Before you buy that dream lot — listen to this.

In this episode, Rick shares the true story of a costly mistake he made early in his career that changed how he approaches every homesite today. You'll learn the 15 essential steps to take before purchasing land for your custom home — from wetland determinations and soil tests to title reviews, setbacks, and environmental reports.

Whether you’re building your first custom home or advising others who are, this episode will give you the tools to avoid major surprises and move forward with confidence.

Download the Due Diligence Checklist here: https://tigtch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Homesite_Due_Diligence_Checklist.pdf
Visit the show notes: https://tigtch.com/
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In this episode, Rick Bell unpacks one of the most powerful tools in custom homebuilding: the construction schedule. Whether you're building your dream home or managing a team, understanding how a schedule is created—and how it can make or break your build—is essential.

You’ll learn:

• What a CPM (Critical Path Method) schedule is and why it matters

• How trades are sequenced to avoid costly delays

• What “lead time,” “float,” and “lag” mean in real-world construction

• How homeowner decisions, like cabinet selections, impact the build timeline

• Why change orders happen—and how to handle them smartly

Rick also shares pro tips on how to stay on track, what tools builders use to create schedules, and what you can do as a homeowner to help keep everything moving forward.

🎧 Whether you're just starting your journey or knee-deep in drywall, this episode gives you the knowledge to build smarter.

In this episode, Rick Bell walks you through the essential steps of financing your custom home. Whether you're paying cash, using a construction loan, or a hybrid approach, understanding how financing works can save you time, money, and stress.

• Pros and cons of paying cash vs. financing
• What to ask when selecting a construction lender
• Key documents required for loan approval
• How construction loan draws work
• The difference between one-time close loans and refinancing
• Tips for staying organized during the loan process

• Construction Loan: A short-term loan disbursed in phases as construction progresses.
• Permanent Loan: A long-term mortgage that replaces the construction loan after completion.
• Construction-to-Permanent Loan: A one-time close loan that converts to a permanent mortgage automatically.
• Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio: Compares your loan amount to the home’s appraised value.
• Draw Request: A builder’s request for funds based on completed milestones.
• Conditional Loan Commitment: A lender’s agreement to fund the loan pending final conditions.

• Landmark Custom Homes
• Construction Loan Basics (Fannie Mae)

• Email: Rick@TIGTCH.com
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