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The lenders want what you want. They want you to be prepared for a smooth and successful project. Most lenders state in interviews with owner-builders: "They have to convince me they can do it."
Lenders are justifiably wary of the typical owner-builder candidate for a construction loan. Construction lenders find owner-builder's woefully unprepared on average to control a project and bring it in on budget or on schedule. Since it's the bank's money, the lender can't help but wonder why these same candidates can't make the effort to reduce project risk before they take out the loan. Most owner-builders leave too much to chance, and lenders know it. The lender wants to see that this is a no-risk proposition. Which is exactly what you want.
Remember, when you take out a construction loan, it's not your money. The bank lets you use their money in return for your commitment to repay them (with interest). They have to be sure you will repay, and in the event you don't, they want the house you build to have plenty of equity so that they can resell it and recoup their investment.
When you meet with a lender, you should address their concerns decisively. The leading concerns are:
