How Do Ground-Up Construction Loans Work?

By Andrew J. Liersch III | August 3, 2026 |
Diagram showing how a ground-up construction loan is structured — land advance funded at closing, construction holdback released in draws as work completes, and an interest reserve carrying payments during the build. Slingshot Investments.

By Andrew J. Liersch III — Founder & CIO, Slingshot Investments. 10+ years in private lending, $500M+ funded. Former Wells Fargo Private Mortgage Banking, Bear Stearns, and Deloitte Consulting. Short answer: A ground-up construction loan funds a new build in two pieces. At closing, the lender advances against the land — the purchase price if you’re…

Read More

Bridge Loan Rates Just Hit a 12-Month Low: What Hard Money Costs in Mid-2026 (and Why San Diego Borrowers Are Paying Less)

By Andrew J. Liersch III | July 16, 2026
Line chart showing national average bridge loan rates declining from 10.59% in June 2025 to a 12-month low of 10.07% in June 2026, with San Diego averaging 9.67%. Slingshot Investments; data from Lightning Docs.

By Andrew J. Liersch III — Founder & CIO, Slingshot Investments. 10+ years in private lending, $500M+ funded. Former Wells Fargo Private Mortgage Banking, Bear Stearns, and Deloitte Consulting. If you’ve been waiting for private money to get cheaper before pulling the trigger on your next project, the data says the wait is over —…

Read More