We're updating our FHA construction loan guide and need practitioners who have worked FHA One-Time Close (OTC) construction loans. We're seeking loan officers who have originated 10+ FHA OTC loans in the past two years, and builders who have completed multiple FHA-financed builds. Questions (please answer the 2–3 most relevant to your experience): 1. Borrowers report that the published 3.5% FHA minimum down payment doesn't match what lenders approve for construction loans. What does the realistic down payment picture look like in 2026, and when does a borrower actually get approved at 3.5%? 2. Why do so many borrowers calling lenders on HUD's official list get told the lender doesn't actually offer FHA construction loans? What's a more reliable way to find a lender who genuinely originates these, and is "FHA One-Time Close" the correct search term? 3. For builders: what makes you say yes or no when a buyer comes with FHA construction financing? What do FHA draw inspections and paperwork require from a general contractor that conventional construction loans don't? 4. What's the most common reason an FHA construction loan application falls apart between approval and closing, and what could the borrower have done differently? 5. Owner-builder applications get rejected almost universally — even when the borrower is a licensed architect. Why? And what's the right path for someone determined to self-build? Please include your name, title, company, location, and how long you've been originating FHA construction loans or building FHA-financed homes. We'll attribute with a link to your LinkedIn profile or professional website.