United States, September 4, 2025
News Summary
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.
Private lender raises construction loan limits as housing shortage grows
A nationwide private lender has boosted its new construction and transition loan limits to give experienced builders more buying power, effective immediately.
The lender increased its EasyBuild program maximums to 90% loan‑to‑cost (LTC) and 75% loan‑to‑value (LTV), up from the prior caps of 85% LTC and 70% LTV.
At the same time, its broader Residential Transition Loan (RTL) family now allows more than $5 million per unit, up from a $2 million per‑unit limit.
The moves are aimed at helping investors and developers accelerate single‑family and multifamily building amid a nationwide housing shortfall.
Who can use the higher leverage
Enhanced EasyBuild leverage is available to borrowers who can show a proven track record, specifically those with at least three completed construction projects.
The lender says the higher LTC and LTV let experienced builders take on larger projects with less upfront equity, which can speed the path from acquisition to build.
What the RTL expansion includes
The expanded RTL program covers both fix‑and‑flip and new construction loans. It supports single‑family homes and multi‑unit properties across most of the country.
Notable program features listed by the lender include interest rates starting at 8.90%, options that avoid traditional appraisals, and the ability to close in about 48 hours on qualifying deals.
The per‑unit increase to over $5 million aims to keep pace with record‑high property values and larger deal sizes that other lenders may be reluctant to finance quickly.
Why the change now
The lender framed the change as a response to sharply constrained housing supply and rising prices.
A widely cited housing analysis shows a nationwide deficit of roughly 4.7 million homes, a gap that adds pressure on prices and creates opportunities for investors who can move fast on construction and rehab deals.
Recent data also show median existing‑home prices at record levels and a meaningful share of transactions driven by investors, further highlighting demand for flexible short‑term financing.
Where the programs operate and other product lines
The lender says the expanded RTL program supports projects in most states and that EasyBuild is part of a suite of financing options for investors. Other products in the family target rehab, bridge, and rental cash‑flow loans.
The lender emphasizes streamlined approval processes and tailored loan structures for different project types rather than offering one standard product for every deal.
Local context on small‑scale housing policies
City staff in a growing metro area recently reviewed the idea of a publicly funded accessory dwelling unit (ADU) loan program and found significant limits on how many deeply affordable units such a program would produce.
Their analysis noted that pre‑development costs for ADUs often run between $20,000 and $30,000, and that low‑income homeowners are less likely to qualify or want to take on those upfront expenses.
Staff recommended a targeted pilot for moderate‑income homeowners in high‑displacement neighborhoods, estimated to need roughly $1.5 million for loans, staffing and outreach, but no funding had been identified in the current budget.
Broader financing activity in the market
Large construction financing deals for energy and housing projects have also closed this year, illustrating continued capital flow into long‑term infrastructure and rental housing.
Separately, a $60.4 million construction loan was recently provided for a 324‑unit workforce housing project near a major metro area, financed with low‑income housing tax credits and aimed at households under 60% of area median income.
What this means for builders and investors
For experienced builders, the higher LTC and LTV can reduce the amount of equity needed to start projects and improve flexibility when competing for land or quick acquisitions.
For smaller homeowners or those without construction track records, bank or public pilot programs remain the more likely path to modest infill additions such as ADUs, though those programs face practical limits on reach and cost.
Next steps and how to learn more
Investors and developers interested in the expanded programs can review lender materials and application steps on the company website or request a detailed quote through the firm’s online request form.
Because the changes are effective immediately, pipeline decisions and bidding strategies may shift quickly where demand and pricing justify larger loans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changed in the new construction loan program?
The EasyBuild program increased maximum leverage to 90% LTC and 75% LTV, up from 85% and 70% respectively. The changes are effective immediately for qualified borrowers.
Who qualifies for the higher leverage?
Borrowers with a proven track record of at least three completed construction projects are eligible for the enhanced LTC and LTV levels.
How large can RTL loans be now?
The Residential Transition Loan (RTL) program now supports > $5 million per unit, up from a previous $2 million per‑unit cap. The program spans most states.
What are key RTL features?
Key features include interest rates beginning near 8.90%, no‑appraisal options on qualifying loans, and the possibility of 48‑hour closings when conditions are met.
Will these changes solve the housing shortage?
Expanded private lending can help speed new supply from experienced builders, but broader public policy and funding are still needed to address deep affordability and the total supply gap.
Are there any targeted public programs for small‑scale housing?
Some cities have studied small ADU loan pilots for moderate‑income homeowners, but staff findings show high pre‑development costs and limited reach for low‑income households without additional subsidies.
Key program features at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| EasyBuild leverage | 90% LTC / 75% LTV (effective immediately for qualified borrowers) |
| Previous EasyBuild limits | 85% LTC / 70% LTV |
| EasyBuild eligibility | At least 3 completed construction projects |
| RTL per‑unit limit | More than $5 million per unit (up from $2 million) |
| RTL coverage | Supports single‑family and multi‑unit projects across most U.S. states |
| RTL features | Rates from ~8.90%, no‑appraisal options, 48‑hour closings |
| Market context | Estimated 4.7 million home deficit nationwide; high median prices and notable investor activity |
| Local policy context | City staff recommend targeted ADU pilot for moderate incomes; estimated pilot cost roughly $1.5M; pre‑development costs for ADUs $20K–$30K |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Business Insider: Easy Street Capital increases leverage for new construction financing
- Wikipedia: Construction loan
- GlobeNewswire: Easy‑Street Capital increases Residential Transition Loan limits to over $5 million per unit
- Google Search: Easy Street Capital Residential Transition Loan limits
- GlobeNewswire (PDF): Easy‑Street Capital investor/materials download
- Google Scholar: construction loan leverage
- Austin Monitor: Housing staff suggest ADU pilot program aimed at 80% MFI households
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Accessory dwelling unit
- REBusinessOnline: Associated Bank provides $60.4M construction loan for metro Austin affordable housing project
- Google News: construction financing housing shortage
Author: Construction FL News
FLORIDA STAFF WRITER The FLORIDA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructionflnews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florida and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florida Build Expo, major infrastructure projects, and advancements in construction technology showcases. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida and the Florida Home Builders Association, plus leading businesses in construction and legal services that power the local economy such as CMiC Global and Shutts & Bowen LLP. As part of the broader network, including constructioncanews.com, constructionnynews.com, and constructiontxnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic construction landscape across multiple states.
