Get Up To 100% Financing & *$50K ExtraWhen You Build With Ash Construction
Custom homes on your land, teardown rebuilds, room additions, and kitchen and bathroom remodels across Central Arkansas, financed through FHA, VA, Conventional, Jumbo, and 2nd Mortgage Construction programs. Land you already own can count toward your down payment.
How Do You Finance A Custom Home Or Remodel With Ash Construction?
Ash Construction is a registered builder with our bank, so Central Arkansas homeowners can finance a new custom home, the land under it, or a major remodel through BuildBuyRefi.com, with up to 100% financing available on eligible programs.
The builder review is already finished. Builders tend to stall when a buyer brings in a lender they have never worked with, because it means another round of financial paperwork, approval calls, and a new draw process. With Ash already approved, the only approval left is yours, which improves and speeds up the closing process.
Ash Construction has built and remodeled homes in Central Arkansas since 2007, working out of Jacksonville within a 60-mile radius of Little Rock. Ash builds new custom homes from the ground up, and also handles room additions, whole-home renovations, and kitchen and bathroom remodels.
That range matters for the financing. A new home and a remodel need different loans, and we offer both in-house: construction loans for new builds, and a 2nd Mortgage Construction loan for homeowners who want to add on without giving up a low first mortgage rate.
Ash Construction clients work directly with Larry Barfoot, Top Rated® Vice President, NMLS ID# 450896, BuildBuyRefi.com, powered by The Federal Savings Bank, for eligibility, loan structure, and closing.New Construction Loan Specialist | Construction Loan Specialist
Scotty Howard And Ash Construction, Building In Central Arkansas Since 2007
Ash Construction Company LLC is owned by Scotty Howard and based in Jacksonville, Arkansas. The company reports more than 350 completed projects across more than 20 cities and describes itself as locally owned and operated, and licensed, bonded, and insured in Arkansas.
What Ash emphasizes most is how a project is run. Every client is assigned one project lead who walks the property, builds the estimate, coordinates the trades, answers the calls, and walks the finished work at the end. There is no sales handoff and no call center.
Ash's client reviews describe that from a long view. One family had Scotty build their first home in 2016 and came back ten years later for their second. Others point to steady updates, help finding cost-effective options without giving up quality, and close attention to lumber costs and subcontractor billing while material prices were swinging.
Ash provides a written, line-item estimate before work begins and backs its work with a one-year workmanship warranty, as stated by the builder. On a financed build, that detail does more than set expectations. It becomes the build contract, plans, and specifications that the appraisal and the draw schedule rely on.
Custom Home Builder And Home Remodeling Contractor In Central Arkansas
Ash works across six kinds of projects. Each one points to a different financing path, so knowing which project you are planning narrows the loan options quickly.
New Custom Homes Built On Your Land
Ash starts with a site evaluation of topography, soil, setbacks, utilities, and drainage, then works with licensed architects and engineers on plans for your parcel. Ash builds homes from about 1,600 to well over 8,000 square feet.
How It Is FinancedConstruction loan, with land equity appliedTeardown And Rebuild
For an aging house on a lot worth keeping, Ash can remove the old structure and build a new custom home in an established neighborhood with mature trees and utilities already in place.
How It Is FinancedOne-Time Close, Hybrid, Two-Time Close, Jumbo, second home, or investment constructionRoom Additions And Second Stories
Primary suites, family rooms, full or partial second stories, sunrooms, garage conversions, and in-law suites, with brick and roofing matched to the existing home and permits handled by Ash.
How It Is Financed2nd Mortgage Construction loanWhole-Home Renovations
Every room coordinated under one schedule. Older homes are often opened to the studs so wiring, plumbing, and HVAC get replaced while the walls are open.
How It Is Financed2nd Mortgage Construction or renovation loanKitchen Remodeling
Full gut remodels, layout changes and islands, cabinet replacement or refacing, and countertops in granite, quartz, quartzite, or butcher block.
How It Is Financed2nd Mortgage Construction or renovation loanBathroom Remodeling
Primary bath remodels, walk-in and tub-to-shower conversions, accessibility upgrades, and new bathrooms, built over a waterproofing system inspected before tile goes in.
How It Is Financed2nd Mortgage Construction or renovation loanAsh also builds decks, covered patios, outdoor kitchens, and screened porches, and periodically builds spec homes that can be bought during construction while finish selections are still open.
Use Your Land Equity Toward The Down Payment On An Ash Construction Home
Most Ash custom homes start with a piece of land. Some buyers already own it and some are still looking. Both can work in one financing plan.
Already Own Your Land
Land owned free and clear can be applied toward the loan-to-value, which in qualifying scenarios reduces or removes the cash down payment.
Still Paying On The Land
An existing land loan can be paid off at closing and rolled into the construction loan, so the land and the home end up in one mortgage.
Still Looking For Land
The land purchase and the build can close together. Ash offers to walk prospective lots before purchase so you know the site work involved before you commit.
What We Can Finance
- New Ash Construction homes on land the borrower owns or buys at closing
- Land purchase and construction combined in one loan
- Land equity applied toward the down payment, with any land loan paid off at closing
- Primary residences, second homes, and investment properties, in qualifying scenarios
- Larger custom homes through Jumbo construction up to $4.5 million, case by case
- Additions and remodels on a home you own, through our 2nd Mortgage Construction loan or renovation programs
What We Cannot Finance
- Self-build or owner-as-contractor projects. A licensed registered builder has to be on the file
- Land owned by someone else that is not being transferred to the borrower, including informal family land arrangements
- Work left out of the build contract cannot be added to the construction loan after closing
- Container homes, tiny homes, A-frames, shop-home combinations, and mixed-use or commercial projects
The appraisal is completed by an independent appraiser based on the land, plans, and specifications, and we have no influence over the value. Anything you want financed, from upgraded finishes to a covered patio, belongs in the contract before closing. Run the plan past Larry Barfoot before you sign it.
How An Ash Construction Custom Home And Construction Loan Come Together
Six stages, in order. The financing steps sit inside Ash's own build process so the build schedule and the draw schedule move together.
Set The Budget With Larry Barfoot
Before land or plans are final, Larry reviews which structure fits: our Hybrid Construction Loan, One-Time Close, or Two-Time Close, across FHA, VA, Conventional, Jumbo, ITIN, second home, and investment programs.
Discovery And Site Evaluation
Ash meets you at the land or property to talk through bedrooms, square footage, priorities, and budget, and evaluates access, drainage, setbacks, and utilities.
Design, Engineering, And Estimate
Plans are drawn with licensed architects and engineers, with pricing during design so selections are made with cost in view. The result is the line-item estimate and the build contract.
Close The Loan And Pull Permits
With the contract and land set, the loan closes, and land equity counts toward the project. Ash handles permits with the city or county and orders long-lead items such as cabinets and windows.
Construction And Draws
Foundation, framing, systems, and finishes follow, with weekly site meetings described by Ash. Each draw releases after an independent third-party inspection confirms the work, and we fund every draw in-house.
Final Walkthrough And Permanent Loan
Ash runs an internal punch list, walks every system with you, and hands over a homeowner's manual. The loan then moves to its permanent phase, automatically or through a second closing, depending on the structure chosen in step one.
Up To 100% Construction Loan Financing In Little Rock, Conway, Benton, And Central Arkansas
BuildBuyRefi.com is powered by The Federal Savings Bank, an FDIC-insured, veteran-owned direct lender licensed in all 50 states, NMLS #411500. We underwrite the land, the build contract, and the permanent mortgage as one plan.
Three Ways To Structure A Construction Loan
Hybrid Construction Loan
Built in-house. Both sets of loan documents are prepared upfront, so it runs like a single closing with one set of fees while the permanent rate stays open until the home is finished. FHA and VA streamline eligible in qualifying scenarios. Brokers and correspondent lenders cannot offer it.
One-Time Close Construction Loan
Qualify once and close once. The permanent rate is set at closing, and the loan converts at completion with no re-qualification and no second appraisal.
Two-Time Close Construction Loan
Separate closings for construction and the permanent loan, so the permanent rate is set at completion on the market at that time. We cover the origination fee on the second closing.
Program Details Ash Construction Clients Ask About
- Up to 100% financing on eligible programs, including VA construction with no monthly mortgage insurance for eligible veterans
- 640 minimum credit score on Conventional and FHA construction
- Jumbo construction up to $4.5 million, case by case, for larger custom homes
- ITIN construction financing for qualified primary residence borrowers
- Second home and investment property construction, which most construction lenders do not offer
Why A Direct Lender Matters On A Custom Build
A broker passes your file to another lender. A correspondent lender closes the loan, then sells it, and an outside investor's rules take over. We originate, underwrite, fund, and manage every draw in-house, so a question halfway through framing gets answered by people who work here.
No administrative fees on our construction programs. Fee layers of $40,000 to $100,000 or more show up on many broker and correspondent construction loans, and they can push the loan past what the home appraises for. Ask for every fee line by line on any quote you compare.
All programs are subject to credit qualification, property eligibility, and applicable program guidelines. Rates, terms, and availability vary by borrower, property, occupancy, and program, and are not guaranteed. Appraisals are performed by independent licensed appraisers and construction inspections are performed by third-party inspectors. Contact your banker for applicable rates, terms, and conditions.
*$50,000
Extra Funds For What The Build Contract Leaves Out
Qualified borrowers can access up to $50,000 in separate, unsecured funds before, at, or after closing, underwritten in-house alongside the mortgage. It does not rely on equity and it does not affect loan-to-value. We are not aware of another lender in this space offering it.
How Ash Construction Clients Could Use It
Furnishing the new home
A construction loan builds the house. It does not fill it. Furniture, appliances, and window treatments for a larger home add up fast.
Finishes cut from the budget
The quartz island, the upgraded tile, or the custom millwork that did not make the first contract.
A covered patio after move-in
An outdoor kitchen, fire pit, screened porch, or covered patio added once you have lived in the home for a season.
A cushion for change orders
Ash documents every change order with its cost before work proceeds. Separate funds already approved keep a mid-build decision from stalling the project.
Moving and overlap costs
Movers, storage, and the months of carrying your current home while the new one is finished.
Consolidating debt to qualify
Paying down qualifying revolving balances can improve the debt-to-income ratio, which in some scenarios helps a borrower qualify for the home they want.
*Up to $50,000 is available to qualified borrowers and can be applied across our loan programs. This is a separate unsecured consumer loan underwritten in-house at the same time as the mortgage. Proceeds cannot be used for a down payment. Approval, amount, rates, and terms depend on credit qualification and are not guaranteed. Contact your banker for applicable rates, terms, and conditions.
Save Up To 30% On Real Estate Commissions When You Sell Your Home Or Buy Land
Many Ash builds come with another transaction attached: a current home to sell, or land to buy first. Qualified borrowers can save up to 30% on listing-side real estate commissions on those transactions through our participating agent network, applied as a closing cost credit or toward a rate buy-down.
Selling Your Current Home
Moving up to a custom home usually means selling the one you are in. The savings apply to that sale, in Arkansas or any other state.
Buying Agent-Listed Land
When the land for your build is listed with a real estate agent, the network can represent that side of the purchase and the savings apply there too.
Credit Or Rate Buy-Down
Take the savings as a credit toward closing costs or put it toward a lower rate. Larry Barfoot can run both to see which helps the file more.
What this covers and what it does not. The benefit applies only to transactions represented by an agent: selling an existing home, buying an existing listed home, or buying land listed with an agent. It does not reduce the cost of a home built by Ash Construction. A build contract is a direct agreement with the builder, with no listing agent and no commission involved.
No money changes hands between us and the agents in either direction. We do not pay them, they do not pay us, and we earn nothing when a borrower uses one. Paying or receiving fees for referrals of federally related mortgage loans is prohibited by law, and we do not do it.
Commission savings are available to qualified borrowers through a participating real estate agent network, subject to agent availability, program terms, and applicable state law. Savings apply to the listing side of an agent-represented transaction. Actual savings vary by property, sale price, and the agreement reached with the participating agent. This benefit does not apply to the direct purchase or construction of a new home from a builder or dealer. No referral, affiliate, or other fee is paid or received by BuildBuyRefi.com or The Federal Savings Bank in connection with this benefit. Contact your banker for details.
Kitchen, Bathroom, And Home Addition Financing Without Refinancing Your First Mortgage
This is where Ash and BuildBuyRefi line up closely. Ash remodels and adds onto existing homes across Central Arkansas, and our 2nd Mortgage Construction-to-Permanent loan is built for exactly that work.
A large share of homeowners locked in first mortgage rates between 2.5 and 4.0 percent in 2020 and 2021. A cash-out refinance trades that rate for today's rate on the entire balance, which can cost more over the life of the loan than the remodel itself. Our loan funds the project in inspected draws, then converts to a fixed-rate, closed-end second lien at completion. The first mortgage stays at its original rate. Only the new money carries a new rate.
Ash Construction Projects It Fits
Kitchen Remodel Financing
A full gut remodel, a new layout and island, or a kitchen expanded into an adjoining room.
Bathroom Remodel Financing
A primary bath rebuilt to the studs, a walk-in shower conversion, or a new bathroom added.
Primary Suite And Room Additions
A primary suite with its own bath and closet, or a family room opened to the kitchen.
Second-Story Additions
Building up adds bedrooms and living space without giving up the yard.
Garage Conversions And In-Law Suites
Living space for a parent or adult child, with step-free entry and wider doorways.
Whole-Home Renovation Financing
Every room plus new wiring, plumbing, and HVAC, coordinated under one contract.
Buying a home to renovate, or refinancing anyway? Larry Barfoot is an FHA 203K, FNMA HomeStyle, and VA Renovation Specialist, so he can also compare our FHA 203K, FNMA HomeStyle, VA Renovation, and Jumbo Renovation programs, which roll the remodel into one first mortgage.
We are not aware of another lender offering the 2nd Mortgage Construction structure. It is underwritten, funded, and draw-managed in-house, with a licensed builder on the project.
Subject to credit qualification, property eligibility, lien position, available equity, and applicable program guidelines. Rates and terms vary by borrower and property and are not guaranteed. Local zoning and permitting govern what may be built on any given property. Contact your banker for applicable rates, terms, and conditions.
Meet Larry Barfoot, The Banker Assigned To Ash Construction Clients
Larry Barfoot
Top Rated® Vice President
BuildBuyRefi.com, powered by The Federal Savings Bank | NMLS ID# 450896
Ash Construction clients work directly with Larry from the first question through the final draw. Larry has worked in mortgage lending since 2001 and serves borrowers nationwide from Hampton Roads, Virginia, with construction, renovation, Conventional, FHA, VA, and Jumbo financing handled by one banker.
His credentials match Ash's mix of work. The New Construction and Construction Loan designations cover the custom homes. The FHA 203K, FNMA HomeStyle, and VA Renovation designations cover the remodels and additions. Veteran Lending covers VA construction with up to 100% financing for eligible veterans.
What Larry handles for an Ash client: reviewing eligibility before land or plans are final, comparing the Hybrid, One-Time Close, and Two-Time Close against the specific build, applying land equity, choosing between a 2nd Mortgage Construction loan and a renovation loan for a remodel, and keeping draws in step with Ash's project lead. Read Larry's full bio.
Check Your Eligibility To Build Or Remodel With Ash Construction
A few questions show which programs fit your land, your home, and your project. No credit pull, no Social Security number, and no obligation. Your answers go straight to Larry Barfoot.
Schedule A Free Strategy Call With Larry Barfoot
Pick a time that works for you. Bring your land details, a rough budget, or Ash's estimate if you have one, and Larry will walk through which programs fit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ash Construction And Home Financing In Arkansas
The questions Central Arkansas homeowners ask most before building or remodeling with Ash, answered plainly.
Where does Ash Construction build and remodel?
Ash Construction serves a 60-mile radius of Little Rock across Pulaski, Saline, Faulkner, Lonoke, White, and Garland counties, including Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Benton, Bryant, Cabot, Maumelle, Sherwood, Jacksonville, Searcy, and Hot Springs. Our financing is available in all 50 states, so you do not need to live in Arkansas yet to qualify.
Can I use land I already own toward my down payment?
Yes, in qualifying scenarios. Land owned free and clear can be applied toward the loan-to-value, which can reduce or eliminate the cash down payment. If the land still has a loan on it, that balance can be paid off at closing and rolled into the construction loan.
Can I buy land and build with Ash Construction in one loan?
Yes. Our land and home financing combines the land purchase and the construction into one plan that closes together. The land has to be titled to the borrower at closing, and land held by a family member must be formally transferred before the loan can proceed.
Can I get 100% financing to build a custom home in Arkansas?
Qualified borrowers may be eligible for up to 100% financing on certain construction programs, including VA construction with no monthly mortgage insurance for eligible veterans. Eligibility depends on the borrower, the land, occupancy, and program guidelines.
Can I finance a kitchen remodel, bathroom remodel, or addition without refinancing?
Yes. Our 2nd Mortgage Construction-to-Permanent loan funds the project during construction and converts to a fixed-rate, closed-end second lien at completion, so your first mortgage keeps its original rate. If you are buying a home to renovate or refinancing anyway, FHA 203K, FNMA HomeStyle, VA Renovation, and Jumbo Renovation programs are also available, subject to credit qualification and available equity.
Can Ash Construction tear down my existing home and build a new one?
Yes. Ash offers teardown and rebuild projects, and the new home can be financed through our One-Time Close, Hybrid, and Two-Time Close construction programs, including Jumbo, second home, and investment property construction, in qualifying scenarios. Equity in the land can count toward the project, and an existing mortgage on the property can be paid off at closing. Larry Barfoot can confirm which structure fits your property.
What credit score do I need for a construction loan?
The minimum is 640 on our Conventional, FHA, and VA construction programs. ITIN construction requires 680 and Jumbo construction requires 720. Larry Barfoot can review where you stand before you apply.
What is the difference between One-Time Close, Two-Time Close, and a Hybrid Construction Loan?
A One-Time Close uses one closing, sets the permanent rate at the start, and converts automatically at completion. A Two-Time Close uses separate closings, so the permanent rate is set when the home is finished. Our Hybrid Construction Loan prepares both sets of documents upfront so it runs like a single close with one set of fees, while the permanent rate stays flexible through completion. All are subject to credit qualification and program guidelines.
Why does it matter that Ash Construction is already a registered builder?
Builder approval is a real step. A lender with no relationship has to collect the builder's financials, run its own review, and onboard the builder before your file can move, and builders are often slow to repeat that with a new lender.
Ash Construction is already registered with our bank, so that work is done. The only approval left is yours, which improves and speeds up the closing process.
Contact Ash Construction In Jacksonville, Arkansas
Ash offers a free on-site visit and a written, line-item estimate. Or start with the financing and find out what your project can support first.
Ash Construction
Owner: Scotty Howard
2201 N Redmond Rd, Suite 203
Jacksonville, AR 72076
Phone: (501) 430-4410
Email: ashconstructionar@gmail.com
Website: ashconstructionar.com
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Larry Barfoot
Top Rated® Vice President
BuildBuyRefi.com, powered by The Federal Savings Bank
NMLS ID# 450896
Larry reviews eligibility, compares loan structures against your specific build or remodel, and stays on the file through the final draw.
The Federal Savings Bank, NMLS #411500. FDIC insured, veteran owned, federally chartered, and licensed in all 50 states.
Why Homeowners Choose Ash Construction
Ash brings nearly two decades of Central Arkansas building, one project lead from the first walk-through to the last, and written estimates before anything starts. Because Ash both builds new and remodels, the same builder can take a family from a new custom home to an addition years later.
Whether the land is owned or still being found, whether the project is a new home or a kitchen, and whether the rate should be locked now or left open, each answer leads to a different loan. Ash answers the building questions. Larry Barfoot answers the financing questions, and both conversations happen before a dollar is committed.
Where Ash Construction Builds And Remodels In Central Arkansas
Ash works within a 60-mile radius of Little Rock, from established neighborhoods in Sherwood and Maumelle to open land in Lonoke County, and describes knowing the permit offices, zoning, and trades in each city it serves.
Cities Ash Construction Serves
Counties Served
For homeowners looking for a custom home builder in Little Rock, a kitchen and bathroom remodeler in Conway, or land and home financing in Benton, Cabot, or Searcy, Ash covers the area. Permits run through each city's building department or, in unincorporated areas, the county.
On the lending side there is no geographic limit. BuildBuyRefi.com is licensed in all 50 states, so the financing works anywhere in Ash's service area and for buyers relocating from anywhere in the country.
More Resources For Building Or Remodeling In Arkansas
Ash Construction is one of nearly 2,000 builders and dealers registered with our bank. Larry Barfoot can narrow the options quickly once he knows the land, the plan, and how the home will be used.
Other registered builders in our network include Appalachian Log Structures, Blue Ridge Log Cabins, Impresa Modular Homes, Titan Metal Structures, and Zook Cabins. Or browse the full Registered Home Builders directory.
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