Salt Lake City’s most coveted residential land is scarce — and that scarcity is what makes custom building here so meaningful. The East Bench, hugging the base of the Wasatch Mountains above downtown, offers a limited supply of custom homesites and teardown-and-rebuild opportunities where buyers can build estates with panoramic mountain and valley views, canyon access, and architectural distinction that simply cannot be replicated in a resale purchase. The Avenues and Capitol Hill offer urban infill opportunities for buyers who want walkability, character, and proximity to the University of Utah or downtown. And the canyon corridors east of the city provide access to land that feels genuinely remote while remaining minutes from one of the Mountain West’s most dynamic urban centers.
A One-Time Close Construction Loan is the most efficient path for buyers who want to build in Salt Lake City — combining land
acquisition, construction financing, and permanent mortgage into a single transaction with one closing and one rate lock.
I specialize in helping Tucson homebuyers navigate the construction loan process with clarity and confidence. One closing, one loan, one point of contact throughout.
A One-Time Close Construction Loan — sometimes called a
Construction-to-Permanent loan — combines three phases of financing into a single loan product:
Land Acquisition — Financing for the purchase of your Salt Lake City lot or teardown property, whether on the Bench, in The Avenues, or in one of the canyon-adjacent corridors east of the city
Construction Phase — Draw-based financing released as your builder reaches defined project milestones throughout the build
Permanent Mortgage — Automatic conversion to your long-term home loan upon completion — no second closing, no re-qualification, no additional closing costs
Unlike traditional two-close construction financing, a One-Time Close loan locks your interest rate at origination, protecting you from rate movement during a build that may take 12 to 24 months, and
dramatically reduces the complexity and cost of getting into your finished home.
Key Features:
Single closing — one set of closing costs
Rate locked at origination for the life of the loan
Interest-only payments during construction phase
Automatic conversion to permanent financing at completion
Draw management support throughout the build
Available at Jumbo-level amounts for Salt Lake City luxury builds
30–45 day closing timeline for qualified borrowers pre-construction
For builds in the $600K-$1.5M range
Fixed or adjustable permanent rate options
Applicable to Avenues infill lots, Sugar House teardowns, and canyon-corridor homesites
New primary residence builds with approved licensed builders
For luxury custom builds above $806,500
Ideal for East Bench homesites, Emigration Place lots, and canyon-adjacent custom builds
Portfolio and non-QM options for complex income profiles including Silicon Slopes equity compensation
Financing aligned with the scale and timeline of Salt Lake City luxury construction
Designed for Salt Lake City medical professionals building a primary residence
Low-to-zero down payment with no PMI
Student loan flexibility in underwriting
Ideal for University of Utah Health physicians who want to build on the Bench or in The Avenues rather than purchase resale
East Bench — Salt Lake City's premier custom build destination. Infill lots and teardown-and-rebuild opportunities on the Bench allow buyers to build custom estates with panoramic valley and mountain views, direct Wasatch trail access, and canyon proximity that simply cannot be found in a resale purchase. Builds here regularly require Jumbo One-Time Close Construction financing for the most expansive projects.
The Avenues — Urban infill opportunities in one of Salt Lake City's most sought-after neighborhoods. Teardown-and-rebuild projects on established Avenues lots allow buyers to construct a custom, energy-efficient home in a neighborhood with irreplaceable character, walkability, and proximity to City Creek Canyon and University of Utah Health.
Capitol Hill — An emerging luxury construction market perched above downtown with sweeping valley and mountain views. New luxury townhomes and custom single-family projects are actively underway. The combination of views, downtown access, and architectural ambition makes Capitol Hill one of the city's most interesting build corridors.
Canyon Rim and Emigration Canyon — East-side properties backing to Parleys Historic Nature Park and Emigration Canyon offer the opportunity to build custom homes with mountain settings, private land, and immediate trail access — while remaining within the city limits and easy reach of University of Utah Health and downtown.
Sugar House — An established neighborhood with teardown opportunities and infill lots suitable for custom builds at more accessible price points. Strong long-term appreciation, a walkable corridor, and parks make Sugar House a practical choice for buyers who want a custom home without the Bench price premium.
Experienced in construction-to-permanent financing for Salt Lake City's unique and scarce build opportunities
Jumbo One-Time Close programs for East Bench and canyon-adjacent estate builds
Understanding of hillside lot, canyon-adjacent, and urban infill property underwriting considerations
Draw management expertise to keep your build on schedule and on budget
Single point of contact from land purchase through move-in
20+ years of experience — NMLS #235295
Qualified Builder Required — Your builder must be licensed, insured, and approved through the loan underwriting process. Salt Lake City has an active custom builder market with experienced contractors who regularly work in the Bench and Avenues build environment.
Detailed Construction Plans — Lenders require full architectural plans, building permits, and a construction budget. For luxury Salt Lake City builds — especially hillside and canyon-adjacent properties — custom appraisals are completed based on the planned finished value.
Strong Borrower Profile — Income, credit, and reserve requirements are similar to a standard Jumbo or conforming purchase loan, depending on build size and program.
Realistic Timeline — Most custom home builds run 12-24 months. One-Time Close loans are structured to accommodate these timelines, with interest-only payments during construction protecting your cash flow.
Pre-Qualification — We review your income, assets, target parcel, and build plans to identify the right program and structure.
Builder Approval — Your licensed Salt Lake City builder is reviewed and approved as part of underwriting.
Single Closing — One closing covers land, construction financing, and permanent loan — before construction begins.
Construction Draws — Funds are released as your builder reaches milestones. I coordinate throughout.
Completion & Conversion — Your loan automatically converts to permanent financing at completion. No second closing, no re-qualification.
Traditional construction loans require two closings — each with its own costs, rate negotiation, and qualification process. A One-Time Close loan eliminates the second closing, locks your permanent rate upfront, and converts automatically at completion.
Yes. The loan covers the purchase price of the existing structure, demolition costs, and full construction of the new home — all under one rate lock from acquisition.
Yes. Jumbo One-Time Close programs are available for East Bench builds, canyon-adjacent properties, and other Salt Lake City locations where land costs and construction budgets push total project costs above $806,500.
Yes. Hillside and canyon-adjacent lots are eligible, though underwriting considers slope, access, utilities, and comparable finished values. These are scenarios I work with specifically in the Salt Lake City market.
Building your custom home in Salt Lake City starts with the right financing foundation. Let’s talk through your land, your builder, and your vision.
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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