Land financing
Land loans
For buyers financing vacant land — to build, hold, or invest — not a finished home.
Land loans review the parcel, the intended use, and the borrower differently than a mortgage on an existing house. Down payments are typically larger than on a home loan.
Outside Virginia, Rockhouse Mortgage arranges business-purpose loans on non-owner-occupied investment property only.
How it works
A land loan finances vacant land for purchase or refinance. Lenders look at the parcel, access, zoning, and how you plan to use it, along with credit and reserves.
Land loans need a larger down payment than a home loan. We do not quote a percentage here because that can trigger consumer disclosure rules on owner-occupied pages.
Owner-occupied or personal-use land purchases are available in Virginia only. Outside Virginia, Rockhouse Mortgage arranges investment and business-purpose land financing only.
What lenders look at
- Credit profile
- Reserves and how the purchase will be funded after closing
- Property review: access, utilities, zoning, and marketability
- Intended use — personal build site versus investment hold or development
Eligible properties
- Vacant land and lots
- Parcels being purchased or refinanced without a completed dwelling, depending on the program
Where land loans are available
If you plan to live on the land or use it for personal purposes, that is a consumer land loan and is available in Virginia only.
If the land is an investment or business-purpose purchase, financing may be available in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.
Want help comparing programs?
Rockhouse Mortgage compares wholesale lender programs for the scenario in front of us. Start with a call or an online application.
Frequently asked questions
Can I finance land and construction together?
Sometimes. Construction programs may include the lot. Other times the land is financed first and the construction loan comes later. It depends on the project and the lender.
Why is the down payment larger than a home loan?
Vacant land is a different collateral type. Lenders typically require more borrower equity than they would on an existing house. The exact amount depends on the program and intended use.
Do you finance raw land with no utilities?
Some programs will consider raw or unimproved land; others want utilities, access, or a nearer-term build plan. Property review is one of the main factors.
I live outside Virginia. Can I still buy a lot to build my home?
Owner-occupied or personal-use land purchases are Virginia only. Outside Virginia we can discuss investment or business-purpose land financing only.
Talk through a land purchase
Tell us where the parcel is and whether you will live on it, build on it, or hold it as an investment.
703-999-0903Loan programs, rates, fees, terms, and eligibility requirements are subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to credit, income, asset, property, and underwriting approval. This information is for educational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend.
Rockhouse Mortgage, LLC · NMLS #2469785 · Harry Hager, NMLS #647108 · Licensed by the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions · Outside Virginia, business-purpose investment property loans only · Equal Housing Opportunity