From valley-floor subdivisions to foothill acreage.
Placer County runs from the growth areas around Roseville and Lincoln up through the foothills of Auburn, Loomis, Newcastle, and Meadow Vista. Ken Clark Jr. helps buyers, landowners, veterans, and builders finance new homes across the county through PRMG programs.
Short answer: PRMG construction programs are available throughout Placer County, subject to eligibility and program guidelines.
| Program | Often fits | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| VA one-time close | Eligible veterans building a primary residence | VA construction |
| FHA one-time close | Smaller down payments, 3.5% minimum for eligible borrowers | FHA construction |
| USDA one-time close | Income-eligible buyers in eligible rural areas | USDA construction |
| Conventional one-time close | Primary or second homes, land equity | Conventional construction |
| Jumbo construction | Custom homes above conforming and high-balance limits | Jumbo loans |
| Investor and builder | Ground-up, spec, fix and flip (business purpose) | Builder construction . Fix and flip |
Short answer: it depends on the lot. The Placer County Building Services Division handles permits for unincorporated areas; incorporated cities and towns issue their own.
For California one-time close loans, permits are typically required before closing.
Short answer: where public sewer is not available, you will need a septic system. Placer County requires soils testing by a sewage disposal consultant with Environmental Health, and the results determine the system type and location.
See Placer County Environmental Health, Septic Systems. Wells also require permits and testing. Septic, well, driveway, and power extension costs belong in your builder's line-item budget, and on foothill lots they can be significant.
Short answer: much of the Placer foothills is mapped in fire hazard severity zones, which require wildfire-resistant construction and can affect insurance.
Check the address on the State Fire Marshal FHSZ page and get insurance quotes early.
Short answer: parts of rural Placer County may be USDA-eligible for income-eligible buyers, while most of Roseville, Rocklin, and Lincoln generally are not.
Check the exact address on the USDA eligibility map. See USDA construction loans.
Short answer: if you already own Placer County land, its equity may count toward the down payment and closing costs, depending on the program.
Conventional one-time close programs commonly allow rural properties up to about 10 acres. See land equity.
Educational illustration only. Not an actual client, loan offer, or commitment to lend.
A family buys a 3-acre lot outside Auburn for $195,000. The builder's fixed-price contract is $585,000, including septic, a well, a long driveway, and solar, and the as-completed value is $840,000. On a conventional one-time close loan, the lot and construction are financed at one closing, septic and well approvals come through Environmental Health and permits through County Building Services before closing, and the family pays interest only on funds drawn during the build.
Answered by Ken Clark Jr., Certified Mortgage Advisor. Program availability and requirements vary and are subject to change.
Yes. PRMG construction programs are available throughout Placer County, subject to eligibility and program guidelines.
Placer County Building Services for unincorporated areas; Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Auburn, Loomis, and Colfax issue their own permits.
Where public sewer is not available, yes. Placer County requires soils testing by a sewage disposal consultant with Environmental Health.
Parts of rural Placer County may be eligible for income-eligible buyers. Check the exact address on the USDA eligibility map.
The conforming limit is $832,750 for a one-unit home, and the FHA limit for the Sacramento area, which includes Placer County, is about $791,200.
Often yes. Conventional one-time close programs commonly allow rural properties up to about 10 acres, subject to program guidelines.
For California one-time close loans, permits are typically required before closing.
Guidelines change. Verify current program requirements with Ken Clark Jr. before relying on them for a transaction.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend, a guarantee of approval, or a rate quote. Loan programs, down payment requirements, terms, and eligibility depend on borrower, property, project, builder, and program qualifications, are subject to underwriting, and vary by state. Not all applicants or projects will qualify. Builder registration is a documentation review for program eligibility and is not an endorsement of any builder. Equal Housing Opportunity. Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. (PRMG), NMLS #75243. Ken Clark Jr., NMLS #225375. PRMG is licensed in 49 states, excluding New York.
Certified Mortgage Advisor and Branch Manager at PRMG Mortgage (NMLS #75243). 28 years in mortgage lending. Specializes in FHA, VA, conventional, DPA, jumbo, Non-QM, renovation, and construction financing for buyers and investors in Sacramento, New Jersey, and nationwide. PRMG is licensed in 49 states, excluding New York. Three-time Gold Award winner for Highly Reviewed Mortgage Team in Sacramento (2023, 2024, 2025). NMLS #225375.
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