Private lender increases construction loan limits to give builders more buying power for new housing projects.
United States, September 4, 2025
A nationwide private lender has increased leverage in its EasyBuild and Residential Transition Loan (RTL) programs to accelerate construction amid a national housing shortfall. EasyBuild maximums now rise to 90% loan‑to‑cost and 75% loan‑to‑value for qualified borrowers with at least three completed projects. RTL per‑unit limits jump to more than $5 million, with rates starting near 8.90%, no‑appraisal options, and potential 48‑hour closings on qualifying deals. The changes aim to give experienced builders more buying power while local ADU pilots and public programs remain important for smaller, affordable infill work.
What happened: A nationwide private lending platform announced immediate increases to its new‑construction loan limits and widened per‑unit caps for its broader residential transition loan lineup. The changes push new construction leverage to 90% loan‑to‑cost (LTC) and 75% loan‑to‑value (LTV) for experienced builders and lift per‑unit RTL limits from $2 million to over $5 million. The lender made one change public on Aug. 20, 2025 and the other on Sept. 3, 2025.
The enhanced EasyBuild product now offers up to 90% LTC and 75% LTV but those top terms are reserved for borrowers that can demonstrate a track record of at least three completed construction projects. Previously the limits were 85% LTC and 70% LTV. The offer is aimed at experienced small‑to‑mid‑sized developers and investor‑builders who want to scale single‑family and multifamily ground‑up work with less upfront equity.
The lender also expanded its Residential Transition Loan (RTL) program to permit financing of more than $5 million per unit on qualifying projects. Alongside the higher per‑unit caps, the RTL family lists features that include interest rates starting near 8.90%, no‑appraisal options on certain deals, and the ability to close in roughly 48 hours. The RTL family includes products for fix‑and‑flip and bridge loans as well as new construction, and the expanded limits are sized to support both single‑family and multi‑unit investments across most U.S. states.
The lender framed the updates as a response to widespread market pressure: home prices have hit record levels in recent months and many regions report a multi‑million‑unit shortfall versus housing demand. The combined effect of higher prices and investor activity has left some traditional lenders reluctant to take on large or fast‑moving deals, creating a niche for faster, more flexible private financing that targets experienced sponsors.
The lender positions the moves as tools for investors to pursue larger projects with lower upfront cash requirements, accelerate construction timelines and close quickly on deals where market windows are narrow. The product family also includes rental‑focused financing based on debt service coverage rather than full income‑verification, giving a broader set of options for buy‑and‑hold and transitional assets.
At the municipal level, some cities are examining public programs to boost smaller‑scale infill housing such as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), but staff work has found that broad, publicly funded ADU programs risk limited uptake among the lowest‑income households unless substantial subsidies are provided. Local analysis shows pre‑development costs for ADUs can run from about $20,000 to $30,000 and that deeply affordable outcomes typically require targeted forgivable aid plus careful household selection. One city staff memo advised a modest pilot aimed at moderate‑income homeowners, with an estimated funding need in the neighborhood of $1.5 million for loans, staffing and outreach.
Separately, a developer of large battery energy storage projects closed about $286 million in project financing in March to build two utility‑scale storage facilities totaling roughly 300 MW and 800 MWh; those projects are expected to enter commercial operation later in 2025. In the affordable housing space, a 324‑unit apartment community northeast of a major Texas city secured a roughly $60.4 million construction loan as part of a 4% low‑income housing tax credit development aimed at households earning under 60% of area median income. That project is slated for completion in early 2027 and includes resident services such as tutoring hours and on‑site amenities.
Full product details, eligibility rules and application instructions are available from the lender’s public materials and request channels.
The top available terms are now 90% loan‑to‑cost and 75% loan‑to‑value for eligible borrowers with a minimum of three completed construction projects.
Borrowers who can document at least three completed construction deals and who meet the lender’s underwriting and experience checks are eligible for the highest leverage tiers.
Per‑unit financing caps were raised from $2 million to over $5 million, widening the program’s ability to support larger single‑unit and small multifamily projects.
Yes. The RTL product family emphasizes speed with options that can close in roughly 48 hours for qualifying transactions, alongside no‑appraisal options in some cases.
Higher private lending capacity can help accelerate certain projects, especially for experienced builders, but it does not by itself resolve broader constraints such as land availability, zoning, permitting delays, labor shortages and materials costs.
| Program | New limits / features | Eligibility / notes |
|---|---|---|
| EasyBuild (new construction) | Up to 90% LTC / 75% LTV | Top terms for borrowers with 3+ completed construction projects |
| RTL (Residential Transition Loan) | Per‑unit caps > $5M; rates from ~8.90%; no‑appraisal options; 48‑hour closings | Supports single‑family and multi‑unit; designed for speed on large deals |
| EasyFix / EasyRent | Fix‑and‑flip, bridge, and DSCR rental financing | Part of the lender’s product family for investors and landlords |
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