Help wanted! Creative ways to Advance Closing Date on New Build

[Jaxon Keeler]

Hello BP! This is my first post here, so please forgive any faux pas.

I am investing in a new build with second home financing. It is a 3 bed 3.5 bath townhome in an area zoned for vacation rentals - the entire community is being built currently. I went under contract back in June of 2021, with an estimated completion date of January 2022. This estimated completion date has been continually pushed back, and now they say maybe April. As we're all aware, supply chain issues are real and construction is indeed backed up quite a bit in many areas. However (as we are also all aware), substantial rate hikes are imminent, and my lender has informed me that the current administration will be imposing hefty upfront fees on second home loans starting April 1st. The difference in cost for me between closing in March vs. April 1 is substantial and frustrating.

I'm seeking some creative ways for how to close before the end of March. This may involve ways to make it mutually beneficial for the builder to prioritize my building over others in the community, otherwise applying pressure on the builder, clever ways to close even before completion (which maybe is the dumbest idea ever? if so please tell me), etc.

Further, who should I be leveraging during this process? My realtor has a good relationship with the builder. I assume it's in the lender's best interest that I close after this policy comes into play, or is that not the case? Do they receive kickbacks or something from the increased fees?

I look forward to all of the wisdom this community has to offer. Time is of the essence here, thank you all so much in advance for the help!