Eugene’s case for building rather than buying is structural, not circumstantial. The city’s Urban Growth Boundary — currently being expanded through the Clear Lake UGB addition of 924 acres on the western fringe — is a formal land-use constraint that limits developable land within city limits and creates genuine scarcity in the close-in neighborhoods where demand is strongest. North Gilham, Fairmount, South Hills, and College Hill are all established, largely built-out neighborhoods. When a property in any of these areas comes to market, it faces competition from a pool of well-qualified buyers who have been watching that neighborhood for months or years. For buyers who want the specific neighborhood character, view exposure, or lot size that the existing inventory rarely produces, building on an available parcel — urban infill, a lot split, or a site in the adjacent Springfield and greater Lane County new construction market — is the more reliable path to the home they actually want.
The Eugene-Springfield metro’s most active production builder in 2025 and 2026 is D.R. Horton, whose Marcola Meadows community in Springfield delivers new construction by the McKenzie River — marketed specifically for its proximity to the University of Oregon,
PeaceHealth RiverBend, and the Eugene-Springfield commercial corridor. The East Mountain Community in Eugene delivers townhomes and single-family homes with valley views and 9-foot ceilings at price points starting below $500,000. For custom builds, Eugene’s South Hills market produces architect-designed homes on forested parcels that are commissioned rather than purchased — single-story or multi-story Northwest Contemporary designs that respond to site, views, and the relationship to adjacent protected forest in ways that no production builder will ever replicate. Our One-Time Close Construction Mortgage Loan serves all of these scenarios: production community builds, semi-custom selections, and fully custom architect-directed projects on private parcels throughout Lane County.
A One-Time Close Construction Mortgage Loan combines construction financing and permanent end-loan financing into a single transaction — one qualification, one closing, one rate lock. You close before construction begins, and your loan converts automatically to a permanent mortgage when the certificate of occupancy is issued.
How the three phases work:
Construction Phase — After closing, funds are disbursed to your builder in draws as construction milestones are verified. You pay interest only on amounts disbursed.
Conversion — When your certificate of occupancy is issued, the loan converts automatically to your permanent mortgage — no second application, no second appraisal, no re-qualification, no second set of closing costs.
Repayment Phase — You begin making standard principal and interest payments on your permanent mortgage.
Key Features:
Single closing — one set of closing costs, one qualification process
Rate locked at closing — protected through Eugene's 12 to 18 month typical custom build timeline
No re-qualification at conversion — your approval holds regardless of market changes
Draw schedule aligned with your builder's construction milestones
Available in conforming, jumbo, and physician program tiers
Applicable to production communities, semi-custom builds, and fully custom architect-directed projects
For buyers building in the Eugene-Springfield production market — D.R. Horton’s Marcola Meadows in Springfield, East Mountain Community in Eugene, and infill new construction throughout Lane County — at loan amounts within the 2026 conforming limit. Straightforward documentation, competitive terms, and proactive draw management.
For buyers commissioning custom builds in Eugene’s South Hills, on ridge-line parcels with valley views, or on rural Lane County acreage where land plus construction exceeds the conforming limit. Higher documentation standards apply; we structure the income and asset file specifically for your project and identify the right portfolio lender for your loan characteristics.
For buyers working with Lane County custom builders — including Arbor South Architecture, Bedortha Brokerage, and independent custom contractors operating in South Hills and rural Lane County — on architect-designed primary residences. We work directly with the builder and architect team to establish a draw schedule, verify Oregon CCB licensing, and ensure draw-to-milestone alignment throughout construction.
For PeaceHealth RiverBend physicians and UO clinical faculty
commissioning custom builds in Eugene’s South Hills or on forested Lane County parcels — rather than competing for limited existing inventory in their target neighborhoods — our physician One-Time Close program combines no-PMI physician loan features with construction financing in a single transaction.
D.R. Horton — Marcola Meadows (Springfield, by the McKenzie River)
D.R. Horton's Marcola Meadows community in Springfield delivers new construction homes adjacent to the McKenzie River, marketed specifically to buyers who want proximity to the University of Oregon, PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend, and the Eugene-Springfield corridor without the higher price points of Eugene's established close-in neighborhoods. The community's riverside setting and D.R. Horton's volume-builder efficiency make it one of the most active new construction environments in Lane County. Floor plans range from open-concept single-level designs to two-story family homes with optional customization packages.
East Mountain Community (Eugene)
The East Mountain Community in Eugene delivers townhomes and single-family homes with valley views, 9-foot ceilings on the main level, 8-foot doors, and gourmet kitchen configurations including 36-inch cooktops, quartz countertops, and walk-in pantries. Community proximity to Interstate 5 and the University of Oregon makes it accessible to both the PeaceHealth campus and the UO academic corridor. Pricing starts below $500,000, making this one of the more accessible new construction options in Eugene proper.
Meadowview (Eugene — near Fern Ridge)
The Meadowview community is situated in a setting surrounded by protected wetlands and within walking distance of local parks and trails, with convenient access to the Fern Ridge Trail. New
construction here provides a naturalist residential context that appeals to buyers drawn to Eugene's outdoor and sustainability culture — a distinct demographic that values the combination of new
construction quality and immediate access to Lane County's trail and wetland system.
Urban Infill and South Hills Custom Build Parcels
Eugene's Urban Growth Boundary constraints and the City's active pre-approved ADU program have made infill development — lot splits, infill parcels in established neighborhoods, and ADU additions to existing properties — a significant construction pathway. For buyers who have located an infill lot in North Gilham, Fairmount, or South Hills and are commissioning a custom home on it, our One-Time Close Construction program handles the land acquisition and build financing in a single transaction. For South Hills forested parcel builds — where the architect-designed home is responding to site, views, and the forest canopy — we work directly with the design and construction team to align the draw schedule with a build process that is inherently more complex than production construction.
One-Time Close expertise across conforming, jumbo, and physician program tiers
Established working relationships with D.R. Horton's Springfield operations and knowledge of Marcola Meadows' timeline and draw requirements
Draw management throughout construction — we coordinate with your builder to ensure milestone-to-disbursement flow is smooth
Rate lock at close — protection through Eugene's 12 to 18 month custom build cycle
South Hills and forested parcel experience — we understand the complexity of appraising and funding custom builds in Eugene's most distinctive residential landscape
Physician One-Time Close for PeaceHealth physicians building rather than competing for existing inventory
Urban Growth Boundary familiarity — we understand how Eugene's land-use constraints affect buildable parcel values and appraisal methodology
Ryan Lehrman, NMLS #235295
Credit: Minimum 680 for conventional programs; 700–720 for jumbo construction tiers
Income: Fully documented — W-2, academic contracts, ORP contributions, PeaceHealth employment agreements, and physician offer letters all considered by program tier
Down Payment: Typically 5%–10% for conforming; higher for jumbo; physician programs may allow lower down payments
Builder Requirements: Oregon CCB (Construction Contractors Board) license required; approved construction contract with verified draw schedule required before closing
Pre-qualification — Before you finalize a builder contract or acquire a lot, we assess your income, assets, and construction budget to identify the right program tier and maximum loan amount.
Builder and contract review — We confirm your builder's Oregon CCB license, review the construction contract, and establish a draw schedule aligned with the construction timeline — whether D.R. Horton's production schedule or a custom builder's project-specific milestone plan.
Single closing — We close the loan before construction begins. Your rate is locked. Financing is secured.
Draw management — We process draw requests as your builder completes verified milestones, coordinating directly with the builder and inspection process throughout construction.
Automatic conversion — At certificate of occupancy, your loan converts to your permanent mortgage. No second application. No second closing.
Custom builds on forested South Hills parcels have timelines that are inherently difficult to predict precisely — site prep, foundation engineering on hillside lots, the build cycle itself, and the final finish work can stretch a project from 12 to 18 months or longer. A two-loan construction approach exposes the borrower to re-qualification at the end of that timeline — at whatever rates and qualification standards exist then. A One-Time Close locks the rate at the start, eliminates re-qualification entirely, and allows the builder to work through the complexity of the site without the borrower facing financing uncertainty at conversion. For a $1.2 million South Hills custom build, the financial protection this provides is substantial.
Yes. Our physician One-Time Close Construction programs allow qualification using a signed PeaceHealth employment contract or offer letter, with closing required within 90 days of the employment start date. For physicians who are relocating to Eugene to join PeaceHealth RiverBend and who have identified a South Hills parcel or an infill lot in North Gilham or Fairmount for a custom build, this structure allows them to close on the construction loan and begin building concurrently with starting their clinical position — without waiting for six months of pay history.
In most cases, yes. If the borrower has not yet acquired the lot, we can structure the construction loan to cover both the lot purchase and construction costs in a single transaction. This is particularly useful for buyers pursuing infill parcels in North Gilham or Fairmount, South Hills forested lots, or rural Lane County acreage where the land acquisition and build commissioning are being negotiated simultaneously. The lot and construction costs together must fall within the program's maximum loan amount, and the lot must already be identified and priced at application.
Eugene's UGB creates structural land scarcity within city limits that influences how appraisers value buildable parcels and completed custom builds in close-in neighborhoods. A forested South Hills lot, an infill parcel in Fairmount, or a lot in North Gilham may carry a land value premium that reflects this scarcity directly. We work with appraisers who understand Lane County's land-use context and who can support an appraisal methodology that accurately reflects local market conditions for custom-built properties — rather than defaulting to cost-based approaches that may undervalue the site.
Building your new home in Eugene starts here. Let’s talk through your builder, your site, and your timeline.
Originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, I moved to Phoenix to attend Arizona State University and have proudly called Phoenix home ever since.
My journey into the mortgage industry began with a friend’s encouragement, who saw how my energy and people-first mindset could make a difference. He was right — I found my calling.
I’ve always embraced what makes me different. With ADHD as my secret weapon, I thrive in fast-paced, detail-heavy environments. I’ve built my career on clear communication, creative problem-solving, and putting clients first, always.
Outside of work, my greatest motivation is my wife and three amazing kids. I’d be honored to help guide you through your lending journey with care, clarity, and commitment.
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