California Construction Loan Brokers Directory
Vetted brokers with honest notes on fees, specialties, and who serves your area.
Fewer than a dozen dedicated independent construction loan brokers operate statewide in California as of 2024-2025. Of the four brokers named for research, three are actively operating in California (Rick Gomez, Arroyo Consulting/HomeConstructionLoan.com, Tim Jarvis), while Dan Sherbondy is primarily Nevada-based and not a California construction specialist. Seven additional brokers were identified through research. Two major operators do not display NMLS numbers on their websites despite legal requirements. Owner-builder loans are exceptionally difficult to find — most lenders exclude them entirely. Rural/agricultural lending is served by only a handful of brokers. Borrowers should contact multiple brokers simultaneously and verify all licensing independently through NMLS Consumer Access and the California DRE/DFPI portals before engaging.
Key Facts
- Fewer than 12 dedicated independent construction loan brokers operate statewide in California as of 2024-2025
- Tim Jarvis (e-constructionloans.com) publishes the most transparent fee structure: 0.75-1.00 total points for conventional owner-occupied, 2.25 points for owner-builder (construction professionals only)
- Arroyo Consulting Group / HomeConstructionLoan.com claims to fund projects from $500K to $22M+ with up to 90% LTV and a 30-lender network
- Rick Gomez / California Construction Loans has no NMLS number displayed on its website despite legal requirement for California mortgage brokers
- Dan Sherbondy (Dan the Loan Man) is primarily a Nevada-based loan officer at Five Star Mortgage, not a California construction loan specialist
- Most conventional lenders in California explicitly exclude owner-builder projects where the homeowner acts as their own general contractor
- Hard money construction loans in California typically carry 10.99-14% interest rates and 2-4 total origination points
- Arroyo Consulting Group positions itself as a consulting firm rather than a licensed mortgage broker, avoiding traditional NMLS broker licensing
Decision Rules
If: Borrower needs owner-builder construction loan and is NOT a licensed contractor or construction professional
Then: Contact Pacific Prestige Properties (Irakli Ezugbaia, NMLS 2728634) and All California Mortgage (NMLS 888828) first — they have the fewest published restrictions on owner-builder programs
If: Borrower needs owner-builder construction loan and IS a licensed contractor, architect, foreman, or construction professional
Then: Tim Jarvis (e-constructionloans.com NMLS 235086) offers Program 3 at 2.25 total points, 7.5% rate, up to $2M — published terms make comparison easy
If: Property is agricultural, farm, ranch, vineyard, or large rural acreage
Then: Valor Lending Group (Hayden Madison, NMLS 2002743) is the only broker explicitly marketing agricultural construction; Tim Jarvis Program 6 also covers agricultural land
If: Property is in a USDA rural-eligible California area and borrower meets income limits
Then: Pacific Mortgage Group for USDA construction loan (0% down available); verify their California NMLS before engaging
If: Loan amount exceeds $3M for luxury custom home
Then: Arroyo Consulting Group / HomeConstructionLoan.com is the most experienced at $3-8M average deal size with up to 90% LTV; verify their regulatory status before engaging
If: Construction project is already underway and original lender has stopped funding (mid-construction rescue)
Then: Arroyo Consulting Group explicitly specializes in mid-construction rescue loans — this is their unique differentiator in the market
If: Broker does not display an NMLS number on their website
Then: Search nmlsconsumeraccess.org by company name and individual name before proceeding; absence of NMLS on marketing materials is a compliance violation under SAFE Act
If: Borrower is in Nevada or Las Vegas metro seeking construction loan
Then: Dan Sherbondy (NMLS 313289) is appropriate — he is Nevada-based with 57 positive Yelp reviews; for California projects verify he is actively originating there
California-Specific
- California mortgage brokers are required under the SAFE Act and California Finance Lenders Law / DRE regulations to display their NMLS ID in all advertising and on websites — absence is a compliance red flag
- California has two licensing pathways for mortgage brokers: DRE Real Estate Broker license (with MLO endorsement) and DFPI/CRMLA license — both require NMLS registration
- California's high land costs and construction costs mean most construction loans start at $500K+ — brokers with national minimums below this threshold may not be calibrated for the CA market
- Wildfire zone designation (CAL FIRE FHSZ maps) affects both contractor availability for draw inspections and lender willingness to fund in affected areas
- California owner-builder rules require licensed subcontractors for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC even when the owner acts as GC — lenders may require documentation of subcontractor agreements
- ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) construction loans are an emerging specialty in California due to SB 9 and related legislation — several brokers are beginning to market this explicitly
Common Misconceptions
Limitations & Gaps
- NMLS numbers could not be confirmed for Rick Gomez or Arroyo Consulting Group from any public source — this is a critical gap that prevents licensing verification
- Broker fee structures are not publicly disclosed by most operators — actual fees can only be obtained by direct contact and requesting a Loan Estimate
- Lender network sizes are almost entirely self-reported and unverified
- No independent consumer reviews exist for Rick Gomez, Tim Jarvis, or Arroyo Consulting Group — reputation signals are almost entirely absent for three of the four named brokers
- Rural property acceptance policies are poorly documented across all brokers — direct inquiry is required
- Loan minimums are rarely published — borrowers with smaller projects (under $300K) may find all these brokers inaccessible
- This directory does not include direct lenders (banks, credit unions) that originate construction loans without brokers — in some cases a direct lender relationship may be preferable
- BiggerPockets and Reddit discussions about California construction loans are dominated by complaints about inability to find financing — the true supply of active brokers may be even smaller than this research suggests
- FHA single-close construction loans are exceptionally rare in California — only one broker (Pacific Mortgage Group) explicitly mentioned FHA construction, and their licensing could not be verified
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