Case-by-case review for qualified, experienced building professionals with documented residential construction-management experience and applicable project credentials. This is not consumer DIY or speculative-build financing.
Most construction lenders require an approved third-party general contractor on every project. For experienced building professionals—general contractors, custom home builders, and qualified tradespeople—that can mean paying someone else to manage a process they are already qualified to run.
Our owner-builder program can remove that barrier for qualified professionals. If you have verifiable residential construction-management experience and the credentials required for the project, you may be considered to act as your own general contractor on your primary residence. Eligibility is reviewed case by case; professional status alone does not determine approval.
This is a niche program with strict eligibility requirements. It is not available for spec homes, investment properties, or borrowers without verifiable construction industry credentials. But for the right borrower, it offers a level of control over cost, quality, and timeline that no other program can match.
To qualify as an owner-builder, you must document verifiable experience managing residential construction and the contractor registration, trade, or local credentials applicable to the project. The home must be intended as your primary residence. Spec builds, investment properties, and projects intended for resale are not eligible under this program.
Owner-builder loans use the same draw process as standard construction loans — progress inspections, contractor affidavits, and staged disbursements. Because you are acting as your own GC, you will work directly with the Construction Specialist to manage draw requests, track budget against disbursements, and coordinate inspections. This requires more active involvement from the borrower, but also provides more direct control over the project.