Serving Simcoe County · Muskoka · Rural Ontario

Vacant land and construction mortgages, explained and arranged.

Buying a piece of land or building your own home is exciting, right up until you find out most banks do not lend on either the way you would expect. Land loans and construction mortgages have their own rules, their own down payments, and their own timelines. I know how they work and which lenders actually do them, so

you can plan the project with real numbers instead of guesses.

25+
Years helping Ontario homeowners
100+
Lenders, from the big banks to private investors
40+
Five Star Google Reviews

Come talk to me if you are looking at

  • Buying vacant or raw land
  • Building a home from the ground up
  • Land now, build later
  • An owner built or contractor built project
  • Financing that pays out in stages as you build
  • A bank that would not touch the land or the build

Why land and building are different

A land loan and a build are not one mortgage, and neither is a regular one.

With a normal purchase, the lender hands over the money and you get the keys. Land and construction do not work that way. Vacant land is seen as riskier, so fewer lenders do it and they usually want a larger down payment. Building is different again. The money comes out in stages as the work gets done, not all at once, and each stage is usually checked before the next payment is released.


None of this is a reason not to do it. It just means you want someone who understands land loans and construction draws, can line up the right lender before you commit, and can tell you the real numbers up front. That is the part people most often get wrong on their own, and it is the part I handle every day.

Who this is for

The kind of projects I help with

Buying vacant land

A house sitting on anything from a couple of acres to a hundred, where the land is a big part of what you are buying.

Building a new home

A bit of land, maybe some animals or crops, that is not your full time living. These need lenders who understand the setup.

Land now, build later

No municipal water or sewer. Common in the country, and something certain lenders want documented before they say yes.alongside your lawyer to keep it moving.

Owner built projects

Beautiful to live in, trickier to finance. Non-standard construction narrows the list of lenders, but it does not close the door.

Contractor built homes

Barns, shops, drive sheds, second garages. Whether that value counts toward your mortgage depends entirely on the lender.

Serviced or unserviced lots

Whether the lot has hydro, water, and septic in place makes a real difference to what a lender will do.

What lenders look at

What matters when you finance land or a build

When I take a land or construction file to a lender, these are the points that come up almost every time. Knowing them early is how we plan the project properly.

Serviced or not

Many lenders cap the acreage they will value. Anything past that may not add to what you can borrow.

Zoning and use

Whether the road to the property is maintained all year, and who maintains it, can matter to an approval.

Your down payment

A barn or shop can be a real asset, but not every lender counts it. That difference can move your numbers.

The build plan and budget

A well and septic are normal in the country, but lenders often want proof they are in good working order.

Who is building it

Residential, rural, agricultural. How the land is zoned changes which lenders will even look at it.

The finished value

Construction lending leans on what the property will be worth once it is done, so the appraisal matters.

How it works

Simple, and I stay with you the whole way

STEP 1

Tell me about the project

The land, whether you are building now or later, who is doing the work, and your rough budget. That tells me a lot.

STEP 2

I line up the right lende

I go to the lenders who genuinely do land and construction, and set up financing that fits your timeline.

STEP 3

We fund the build and finish strong

The money comes out in stages as you build, and once the home is done it becomes a regular mortgage. I stay with you the whole way.

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Real situations we've helped with.

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Meet Anita

Financing is what I love doing

Hello, I’m Anita. Thanks for visiting me online. My team and I absolutely love arranging mortgage financing for people like you; it’s our passion. If you're looking to purchase or refinance your existing home or investment property, I specialize in providing customized solutions for my clients. You've come to the right place!


My goal is to help facilitate your financial goals and find the perfect funding solution to lower the overall cost of borrowing. I keep up to date on global economics to sight the trends that might affect the industry, so you don't have to. It’s always exciting to discuss strategies in our evolving economic climate. Times are tough, and with mortgage guidelines continually changing, it can be a challenge to obtain financing, even for someone with excellent credit and net worth!


I have been happily married for over 40 years, and we're proud parents of two children and eight beautiful grandchildren! I enjoy spending time with family, I'm an avid foodie, and enjoy travelling.

Areas served

Land and construction financing across the region

Home base is Orillia, and I arrange land and construction mortgages throughout Simcoe County, Muskoka, and rural Ontario. Most of the work happens by phone, email, and video, so where you are building is rarely a barrier.

Muskoka Gravenhurst Bracebridge Huntsville Orillia Lake Simcoe Lake Couchiching Georgian Bay Kawartha Lakes Severn Ramara Washago Simcoe County Cottage Country
All of BC & Alberta

Common questions

Vacant land and construction mortgage questions

  • Can I get a mortgage on vacant land?

    Often yes, though it is harder than a regular home purchase. Fewer lenders do land, and they usually want a bigger down payment, especially if the lot is raw and unserviced. A serviced building lot is easier. Tell me about the land and I will let you know what is realistic.

  • How does a construction mortgage work?

    Instead of getting all the money at once, the funds come out in stages, called draws, as the build reaches certain points. Each stage is usually inspected before the next payment is released. Once the home is finished, the construction mortgage converts to a regular one.

  • How much down payment do I need for land or a build?

    More than a regular purchase, as a rule. Vacant land and construction are seen as higher risk, so lenders ask for more down. The exact amount depends on the land, the project, and the lender, so let me look at your specifics before you plan around a number.

  • Can I build the house myself?

    Sometimes, yes. Being your own builder, or your own general contractor, is allowed by a smaller group of lenders and comes with more paperwork and oversight. It can absolutely be done, it just needs the right lender lined up from the start.

  • Can I buy the land now and build later?

    Yes, and lots of people do. Just know it is two pieces of financing: a land loan now, and a construction mortgage when you are ready to build. I can help you plan both so the second step is not a surprise.

  • What happens to the mortgage once the house is built?

    Once the build is complete and signed off, the construction mortgage usually converts into a normal mortgage on the finished home. From that point it works like any other mortgage, with regular payments.

  • My bank would not finance the land or the build. Can you help?

    Often, yes. Many banks simply do not do land or construction, so a no from them is not the end of the road. These are specialized files, and knowing the lenders who actually do them is a big part of what I do.

Everything, in one place

Other situations I handle

Each of these has its own page that walks through the details in plain language.

RESIDENTIAL

Buying, renewing and refinancing

    PROPERTY TYPES

    Rural, farm and recreational

      COMPLEX SOLUTIONS

      Trickier situations

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        Buying land or building?

        Let's get the financing right first.

        Talk to me before you buy the lot or sign the build contract. A short call now gives you real numbers to plan around, and there is no cost to find out where you stand.

        Call or text 705·325·7283 · 773 Atherley Road, Orillia, ON

        Articles To keep you informed

        Resources

        By Anita Groves August 26, 2026
        When you’re buying a home, two terms often cause confusion: deposit and down payment . While they’re related, they serve very different purposes in the homebuying process. Here’s what you need to know. What Is a Deposit? A deposit is the money you provide when you make an offer on a property. Think of it as a show of good faith that proves you’re serious about purchasing. How it works : Typically, you provide a certified cheque or bank draft that your real estate brokerage holds in trust. If your offer is accepted, the deposit remains in trust until the deal moves forward. If negotiations fall through, the deposit is refunded. Connection to your down payment : Once the sale is finalized, your deposit becomes part of your total down payment. Why it matters : The amount is negotiable, but a larger deposit can make your offer more attractive in a competitive market. Keep in mind, however, that if you back out after conditions are removed, you risk losing your deposit. What Is a Down Payment? Your down payment is the amount you contribute toward the purchase price of your home when securing a mortgage. Minimum requirement : In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% of the home’s purchase price. Anything less than 20% requires mortgage default insurance. Sources : Down payments can come from your savings, the sale of another property, RRSP withdrawals (through the Home Buyers’ Plan), a gift from family, or even borrowed funds. Example: How They Work Together Imagine you’re buying a $400,000 home with a 10% down payment ($40,000). When you make your offer, you provide a $10,000 deposit . Once conditions are met, that deposit is transferred to your lawyer’s trust account. At closing, you add the remaining $30,000 to complete your full down payment. The lender provides the rest—$360,000—through your mortgage. The Bottom Line Your deposit shows commitment and secures your offer, while your down payment is what makes the mortgage possible. Together, they work hand in hand to get you into your new home. 📞 If you’d like clarity on deposits, down payments, or any other part of the mortgage process, let’s connect. I’d be happy to walk you through it step by step.
        By Anita Groves August 19, 2026
        Saving for a down payment is one of the biggest challenges first-time buyers face. What many don’t realize is that the Canadian government offers a program designed to make it easier—the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) . This program allows you to withdraw money from your RRSP to help purchase your first home, without immediate tax consequences. Here’s how it works: Who Qualifies? To be eligible, you generally need to be a first-time home buyer. In practical terms, this means you must not have owned a home in the past four years, nor lived in a property owned by your spouse or partner during that time. There are also special allowances if you’re living with a disability or helping a relative with a disability. In these cases, you can use the HBP even if you’ve owned a home more recently. How Much Can You Withdraw? Under the program, you can access up to $35,000 from your RRSP as an individual. Couples can combine their withdrawals for a total of $70,000 . These funds must have been in your RRSP for at least 90 days before you take them out. Paying It Back The HBP isn’t “free money”—it’s an interest-free loan from your own retirement savings. You’ll have 15 years to repay the full amount back into your RRSP, starting in the second year after withdrawal. Each year, the CRA will send you an HBP Statement of Account outlining how much needs to be repaid. If you don’t make your repayment in a given year, that amount will be added to your taxable income. Why It’s a Smart Strategy The HBP can give first-time buyers a powerful boost toward homeownership. It helps you put together a larger down payment, which can reduce your mortgage amount and monthly payments. Just remember: it’s important to balance the short-term benefit of homeownership with the long-term impact on your retirement savings. Next Steps Thinking about using the Home Buyers’ Plan? Let’s sit down and review whether it’s the right move for you. Together, we can create a strategy that gets you into your first home while keeping your future financial goals on track. 📞 Reach out anytime—it would be a pleasure to guide you through the process.
        By Anita Groves August 12, 2026
        When it comes to selling your home, most people think the first call should be to a real estate agent. But the smartest first step often isn’t with your agent—it’s with an independent mortgage professional. Why? Because your mortgage plays a bigger role in your bottom line than most people realize. Planning to Buy After You Sell If selling means you’ll also be purchasing another property, you’ll want to know exactly where you stand financially before listing. Mortgage rules change regularly, and qualifying once doesn’t guarantee you’ll qualify again. Getting a pre-approval in place ensures you know what you can afford and eliminates surprises later. On top of that, reviewing the terms of your existing mortgage could uncover options you may not have considered. For example, porting your mortgage instead of arranging a brand-new one could save you thousands. Selling Without Buying Even if you aren’t planning to buy right away, there’s still an important step: understanding the cost of breaking your mortgage. Unless your mortgage is open, penalties apply—and they can be significant. By reviewing the numbers with a mortgage professional, you might find that simply adjusting your timeline could reduce or even avoid costly fees. Navigating Life Changes In situations like a marital breakdown, it can feel like selling the family home is the only path forward. But that’s not always the case. With the right guidance and a legal separation agreement, one spouse may be able to buy out the other, keeping the home and providing stability for everyone involved. The Bottom Line Selling your property is more than just putting a sign on the lawn—it’s about creating a financial plan that protects your equity and positions you for the best possible outcome. Before you take the leap, let’s sit down and review your options. 📞 If you’re ready to talk strategy and make sure you get top dollar for your property, I’d be happy to connect anytime.
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        Phone or Text: 705-325-7283

        TF Phone or Fax: 877-256-7283

        CONTACT US


        Contact Us

        GET IN TOUCH


        We're committed to helping you in any way we can. Leave us a note and we'll get in touch with you shortly.

        Phone or Text: 705-325-7283

        TF Phone or Fax: 877-256-7283