Ground-Up Construction Loans Florida | Spec & BTR
Cambridge Home Loan — Trusted Since 1998
NMLS #1826020 Construction & build-to-rent lending (800) 826-5077
Construction & build-to-rent · statewide Florida

Ground-up construction loans in Florida.

Banks want a buyer and your W-2 before they’ll build. We finance spec and build-to-rent on the project itself — land plus vertical, by draw.

Land + vertical financedInterest-only on drawsSpec & build-to-rentInvestors & LLCs welcome
up to 85%
of cost
up to 75%
of ARV
12–18 mo
term
Exit
sale or DSCR

Price your build

Ground-up financing for spec and build-to-rent — land plus construction, by draw.

LOAN APPLICATION  QUICK APPLY

Or call (800) 826-5077 · Equal Housing Lender

The short answer

Yes — investors and builders can finance ground-up construction in Florida. We fund land plus vertical on a draw schedule, up to ~85% of cost and ~75% of completed (ARV) value, with interest only on what you’ve drawn. Banks mostly lend on pre-sold or owner-occupied builds; we finance spec and build-to-rent, closed in an LLC, with an exit to sale or a DSCR refinance.

Loan-to-cost
up to ~85%
Loan-to-ARV
up to ~75%
Term
12–18 mo
Draws
by inspection
Exit
sale or DSCR
Close in
An LLC
Banks finance pre-sold homes. We finance spec.Send plans & a budget — get priced fast.
Call (800) 826-5077
What it builds

Finance the build, not just the lot

Ground-up construction loans fund land plus vertical construction on a draw schedule, with interest only on what you’ve drawn.

Spec homes

Build single-family or luxury spec to sell — financing for land, materials, and labor.

Build-to-rent

Construct rentals and exit into a DSCR loan that qualifies on the rent.

Infill & teardown

Tear-down/rebuild and infill lots in established neighborhoods.

Small multifamily

Duplex to small multifamily ground-up for rent or sale.

Build-to-sell portfolios

Multiple-home spec programs for active builders.

Land + vertical

One loan covering lot acquisition and construction draws.

Why a broker wins here

Investor construction vs. a bank build loan

Banks want a buyer and your W-2 first. We underwrite the project, the ARV, and your plan.

What mattersA bank or credit unionCambridge construction (broker + lender)
Who they build forOwner-occupants / presoldInvestors & spec builders
Spec (no buyer yet)Usually declinedCore business
Approval basisYour income & DTIProject cost, ARV & experience
LeverageConservativeUp to ~85% of cost / 75% ARV
Draw speedSlow committeesFast inspection-based draws
Close in an LLCOften blockedStandard
Exit flexibilityRigidSell or refinance to DSCR

Reflects conventional vs. investor/spec construction lending. Subject to plans, budget, experience, and underwriting.

Terms

Construction terms at a glance

ItemTypicalNotes
Loan-to-costup to ~85%Land + hard/soft costs
Loan-to-ARVup to ~75%Of completed value
Term12–18 moInterest-only on drawn balance
Drawsby inspectionReleased as stages complete
ExperiencepreferredStronger terms for track record
Rates / pointsfrom ~10% + ptsPriced to project & risk
Exitsale or DSCRRefinance to a 30-yr rental loan

Illustrative 2026 ranges; leverage, rate, and points depend on plans, budget, experience, and exit. Investment properties only. Subject to approval.

Spec, build-to-rent, or build-to-sell?One loan covers land and vertical.
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How it works

From lot to certificate of occupancy

1

Send plans & budget

Lot, plans, scope, budget, and exit — we size leverage fast.

2

Term sheet & appraisal

We confirm cost and completed (ARV) value and issue terms.

3

Close on land + loan

Fund land and the construction facility in an LLC.

4

Draw as you build

Reimbursements released by inspection; interest only on drawn funds.

5

Exit

Sell the finished home or refinance into a DSCR rental loan.

FAQ

Construction loan questions

Can I finance ground-up construction in Florida as an investor?+
Yes. We finance spec and build-to-rent construction for investors and builders in Florida — land plus vertical — on a draw schedule, where most banks only lend to owner-occupants or pre-sold homes.
How much of the cost can you finance?+
Typically up to about 85% of total project cost (land plus hard and soft costs) and up to ~75% of the completed (ARV) value, with funds released by inspection as stages finish.
How do construction draws work?+
You fund the early stage, then draw reimbursements as work is completed and inspected. You pay interest only on the balance you’ve drawn, which keeps carrying costs down during the build.
What’s the term and how do I exit?+
Terms run 12–18 months. You exit by selling the finished home or refinancing into a DSCR loan that qualifies on the rent if you’re keeping it as a rental.
Do I need building experience?+
Experience helps and improves your leverage and pricing, but we work with newer builders too, often with a qualified general contractor and a solid budget.
Can I close in an LLC?+
Yes — entity closings are standard for construction and build-to-rent projects.

Build it — we’ll fund the dirt and the vertical.

Talk to a construction lender who finances spec and build-to-rent. No pre-sale required, no call center — just leverage and fast draws.

Cambridge Home Loan — ground-up construction financing across Florida for non-owner-occupied investment properties only. Cambridge Home Loan, NMLS #1826020. Terms, rates, points, and eligibility are illustrative and current as of June 2026, subject to credit approval, property eligibility, and underwriting, and are not a commitment to lend. This is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Equal Housing Lender.

Call (800) 826-5077