Spec Builder Financing · Houston & Greater Texas

Build on Your Terms.
Finance with Confidence.

Spec construction financing structured for builders who move fast. Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA spec programs with draw schedules designed to keep your projects on track — not hold them up.

⚠️ This page is for builders and developers only. If you're a buyer looking for new construction financing, visit our Construction Loan page.
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AIO Loans Are Not Available for Spec Construction in Texas

The All-In-One (AIO) loan is not eligible for spec construction financing in the state of Texas. Eligible programs are Conventional (Fannie/Freddie), FHA, VA, and USDA — through the Spec Lock (Build & Lock) program. Non-Agency and Non-QM products are also excluded from Spec Lock. Contact Tyler to confirm program eligibility for your specific build scenario before proceeding.

Spec Financing Options for Builders

Every program below is available through CMG's Spec Lock (Build & Lock) structure — letting the builder lock a rate before the buyer is identified. Each loan type serves a different buyer pool, so you can cater to the widest market.

Conventional

Conventional Spec Financing

The most flexible and widely used spec program. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines with competitive pricing and broad buyer eligibility. Ideal for mid-to-upper price points where buyers have solid credit and standard down payments.

Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac eligible
Rate lock during construction
Broadest buyer eligibility
Available for single-family and multi-unit specs
FHA

FHA Spec Financing

Opens your completed spec homes to first-time and lower-credit buyers — significantly expanding your buyer pool, especially in the $250K–$450K price range that dominates the Houston suburbs. Government-backed and buyer-friendly.

Opens inventory to first-time buyer market
Lower down payment requirement for buyers
Competitive for Katy, Cypress, and Sugar Land price points
FHA loan limits apply by county
VA

VA Spec Financing

Houston's military community is massive. VA spec financing lets you tap into a buyer pool with no down payment requirement, motivated buyers, and strong purchasing power. Fort Bend County and Harris County have significant veteran populations.

Zero down payment for eligible veterans
Strong demand in Houston metro market
VA appraisal / MPR standards apply
Competitive financing for buyers
USDA

USDA Spec Financing

For builders developing in eligible rural and semi-rural areas outside Houston's core. USDA financing offers buyers zero down payment, which dramatically increases demand in markets like Waller, Montgomery, and outer Fort Bend County.

Zero down for eligible buyers
Eligible in many outer Houston suburbs
USDA income and property eligibility apply
Strong demand driver in rural corridors

Build it. Lock it.
Sell it. Close it.

CMG's Spec Lock (Build & Lock) program lets builders lock a rate on a spec home while it's still under construction — before a buyer is even identified. That means your end-buyer comes to the table with certainty on their financing.

1

Builder Qualification & Pre-Approval

Tyler reviews your builder status, current projects, and financing needs. We establish which spec programs you qualify for and set up the draw structure for your build.

2

Rate Lock During Construction

Once construction begins, the interest rate is locked through the Build & Lock program — protecting the future buyer from rising rates during the build timeline. Available on Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA programs.

3

Buyer Comes In Pre-Qualified

Tyler works with the buyer (often without a realtor) to pre-qualify them specifically for your spec home. The buyer's financing is aligned with the locked rate and the home's completed value before contracts are signed.

4

Construction Draws & Inspections

Draw requests are managed efficiently with minimal delays. CMG's builder program is designed to keep your crews paid and your timeline intact — not bogged down in paperwork.

5

Smooth Close at Completion

When the certificate of occupancy is issued and the home is complete, the loan converts to permanent financing and the buyer closes. Your proceeds are released. Clean, fast, repeatable.

A Builder's Loan Officer,
Not a Consumer Loan Officer

Builders need a loan officer who understands your timeline, your margins, and the difference between a draw request and a loan application. Tyler works with builders across the Houston metro — and he's fast.

Fast Draw Approvals

No waiting weeks for draw inspections. Tyler understands that time on a construction project is money, and moves with urgency on every request.

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Buyer Pre-Qualification

Bring Tyler in early and he'll pre-qualify interested buyers against your spec home — so you're not signing contracts with unqualified buyers and losing 45 days of your build cycle.

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Deep Program Knowledge

Tyler knows exactly which programs work for spec builds and which ones don't — saving you from surprises mid-deal. He'll tell you upfront what flies and what doesn't.

Builder FAQs

Spec financing is for the builder — you're building a home without a committed buyer, carrying the construction loan risk yourself until the home sells. A buyer's construction loan is taken out by the eventual homeowner and covers the cost of building a home they've already contracted to purchase. This page covers builder spec programs only. Buyer construction loans are covered on our construction loan page.
No. The All-In-One (AIO) loan is not available for spec construction financing in the state of Texas. Eligible programs for the Spec Lock structure are Conventional (Fannie/Freddie), FHA, VA, and USDA. Non-Agency and Non-QM products are also excluded. This is a firm compliance requirement — not a lender overlay that can be worked around.
CMG's Spec Lock (Build & Lock) program allows a rate to be locked on the eventual permanent financing while the home is still being built. The lock protects the future buyer from rate increases during construction. Lock terms and pricing vary — contact Tyler for current lock windows and costs associated with your specific program type.
Tyler works with builders of all sizes — from single-lot spec builders doing one or two homes a year to regional developers with active pipelines. If you're building in the Houston metro area and need spec financing or a reliable loan officer to send your buyers to, Tyler wants to talk.
Tyler serves builders throughout the greater Houston market — including Katy, Cypress, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Pearland, The Woodlands, Conroe, Tomball, Humble, League City, Friendswood, and surrounding communities. He also works on statewide Texas projects.

Let's Talk About Your Next Build

Bring Tyler your project details — lot address, estimated build cost, target price point, and timeline. He'll identify the right spec program and help you build a buyer pipeline before the slab is poured.