| At a Glance: Butte County residents have at least six solid paths to fund a new build from traditional bank loans and first-time buyer programs to wildfire recovery assistance. Local banks, Fannie Mae-backed lenders, the Town of Paradise First-Time Homebuyer Program, the ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance program, the Golden State Finance Authority, and certified Rebuild Advocates can each play a role in financing a home construction loan in Butte County. Trilogy breaks down all six below, plus answers the questions we hear most. |
Ready to fund the home you're building, buying, or rebuilding right here in Butte County? Good news: you've got more options than you might think. Trilogy has rounded up the top resources for home construction loans in Butte County, so you can spend less time Googling and more time picking out paint colors.
| If you're... | Consider... | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Already banking locally | A local bank construction loan | Personalized terms and a lender who already knows you |
| Buying your first home (or haven't owned one in 3+ years) | Town of Paradise First-Time Homebuyer Program | Deferred, low-interest gap loan; no monthly payments required |
| Working with a mortgage lender | Fannie Mae-backed financing | Widens the pool of loans your lender can offer you |
| Impacted by the Camp Fire or North Complex Fire | ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance | Up to $350,000 to help purchase a home outside a high fire severity zone |
| Living in an unincorporated part of the county | Golden State Finance Authority programs | Mortgage credit certificates, down payment assistance, multi-family financing |
| Overwhelmed by FEMA, SBA, or insurance paperwork | A Rebuild Advocate | Free, guided help through the entire rebuilding process |
Your bank is often the fastest place to start when you need a home construction loan in Butte County. If you think you want to buy or build a house, talk to your banker first and find out what they can do for you.
If this is your first home purchase, or you haven't owned a home in 3 or more years, it's worth looking into local first-time homebuyer loan programs. The Town of Paradise offers a deferred, low-interest "gap" loan to eligible first-time homebuyers as down payment assistance to purchase a home in Paradise. The loan amount is based on the difference between what you can afford and what the home costs—and because it's deferred, there are no monthly payments. The loan is due in 30 years, or sooner if the home is sold, vacated, or the title is transferred. Interest of 1% accrues for the first 10 years only.
Fannie Mae doesn't hand out loans directly, but it makes more home construction loans possible in Butte County by buying them from local lenders. Created by the federal government in 1938, Fannie Mae is a reliable source of mortgage financing for homeowners and homebuyers across the USA.
Lost a home to the Camp Fire or North Complex Fire? The ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance (DR-HBA) Program was built for you. Developed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and managed by the Golden State Finance Authority, this program provides up to $350,000 to help income-eligible households purchase a home. The assistance is structured as a second mortgage that is fully forgiven after five years of ownership and occupancy.
Those in unincorporated areas of Butte County can also explore the Golden State Finance Authority's broader programs, which include mortgage credit certificates, additional down payment assistance, and multi-family financing options.
| Note: Disaster recovery funding programs in California change as rounds open and close. Always verify current availability and eligibility requirements directly with Butte County or your lender before applying. |
Feeling a little overwhelmed while navigating a sea of resources like insurance, FEMA, or SBA? Contact a Rebuild Advocate at the Town of Paradise. They can guide you through selecting a contractor (cough, may we suggest Trilogy Construction?), submitting plans, and other aspects of the rebuilding process.
If you're still deciding which home construction loan in Butte County is right for you, talk to your Trilogy team. We're happy to help you find the best home construction loans in Butte County for your situation.
Contact us today to get started!
What is a home construction loan?
A home construction loan funds the cost of building a new house. Funds are typically released in stages as construction progresses, rather than as one lump sum like a traditional mortgage.
How do I qualify as a first-time homebuyer in Butte County?
For the Town of Paradise program, you qualify if you haven't owned a home in the past three years—even if you've owned property before that window. Income limits based on federal guidelines also apply, and you'll need to work through a certified lender. Check the Town of Paradise website for the most current limits.
What is the Town of Paradise First-Time Homebuyer loan, exactly?
It's a deferred, low-interest "gap" loan, meaning the loan amount covers the difference between what you can afford and what the home costs. There are no monthly payments. The loan is due in 30 years or when the home is sold, vacated, or transferred. Interest of 1% accrues for the first 10 years only.
Can I get help buying a home if I lost mine in a wildfire?
Maybe! The ReCoverCA Homebuyer Assistance (DR-HBA) Program offers up to $350,000 to help Camp Fire and North Complex Fire survivors purchase a home outside a high fire severity zone in California. Eligibility requirements include income limits, a maximum 45% debt-to-income ratio, and an 8-hour homebuyer education course. The assistance is structured as a forgivable second mortgage after five years of ownership and occupancy.
Does Fannie Mae lend money directly to homebuyers?
No. Fannie Mae purchases loans from lenders rather than issuing them directly, which allows lenders to fund more home construction loans in Butte County.
What does a Rebuild Advocate do?
A Rebuild Advocate offers free guidance from the Town of Paradise through insurance claims, FEMA and SBA paperwork, contractor selection, and plan submission for households rebuilding after a disaster.
Where can I find construction loan programs if I live in an unincorporated part of Butte County?
The Golden State Finance Authority offers mortgage credit certificates, down payment assistance, and multi-family financing for residents in unincorporated areas. The Butte County Housing Programs page is also a good starting point for the full current list of available programs.
"Buy land, they're not making it anymore." —Mark Twain
Before You Dig In: What to Know Before Buying Land in Butte County
Before buying land in Paradise, Butte County, or the surrounding Ridge communities, you should evaluate zoning and setback requirements, slope and grading conditions, septic and water access, fire zone designation/Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) requirements), and utility availability.
Unlike many contractors who leave this work to the homeowner, we handle site reconnaissance and permitting as part of our home building service—coordinating with the building department, fire department, and utility authorities on your behalf, and submitting and paying for permits with no markup. With over 50 years of local experience, we’re here to help you answer the question: “Can I build on this land?”
Buying land in Butte County or Paradise involves more than finding a beautiful parcel. Here’s a quick overview of the key factors to evaluate before signing anything.
| Factor | What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Slope & grade | How steep is the land? | Affects foundation type, grading costs, drainage |
| Septic/sewer | Soil test, city sewer connection | Required for habitation; can be expensive to fix |
| WUI fire zone | CAL FIRE designation | Triggers special building codes and materials |
| Utilities | PG&E access, water, gas/propane | Determines infrastructure costs |
| Setbacks & easements | Survey, county records | Limits where the home can be placed on the parcel |
| Road access | Existing easements or road dedication | Required for permits and emergency services |
| Regulatory approvals | County, state, fire authority | Varies by location; Trilogy coordinates all approvals on your behalf |
Thinking about taking Mr. Twain’s advice? Been wondering, “What kind of land can I build on?” If you’re considering buying a little piece of heaven on the Ridge or in Butte County, make sure you check out Trilogy’s helpful parcel checklist first.
Some acreage comes with expensive or unexpected challenges. Before you sign the deed to a new property, it’s important to do your homework in advance. As a Trilogy client, you won’t be navigating this alone, but knowing the landscape helps you ask the right questions from day one:
| Checklist Item | What to Look For | 🚩 Red Flag |
|---|---|---|
| 📍 Site Conditions | ||
| Property survey | Review a recent survey to confirm exact boundaries and acreage | No recent survey on file |
| Slope and grade | How steep is the incline? Will grading or fill be needed? | Slope over 15% adds significant cost |
| Brush and clearing | How much vegetation will need to be removed before building can begin? | Heavy overgrowth with no clear access path |
| Home orientation and setbacks | Will the home fit with required setbacks, easements, septic/sewer, and well placement? What sun exposure will it get? | Setbacks leave no viable building envelope |
| 💧 Water and Septic | ||
| Septic feasibility and soil test | Is a perc test required? What kind of septic system will the soil support? | Failed perc test with no engineered alternative |
| City sewer and water connections | If building in the city, what sewer and power connections are required, and who pays? | No existing connection point within a reasonable distance |
| ⚡ Utilities | ||
| Power access (PG&E) | Will PG&E and the water authority have easy site access to install power and water? | Utility lines require costly extension to reach the site |
| Gas or propane availability | Can you get natural gas or propane delivered to the location? | No gas service and propane delivery is not feasible |
| 🔥 Fire Safety | ||
| WUI fire zone designation | Is the property in a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone? This triggers special building codes for windows, siding, and landscaping. | High-severity WUI zone with no budget for required fire hardening |
| 📋 Access and Regulatory Approvals | ||
| Road access | Does the property have legal road access? Are easements in place for emergency vehicles? | No recorded road easement or legal access to a public road |
| Regulatory approvals | Which authorities must approve the project? Butte County, CAL FIRE, a special district? | Multiple overlapping jurisdictions with conflicting requirements |
While it’s not impossible to build on sloped land, it requires a lot of planning. If the property is on an incline, you’ll need to either “grade” it or even it out with fill. Or you may need to build the house on stilts instead of a traditional foundation.
If the house will be located at the base of an incline, be sure to investigate issues with potential water run-off, flooding, and mudslides.
| Challenge | Description | Typical Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Steep grade | Slope >15% significantly increases build costs | Cut-and-fill grading or raised foundation |
| Water run-off | Drainage from uphill can cause erosion or flooding | French drains, retention walls, grading plan |
| Foundation type | Traditional slab may not be viable | Pier-and-beam or hillside foundation |
| Septic placement | Slope affects drain field viability | Engineered septic system may be required |
Wildfires are a reality of life in Butte County. Many future residents wonder, “What kind of land can I build on and still stay safe?” The answer lies in being prepared, no matter where you live. You can do a self-assessment from CAL FIRE to see what your residence needs to withstand wildfires.
To make your future home more fire-resistant, include items like in-house sprinklers, non-combustible siding, metal flashing, and firewise landscaping in the design of your future home.
There’s a lot of land in Paradise and the surrounding areas bordering Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zones. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, WUI zones are where wildlands like parks or forests meet human development, like a town. In the event of a wildfire, fire can spread quickly to homes, so residences in these areas require special windows, home hardening, and other fire-resistant safety precautions.
| Feature | Purpose | Required in WUI? |
|---|---|---|
| In-house sprinklers | Active fire suppression | Often required |
| Non-combustible siding | Prevents exterior ignition | Yes, per building code |
| Metal flashing | Seals gaps from embers | Strongly recommended |
| Fire-resistant windows | Prevents radiant heat ignition | Yes in WUI zones |
| Firewise landscaping | Creates defensible space around the structure | Required (CAL FIRE) |
| Vented eave protection | Blocks ember intrusion | Required in most WUI areas |
For over 50 years, Trilogy has been a good neighbor to our neighbors in Paradise. We’re proud to have helped so many members of our community find their way home. After five decades of experience in the industry, we’re eager to share what we’ve learned with the next generation of homeowners. Contact us today to see how we can help you!
Before buying land, review or obtain a current property survey and investigate slope, drainage, and septic feasibility. Confirm utility access for power, water, and gas. Check whether the land falls in a WUI fire zone, verify setbacks and easements, and find out which regulatory agencies must approve your build. Trilogy’s parcel checklist covers all of these in detail.
A Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) zone is where developed areas meet undeveloped wildlands. Much of Paradise and Butte County falls within or near WUI zones. Building in these areas triggers additional California building codes, including fire-resistant windows, non-combustible siding, ember-resistant vents, and firewise landscaping. Trilogy builds regularly in WUI zones and knows these requirements well.
Yes, but it takes careful planning. Sloped parcels may require grading, engineered foundations, retaining walls, and specialized septic systems. Costs increase with slope severity. A local builder like Trilogy can assess the parcel early and help you understand the true cost before you commit.
If you plan to install a septic system, a soil percolation test (perc test) is typically required. This determines whether the soil can absorb wastewater at an acceptable rate. Without a passing perc test, the land may not be buildable for a standard septic system.
Building in Paradise involves Butte County planning and building departments, CAL FIRE for WUI compliance, and the State of California’s Title 24 energy and building codes. Post-Camp Fire reconstruction added additional layers of review. Trilogy has deep familiarity with local regulatory requirements and can help guide the approval process.
As part of our standard service, Trilogy conducts what we call Initial Reconnaissance: identifying potential roadblocks, handling site preparation, including survey and septic, and meeting directly with the building department, fire department, and utility authorities to get key questions answered before you’ve invested too much in the process.
Once you approve your True Quote, Trilogy submits your architectural plans to the building department, sanitation department, and any other applicable regulatory authorities—so you never have to field confusing calls or navigate permit paperwork yourself.
Ready to find your parcel? Already have a lot you might want to build on? Contact Trilogy Construction at calltrilogy.com, and let’s walk the land together.
An ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is a smaller, independent living space built on the same property as a main home. It has its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area, making it a fully separate residence, not just an extra room.
In Butte County, ADUs have become a popular way for homeowners to add rental income, house family members, or increase property value, all while staying on their existing lot.
If you’ve ever wondered what an ADU is—or how one might fit on your property—you’re not alone. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are becoming a popular way for homeowners in Butte County to create flexible living spaces, add property value, and bring family closer together.
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent living space built on the same lot as a primary home. Think of it as a guest house, in-law suite, rental, or even a home office. An ADU has its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area, making it a fully functional residence.
In California, ADUs are supported by state law to help provide more housing options while keeping families and communities connected. Across Butte County, more homeowners are exploring ADUs as part of long-term property planning and multi-generational living.
| Type | Description | Common Use |
| Detached ADU | Separate from the main house | Guest home, rental unit, office |
| Attached ADU | Connected addition with shared wall | Extended family or private suite |
| Conversion | Converts existing garage or shed into living space | Rental or studio |
| Interior Conversion (Junior ADU) | Uses space inside main home | Office, studio, or caregiver suite |
Trilogy Tip: Before we start building, we’ll help navigate local zoning and permit requirements.
Beyond added space, ADUs bring a world of benefits:
When you work with Trilogy, you’ll also get the clarity and accountability of our True Quote Process—so your ADU project stays on time, on budget, and stress-free.
Building an ADU isn’t a one-size-fits-all project. You’ll want to think about:
If you’re thinking about building an ADU in Butte County, there’s good news: local ordinances now make it easier than ever to add more living space to your property. Homeowners can build up to three total units on a single lot, with rear yard setbacks as small as four feet.
For residents of Paradise, the Town even provides free ADU building plans and an Informational Guidebook to help you get started.
| ADU Type | Maximum Size | Additional Details |
| Detached ADU | • 850 sq ft max for 1 bedroom • 1,000 sq ft max for 2 bedrooms | • Setbacks ≥ 4 ft from rear and side yards • Subject to septic capacity and local zoning limits |
| Attached ADU | • Up to 50% of the main home’s net floor area • 850 sq ft max for 1 bedroom • 1,000 sq ft max for 2 bedrooms | • Must be directly connected to the primary residence • Subject to ADU zoning and septic requirements |
Trilogy Tip: Before designing your ADU, confirm current regulations with the Town of Paradise Planning Department or Butte County Building Division. Our Trilogy team can help review your lot size, septic capacity, and local zoning to ensure your project meets all requirements, saving time and stress along the way.
What is an ADU?
An ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is a small, independent living space, like a guest house, in-law suite, or rental unit, built on the same lot as a main home. It has its own entrance, kitchen, and bathroom.
What does ADU stand for?
ADU stands for Accessory Dwelling Unit.
What is the difference between an ADU and a JADU?
An ADU is a fully independent unit with its own kitchen and bathroom. A JADU (Junior ADU) is smaller, built within the existing footprint of the main home, and may share a bathroom with the primary residence.
Are ADUs allowed in Butte County?
Yes. Most areas within Butte County, including Paradise, allow ADUs under California's state housing laws. Always check your specific property's zoning before starting design.
How big can an ADU be in Butte County?
Detached ADUs can be up to 850 square feet for one bedroom or 1,000 square feet for two bedrooms. Attached ADUs follow the same size limits, or up to 50% of the main home's floor area, whichever is smaller.
How long does it take to build an ADU?
Timeline depends on permits, materials, and whether it's attached or detached. Trilogy's True Quote Process helps set realistic expectations from the start.
Can I rent out my ADU?
In many cases, yes. Local laws allow long-term rentals, not short-term vacation stays. We'll help you verify what applies to your property.
What changed and why:
Whether you’re planning for family, flexibility, or future investment, building an ADU is a smart way to make your property work harder for you—and still feel like home. Send us a message to get started!
No man is an island.
This literary advice from poet John Donne has held up in the 400+ years since it was written. But what if we’re talking about a kitchen island? Since Mr. Donne is silent on the subject, Trilogy’s offering our gentle readers a list of pros and cons to help you decide.
Offers more counter space
Can provide extra built-in storage
Does double-duty as a casual bar table for eating
Helps define the kitchen space in an open-plan room
Increases a home’s value
Can be portable if put on wheels
Creates a visual focal point for the kitchen design
Is a natural gathering place and the heart of the kitchen
Adds significant cost to the kitchen design
Takes up valuable floor space in small kitchens
Island sinks can splash more water on the kitchen floor vs. a sink against a wall
Can disrupt the traffic flow in narrow kitchens
Requires special planning to incorporate plumbing and electrical
After reviewing the Pros & Cons list, let’s say you decide to go ahead with a kitchen island for your new home. Here are some considerations to keep in mind before you build.
Measure your space. When building a kitchen island, make sure you have at least 42 inches of space on all sides to allow for easy movement in the area. If you’re planning to age in place in your home, you might want to add extra width to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers.
Get out your measuring tape and ruler. Think you’ve got that 42 inches? Now map it out. Lay out your potential island on the floor with painter’s tape to see how it’ll work in your space. (Don’t forget to include space for the counter overhang!)
Choose your countertop material carefully. Don’t forget about countertops for your island! Pick the right material for your everyday needs or goals, whether a kid-friendly house, entertaining, or something else.
Be mindful of maintenance. Consider how much maintenance is required when picking an island type and how much time you have to spend on it. For example, gaining extra storage from a kitchen island also means extra clutter and cleaning for the items inside.
Add clever solutions. Figure out what kitchen tips you can incorporate into your kitchen island design, like a pop-up appliance garage or a pull-out spice rack.
Research other options. Don’t have enough room for an island? Look for alternatives like an extended counter or a rolling island that can sit flush with the wall when not in use.
Looking for design inspiration? Check out our online gallery of some real (and really fabulous) kitchens!
Whether you decide to go with a kitchen island or not, Trilogy is always here to offer expert advice for all our present and future clients’ needs. We’ve been lending a helping hand to our community for over fifty years and are proud to share what we’ve learned with others. It’s the Trilogy way! Contact us today to see how we can help.
With all the recent ups and downs, the real estate market looks a lot like a rollercoaster. Rising interest rates and falling housing inventory can make the idea of homebuying seem like a wild ride. How do you know if it’s the right time to invest in a property to live in or rent out?
After weathering decades of market changes, we here at Trilogy have learned a thing or two about the market. In today’s blog, we’d like to share some advice about investing in real estate.
While generally it’s recommended to buy properties when interest rates are low, it’s important to consider the inventory during this time, too. Low rates can heat up a market and drive home prices sky-high, like during the housing boom of 2020-2022. So while some homebuyers may have secured a lower rate for a mortgage, the value of the property may have been over-inflated, causing them to pay more than it was worth. And in some cases, competition could drive property prices beyond what certain homebuyers can afford.
Conversely, when interest rates are higher, demand can be lower. This could force sellers to drop prices, and the potential for buyers to secure a good deal increases. When the interest rate drops later, refinance for a better rate.
Let’s look at an example close to home—Chico. Our neighbor to the west just made a Top 5 list of cities where homes are selling more slowly compared to 2022. Because houses are sitting on the market twice as long as they were a year ago, there’s more bargaining power for buyers.
The short answer is: yes! Our little mountain town of Paradise is known for its resilience as well as its beauty. Building and rebuilding homes continues, with building statistics showing almost 3,000 building permits received and nearly 2,000 homes rebuilt. More and more people are returning to Paradise and investing in real estate here.
Whether buying a property to be used as a home or as a rental, Paradise is a good investment. For investors, buying or building a rental unit helps defer capital gains taxes and provides housing for current and future residents. New homeowners can take advantage of first-time homeowner loans to help with a purchase. The Town of Paradise even offers a special deferred, low-interest loan to help bridge the gap between what a borrower can afford and what they need for a loan. Finally, the Rebuild Paradise Foundation helps connect residents wishing to rebuild with grants and other essential resources.
If you’re thinking of building a home for yourself or a rental unit as an investment, contact us at Trilogy. With over 50 years of experience building on the Ridge, you can feel confident about the quality of our work. And our True Quote process shows you exactly how much the build will cost, ensuring your peace of mind.
When you hear the word “tools,” do hammers and nails come to mind? If so, you’re in good company! They’re important to a new home build, but here’s a tip: the first tool you should pick up when venturing into a custom home is a mortgage calculator. This simple step sets the foundation for a successful home ownership experience.
It’s a handy formula, sometimes coming in the form of an app or other online tool, to help you figure out how much your mortgage payments will be each month. Trilogy has our very own mortgage calculator you can use to plug in numbers and figure out what your mortgage would be based on what kind of house you’re building. It can also tell you how many payments you’ll make over the lifetime of the loan as well as how much interest you’ll pay.
In order to start your calculation, there are a few terms and amounts you’ll need to know. Be ready to plug in the numbers for your home value, down payment, loan amount, interest rate, property tax, PMI and HOA (if applicable) and the cost of home insurance.
Math Tip:
Purchase price of the house - deposit = mortgage amount
This could be more if you’ve chosen to wrap up the closing costs into the mortgage.
Once you have the total mortgage amount, enter it into the calculator along with the interest rate and loan term (30 years, etc.) After plugging in these numbers, the app should give you a monthly payment amount for your mortgage.
Once you’ve calculated your mortgage, don’t forget about some of the other important costs associated with owning a home.
Here are some examples:
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): If you’re putting less than 20% of the purchase price as a down payment for your mortgage, your lender may require Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. PMI is a payment wrapped up in the mortgage that protects the lender in case the borrower defaults on the loan.
Property Tax: This is the amount you’ll owe the local government each year for owning the property. Some mortgage companies will include this wrapped up in your mortgage so you don’t have to pay it separately.
Homeowner’s Insurance: You’ll be required to choose an insurance provider for your property whether you live in it full-time or not. Many mortgage companies can include this in your monthly mortgage payment and remit it to the insurance company on your behalf.
Homeowners Association Fee (HOA): If your new property is located in a development, you may have to pay a Homeowners Association Fee, which covers expenses like landscaping, property upkeep, etc.
The bottom line: check with your mortgage provider to find out more about which of these are included, as they could significantly increase your monthly payment.
If you’re trying to decide whether to buy or build a new custom or semi-custom home, Trilogy can help you with this important decision. Contact us for assistance!
