The Premier Private Money Lender for Louisiana (New Construction) Real Estate Investors

Lima One finances ground-up residential construction projects across Louisiana, including single-family builds, infill development, and multi-unit properties up to four units. Whether your strategy is build-to-sell or build-to-rent, our New Construction and Build2Rent® loan programs can be structured to fit your project type, timeline, and exit. We specialize in vertical construction financing on infill, shovel-ready, fully entitled land, from individual lots in Baton Rouge's growing suburbs to small-scale development projects in the New Orleans metro.

For repeat borrowers, Lima One can typically close a new construction loan within a few weeks. Investors who complete borrower underwriting and experience verification before identifying a property — and who provide all requested documentation at the time of loan submission — can move even faster. When it comes to closing costs, our team will walk you through all fees and structure upfront so there are no surprises at the closing table. Getting pre-qualified before you're under contract on a lot is the best way to compress your timeline and put yourself in a position to move quickly once the right opportunity appears.

Lima One's New Construction loans offer 13, 19, and 24-month term options for different project timelines. During the construction period, you pay interest only on funds as they're drawn, keeping your carrying costs low while work is underway. Interest rates are competitive and tied to your credit profile, liquidity, and project experience. Once construction is complete, our construction-to-permanent loan options let you convert directly to permanent financing without a second closing.

Lima One manages the draw process entirely in-house through our dedicated construction management team. As you complete work on your project, you submit a draw request, and our team reviews the completed scope and releases funds in as little as one business day. This streamlined construction process keeps your project funded at every phase and eliminates the cash flow delays that can derail timelines.

No. Lima One takes a practical approach to loan approval that's designed for real estate investors, not traditional homebuyers. We base our approvals on your credit score, liquidity, and investment experience instead of your personal income or tax returns. This means investors with self-employment income, complex entity structures, or multiple active projects can pre-qualify based on the strength of their track record and project fundamentals.

At the end of your construction loan, you have several exit paths, each with no prepayment penalty. If your strategy is build-to-sell, you can pay off the loan from sale proceeds and capture your profit. If you plan to hold the property as a rental in Louisiana, Lima One's Build2Rent® program lets you refinance into a long-term permanent loan with discounted origination fees and no seasoning requirements. If you need additional time to lease up the property or finalize your business plan, a Lima One Bridge loan can provide that flexibility, all without starting over with a new lender or going through a new loan application process.