Easy Street Capital raises construction leverage to boost builder capacity
Dateline: Austin, Texas — Sept. 03, 2025. A private lender announced immediate changes to its new construction lending that increase the maximum leverage available to experienced builders. Qualified borrowers with a proven track record can now access up to 90% Loan-to-Cost (LTC) and up to 75% Loan-to-Value (LTV) under the lender’s EasyBuild program, an increase from prior caps of 85% LTC and 70% LTV.
What changed and who it affects
The new parameters apply immediately to builders who have completed at least three construction projects. The change raises the amount of project cost and value that the lender is willing to finance, lowering the upfront equity required from experienced developers and investors.
Why the lender made the move
The update is framed as a response to strong demand for flexible construction capital and a worsening national housing shortfall. Recent market analysis cited in the announcement points to a nationwide deficit of roughly 4.7 million homes, which the lender says increases pressure on residential supply and motivates expanded financing options.
How the EasyBuild program is positioned
The program is designed to accelerate funding for both single-family homes and multifamily units, enabling qualified borrowers to take on larger-scale projects with less initial equity. The lender emphasized streamlined underwriting, tailored loan structures, and competitive pricing as continuing priorities for the product.
Eligibility and documentation
To qualify for the enhanced leverage, borrowers must demonstrate a proven track record of at least three completed construction deals. Loans will be structured to reflect each project’s scope, location, and risk profile, and approvals will remain subject to standard due diligence, collateral valuation, and compliance checks.
Immediate market implications
By raising leverage limits, the program changes the capital stack for experienced builders, potentially freeing up sponsor equity for additional projects or allowing faster starts where equity constraints previously delayed work. Industry observers note that higher LTC and LTV thresholds reduce the buyer’s cash requirements during construction but may shift more risk onto the lender and its investors.
Regional financing backdrop
The announcement arrives amid a busy period for construction and project financing in the region and nationwide. Recent months have seen sizable construction financings for energy storage projects and large affordable housing loans, underscoring active capital flows into development despite broader market uncertainties. Those transactions illustrate continued appetite from banks and private lenders for well-structured construction credits.
Program availability and company profile
The enhanced EasyBuild terms are available now through the lender’s national platform. The company operates from an Austin headquarters and describes itself as a private lending firm that provides fast, flexible financing tailored for real estate investors with a nationwide footprint and a focus on personalized service.
What this means for builders and communities
For experienced builders, the higher leverage can translate into faster project starts, larger portfolios, and reduced reliance on costly mezzanine debt or additional equity partners. For communities, the intended outcome is quicker delivery of housing stock that could help chip away at the current supply gap — though the practical impact will depend on underwriting discipline, market demand, and construction timelines.
Bottom line
The lender’s move to raise EasyBuild limits to 90% LTC and 75% LTV for seasoned builders is a notable change in construction finance terms. It reflects growing demand for adaptable capital to tackle housing shortages and signals that private lenders remain willing to expand risk capacity for qualified sponsors who can demonstrate a track record of delivery.