Barndominium loans, handled personally
One banker for your land, your build, and your barndominium mortgage.
Build it, buy it finished, or refinance the one you already own — Matthew Ramsey maps your barndominium to the right loan from the first conversation, and stays with it through closing.
Liberty Federal Credit Union Meet Matt →
Start here
Three ways in — pick the one that matches your property
Every barndominium project starts in one of three places. Each path below explains how the financing actually works, in plain terms, before you ever fill out a form.
Construction-to-Permanent
Land and build in a single loan that becomes your mortgage when the home is finished.
How building works →
Purchase an Existing Barndominium
Straightforward purchase financing for a completed barndominium that is ready to move into.
How buying works →
Refinance Your Barndominium
Rework your rate or payment — and, if you are eligible, take cash out for major expenses or improvements.
How refinancing works →Path 01 · Construction
Build it with a construction-to-permanent loan
A barndominium build is financed differently from a site-built house purchase. The loan is structured as a single-close construction-to-permanent loan: it funds the build in stages, then turns into your long-term mortgage — all from one approval and one closing.
- Qualify once, close once. One application, one closing, and one set of closing costs cover both the construction phase and the finished mortgage.
- Land can ride along. In many cases the same loan can purchase your land at closing, or pay off a land loan you already carry, so land and build end up in one mortgage.
- Your builder is paid in draws. Funds are released in stages as work is completed and verified, rather than all at once.
- Rate protection during the build. Your rate is addressed up front, with a float-down available if conditions allow.
- No second closing. When construction is complete, the loan converts to your permanent mortgage automatically — no re-qualifying and no second set of costs.
Talk & pre-qualify
Matt reviews your income, credit, land, and plans, and confirms which construction structure fits.
Builder & plans approved
Your contractor, plans, and budget are reviewed and approved as part of the loan approval.
One closing, then build
You close once. The lender pays your builder in draws as each stage of work is completed.
Move in
At completion, the same loan converts to your permanent mortgage. Nothing to re-apply for.
Path 02 · Purchase
Buying a barndominium that is already built
If the barndominium is finished and ready to live in, you do not need a construction loan at all. Purchase financing works much like buying any other home — with a banker who already understands how these properties are appraised and underwritten.
- Built for completed homes. Financing for existing barndominiums that are finished and move-in ready.
- Full program range. Conventional, FHA, VA, and Jumbo purchase options, plus select portfolio loans where they fit.
- Appraisal guidance up front. Barndominiums can have fewer comparable sales nearby; Matt flags appraisal considerations early, not at the closing table.
- A clear path to closing. Quote, pre-approval, appraisal and underwriting, then closing — with one point of contact throughout.
Path 03 · Refinance
Refinance the barndominium you already own
Once a barndominium is complete, it can generally be refinanced like other homes, subject to standard property and credit requirements. Whether the goal is a better payment or funding the next project, Matt will run the numbers with you honestly.
- Rate & term refinance. Explore a lower rate, a lower payment, or a different loan term.
- Cash-out, if eligible. Tap equity for major expenses or improvements, where program rules and your equity allow.
- Program choice. Conventional, FHA, VA, and Jumbo refinance options, plus select portfolio loans.
- Straight cost picture. You will see the costs and the break-even point before deciding — not after.
Programs at a glance
Which programs do what
Construction and purchase financing are not interchangeable, and the program lists are different. This table keeps them separate so there is no confusion about what Matt can do at each stage.
| Program | Build a new barndominium | Buy or refinance a finished barndominium |
|---|---|---|
| Construction-to-Permanent (single-close) | Yes — primary build option. Conventional single-close structure; land + build in one loan. | Not applicable — the loan converts into the permanent mortgage at completion. |
| Conventional | Yes, as the single-close construction-to-permanent structure above. | Yes — purchase and refinance. |
| FHA | Not offered for construction. | Yes — purchase and refinance of finished barndominiums. |
| VA | Not offered for construction. | Yes — purchase and refinance of finished barndominiums for eligible borrowers. |
| Select portfolio | Where available for projects that fall outside standard construction guidelines. | Where available, case by case. |
| Jumbo | Yes — jumbo financing available for higher-cost barndominium builds above standard loan limits. | Yes — purchase and refinance above standard loan limits. |
Eligibility always depends on the borrower, the builder, and the property. Program availability and terms can change and vary by state and county — your quote confirms what applies to your project.
Good to know before you build
The barndominium details that decide approvals
Barndominiums are straightforward to finance when the details are handled in the right order. These are the guidelines that most often shape a barndominium loan — and the ones Matt checks first.
Appraisals need comparable sales
Barndominiums are less common than site-built homes, so an appraiser may have few nearby barndominium sales to compare against. That can affect value and timing. Knowing this early lets us set expectations and document the property properly from the start.
Not every lender takes metal buildings
Some lenders simply decline metal-building construction or have no construction program for it at all. Working with a banker who finances barndominiums as a specialty avoids the dead ends that come from applying in the wrong place first.
Shop space vs. living space matters
How much of the building is living area versus shop or workspace is reviewed as part of eligibility. A barndominium designed primarily as a home, with the shop as a secondary use, is the cleanest fit — Matt will review your plans with this in mind before you finalize them.
Your builder is part of the approval
On a construction loan, the builder is approved alongside you: license, experience, and project history are all reviewed. Bring your builder into the conversation early — it is far easier than switching builders mid-approval.
About Matt
A mortgage banker who specializes in barndominiums
Matthew Ramsey is a Mortgage Banker with Liberty Federal Credit Union, focused on one niche: financing barndominium homes. That means construction-to-permanent loans for new builds, purchase loans for finished barndominiums, and refinances for owners — handled by the same person from your first call to closing.
Barndominium financing has its own wrinkles — builder approvals, draw schedules, appraisals with thin comparable sales. Matt's job is to handle those details in the right order, explain your options in plain language, and keep the process moving.
“I'll help you understand your options and keep the process moving — without the runaround.”
Matthew Ramsey Mortgage Banker · NMLS #732738 · Liberty Federal Credit Union
FAQ
Questions barndominium buyers ask first
Short, honest answers. Anything more specific to your land, plans, or credit is exactly what the quote conversation is for.
Can you actually get a mortgage on a barndominium?
Yes. To build one, the usual route is a construction-to-permanent loan — one loan that funds the build and then becomes your mortgage. To buy a finished barndominium, standard purchase programs apply, and a completed barndominium can generally be refinanced like other homes, subject to normal property and credit requirements.
What does “one-time close” mean?
It means the construction loan and the permanent mortgage are combined into a single closing. You qualify once, sign once, and pay one set of closing costs. During the build, the lender pays your builder in draws as stages are completed. When the home is finished, the loan converts to your permanent mortgage automatically — no second closing and no re-qualifying.
Can the land be part of the same loan?
Often, yes. Many construction-to-permanent loans can include the land purchase at the same closing, or pay off a land loan you already have, so the land and the build end up in a single mortgage.
Which programs can finance a barndominium build?
Through Matt, new construction is financed with a conventional single-close construction-to-permanent loan, with select portfolio options for projects that fall outside standard guidelines. FHA and VA loans are available for purchasing or refinancing a finished barndominium, but they are not offered as construction loans here.
Can I be my own builder?
Most construction-to-permanent programs require a licensed general contractor to run the build. Owner-builder arrangements are limited and depend on the program. If you already have a builder in mind, Matt verifies they can be approved for your program before you commit.
Why do some lenders turn barndominiums away?
Two common reasons: appraisals can be harder where there are few comparable barndominium sales, and some lenders do not offer construction financing for metal-building homes at all. It is a specialty — which is why matching the project to the right program from the start matters.
How much shop space can my barndominium have?
The balance between living space and shop or workspace is reviewed as part of property eligibility, and large non-residential areas can affect whether a design qualifies. If shop space is a big part of your plan, raise it early — it is much easier to address in the plans than after they are drawn.
What happens to my rate while the home is being built?
Your rate is addressed as part of the construction-to-permanent structure, with rate protection during the build and a float-down available if conditions allow. Matt will walk through exactly how this works for your loan before you close.
Where is this available, and how fast will I hear back?
Financing is available nationwide, with some state and county exclusions. Send a quote request and Matt will confirm availability for your property and respond within 24 hours.
Request a quote
Tell Matt about your barndominium
Share a few details — your land, your plans, or the home you own — and Matt will respond within 24 hours with the programs that fit and your next steps. No obligation.