
How long are the terms?
Terms are matched to the build schedule and exit, and are flexible. Tell us your timeline and we'll structure around it.
Do you finance the lot separately?
Land acquisition is usually included in the construction loan so the whole project is financed under one structure. If you already own the lot, your equity in it counts toward your contribution.
Where do you lend?
Starlit arranges construction financing for investors and builders in markets across the country; recent construction closings include Sacramento and Fremont, California.
Not the right fit? See how the rest of our financing lines up.
Let's talk about your next project.
Tell us what you're buying, building, or refinancing. We'll come back with options — usually the same day.