Fix and Flip Loan: Rates, Requirements & How to Close in 5 Days
A fix and flip loan is a short-term real estate financing solution designed specifically for investors who purchase, renovate, and resell properties for profit. At Private Money Billboard, our fix and flip loan program offers up to 90% of purchase price and 90% of rehab costs — with loan amounts from $50,000 to $2,000,000, interest rates starting at 7.00%, and closings in as few as 5 days. If you are looking for fast, flexible funding to scale your investment strategy, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Is a Fix and Flip Loan?
A fix and flip loan is a type of hard money or private money loan that gives real estate investors short-term capital to acquire and renovate distressed or undervalued properties. Unlike conventional mortgages, these loans are underwritten based primarily on the property’s after-repair value (ARV) — not just the borrower’s personal income. As a result, investors can move faster, take on more projects, and avoid the rigid qualification standards of traditional bank financing.
In addition, fix and flip loans typically fund both the purchase price and the renovation costs in a single loan structure. This makes them far more practical for active investors than piecing together separate financing for acquisition and rehab.
Specifically, our fix and flip loan program is built for speed and flexibility — so you can focus on finding deals, not fighting through paperwork.
Fix and Flip Loan Program Terms at a Glance
Our fix and flip loan program is designed to give investors maximum leverage with minimal friction. Below is a full breakdown of current program terms:
| Loan Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Loan Amount | $50,000 – $2,000,000 (larger amounts considered case by case) |
| Leverage | Up to 90% of purchase price & 90% of rehab costs |
| Interest Rate | Starting at 7.00% |
| Points | 1 – 3 points |
| Loan Term | 12 months |
| Max LTV | Up to 75% of After-Repair Value (ARV) |
| Minimum Credit Score | 600 |
| Recourse | Yes |
| Pre-Payment Penalty | None |
| Documentation | No Doc and Light Doc options available |
Why Our Leverage Terms Stand Out
Most private lenders cap their fix and flip loan leverage at 80–85% of the purchase price — and many require you to fund 100% of renovation costs yourself. Furthermore, they often calculate LTV conservatively against the current as-is value rather than the projected ARV. Our program goes further: up to 90% of purchase price, 90% of rehab, and 75% of ARV — a combination that dramatically reduces the cash you need to bring to closing.
Consequently, investors can take on more projects simultaneously without tying up large amounts of their own capital in any single deal.
How Our Fix and Flip Loan Process Works
One of the biggest frustrations investors face with fix and flip financing is a slow, attorney-heavy closing process. Specifically, traditional closings often involve multiple law firms, excessive title work delays, and high closing costs that eat directly into your profit margins.
We have eliminated those bottlenecks entirely. Here is how our streamlined process works:
- Submit your loan inquiry — Contact us with your deal details. No extensive pre-application paperwork required to get started.
- Choose your documentation path — Select No Doc or Light Doc underwriting based on your preference and deal structure.
- Order your own appraisal — Unlike most lenders, we allow borrowers to order their own appraisal. This speeds up the timeline and puts you in control.
- Skip the closing attorney bottleneck — We have removed the requirement for closing attorneys, eliminating the most common source of closing delays.
- Close in 5 days or less — With reduced closing fees and no high attorney costs, your deal closes fast — often within five business days.
No Doc vs. Light Doc Underwriting — What’s the Difference?
No Doc underwriting means the lender does not require traditional income verification documents — such as tax returns, W-2s, or pay stubs — to approve your loan. Instead, the deal’s numbers and the property’s ARV drive the decision.
Light Doc underwriting falls between full documentation and no-doc. In contrast to full-doc loans, light doc requires minimal paperwork — typically a basic financial summary or bank statement — but still avoids the full income-verification burden of conventional financing.
Both options are available on our fix and flip loan program, giving you flexibility based on your situation and the complexity of your deal.
Understanding ARV and Why It Matters for Your Fix and Flip Loan
After-Repair Value (ARV) is the estimated market value of a property after all planned renovations are complete. For fix and flip loans, ARV is the most critical number in your entire deal — because it determines how much a lender will fund.
For example, if a property has an ARV of $300,000 and the lender funds up to 75% ARV, the maximum loan amount would be $225,000. Therefore, accurately estimating ARV before you make an offer is essential to structuring a profitable deal.
How to Estimate ARV Accurately
- Run comparable sales (comps): Identify recently sold properties within a quarter-mile that match your target property’s size, age, and features after renovation.
- Work with a local appraiser: A professional appraisal — which you can order yourself under our program — gives you a defensible, lender-ready ARV estimate.
- Factor in your renovation scope: Specifically, kitchens and bathrooms drive the most value per dollar spent. However, over-improving for the neighborhood can result in an ARV lower than renovation costs warrant.
- Use the 70% rule as a starting point: Many experienced flippers aim to pay no more than 70% of ARV minus repair costs for a property. This ensures enough margin to cover loan costs, holding costs, and profit.
Cash Out Refinance Program
In addition to the fix and flip loan, we offer a Cash Out Refinance Program — designed for investors who want to pull equity from a property they already own. This program is particularly useful for recycling capital from completed projects back into new deals without selling the asset.
| Loan Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Loan Amount | $50,000 – $2,000,000 (larger amounts case by case) |
| Leverage | Up to 75% As-Is Value |
| Interest Rate | Starting at 7.00% |
| Points | 1 – 3 points |
| Loan Term | 12 months |
| Max LTV | Up to 75% ARV |
| Minimum Credit Score | 600 |
| Pre-Payment Penalty | None |
| Documentation | No Doc and Light Doc options available |
Similarly to the fix and flip program, this cash out option allows borrower-ordered appraisals, avoids closing attorney delays, and closes in five days or less with reduced closing fees.
Ground Up New Construction Loan Program
For investors building from the ground up, we offer a New Construction Loan Program — specifically structured for experienced builders who have already completed three or more ground-up projects. This program provides high leverage on both land and construction costs, making it one of the most competitive new construction offerings in the private lending space.
| Loan Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Loan Amount | $50,000 – $2,000,000 (larger amounts considered case by case) |
| Leverage | Up to 85% LTC (Loan-to-Cost — covers purchase and rehab) |
| Max LTV | Up to 75% ARV |
| As-Is Value (AIV) | Reviewed to confirm it covers the land purchase price |
| Experience Required | Minimum 3 completed ground-up deals |
| Interest Rate | Starting at 7.50% |
| Points | 1 – 3 points |
| Minimum Credit Score | 600 |
| Documentation | No Doc and Light Doc options available |
What Is Loan-to-Cost (LTC)?
Loan-to-Cost (LTC) is a ratio that compares the loan amount to the total cost of a project — including both the land purchase and all construction expenses. For example, if your total project cost is $400,000 and the lender offers 85% LTC, the loan would cover up to $340,000. Therefore, LTC is the most relevant metric for new construction deals, where there is no existing structure to appraise.
As with the fix and flip loan program, closing attorneys are not required, borrowers can order their own appraisals, closing fees are reduced, and deals can close in five days or less.
Fix and Flip Loan vs. Traditional Financing — Key Differences
Many newer investors ask why they cannot simply use a conventional mortgage for a fix and flip project. In contrast to fix and flip loans, traditional bank financing is not structured for investment property acquisition and renovation. Here is a side-by-side comparison:
| Factor | Fix and Flip Loan | Conventional Mortgage |
|---|---|---|
| Closing Speed | 5 days or less | 30–60 days typical |
| Rehab Funding | Yes — up to 90% | No |
| Income Verification | No Doc / Light Doc available | Full documentation required |
| Approval Basis | Property ARV + deal strength | Borrower income + credit |
| Loan Term | 12 months (short-term) | 15–30 years |
| Pre-Payment Penalty | None | Often applies |
As a result, fix and flip loans are the dominant financing tool for serious real estate investors — not because they are cheap (rates are higher than conventional mortgages), but because they are fast, flexible, and purpose-built for the investment cycle.
Who Qualifies for a Fix and Flip Loan?
Our fix and flip loan program is accessible to a wide range of borrowers — from first-time investors to experienced portfolio builders. Specifically, here is what you need to qualify:
- Minimum credit score of 600 — Lower than most conventional lenders require. Furthermore, the deal’s strength can compensate for credit challenges in many cases.
- A viable investment property — The property must support the deal numbers, particularly the ARV calculation and leverage ratios.
- Personal recourse — This is a recourse loan, meaning you personally guarantee repayment. This is standard in private money lending.
- No income documentation required — With No Doc or Light Doc options, you do not need to prove employment income or file tax returns to qualify.
What About First-Time Fix and Flip Investors?
First-time investors can absolutely qualify for the fix and flip loan program. However, experience does matter — particularly for new construction loans, which require a minimum of three completed ground-up deals. For standard fix and flip projects, there is no minimum experience requirement. Therefore, if you have found a solid deal, we can work with you regardless of your track record.
Fix and Flip Loan Costs: What to Budget For
Understanding your full cost of capital is essential before committing to any fix and flip loan. In addition to the interest rate, there are several other cost components every investor should account for:
Origination Points
Points — also called origination fees — are charged as a percentage of the loan amount at closing. For example, two points on a $200,000 loan equals $4,000 at closing. Our program charges between 1 and 3 points, which is competitive for private money lending. Specifically, points are a one-time cost, not an ongoing expense.
Interest Costs
At 7.00% per year on a 12-month loan, your interest cost on a $200,000 fix and flip loan would be approximately $14,000 for the full term — assuming full draw from day one. However, if renovation draws are staged, your actual interest paid will be lower because you only pay interest on the drawn amount.
Closing Costs
Traditional hard money lenders often require closing attorneys who charge significant fees — sometimes $2,000–$5,000 or more per transaction. We have removed this requirement entirely. As a result, your closing costs are substantially lower, and the process is faster. You will also save time and money by ordering your own appraisal rather than waiting for a lender-assigned appraiser.
Holding Costs
Holding costs include property taxes, insurance, and utilities during the renovation period. Consequently, faster closings and faster renovations directly reduce your total holding cost burden — which is why our 5-day close capability has real dollar value for every deal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fix and Flip Loans
How fast can I close on a fix and flip loan?
With our streamlined process — including borrower-ordered appraisals and no closing attorney requirement — you can close in 5 business days or less. In contrast, most conventional lenders take 30–60 days.
What credit score do I need for a fix and flip loan?
A minimum credit score of 600 is required. However, because approval is based primarily on deal strength and ARV — not just your credit profile — borrowers with imperfect credit can still qualify for strong deals.
Does a fix and flip loan cover renovation costs?
Yes. Our fix and flip loan covers up to 90% of rehab costs in addition to up to 90% of the purchase price. This is one of the highest leverage points available in private lending. For a deeper walkthrough, see our Lending for Fix and Flip Projects: Complete Guide.
Is there a prepayment penalty on a fix and flip loan?
No. There is no prepayment penalty on our fix and flip loan program. Therefore, if you complete your renovation and sell the property in six months, you simply pay off the loan with no additional fees.
Can I use a fix and flip loan for new construction?
New construction is handled under our separate Ground Up New Construction program, which offers up to 85% LTC. Specifically, that program requires a minimum of three completed ground-up projects. Email us at jnovak@privatemoneybillboard.com to discuss your project.
What loan amounts are available?
Our fix and flip loan program ranges from $50,000 to $2,000,000. Furthermore, larger loan amounts can be considered on a case-by-case basis — contact us directly to discuss deals above $2 million.
Do I need to verify my income to get a fix and flip loan?
No. Both No Doc and Light Doc underwriting options are available, meaning you do not need to provide tax returns, W-2s, or traditional income verification to qualify.
Get Your Fix and Flip Loan Funded Fast
Whether you are purchasing your first investment property or scaling a multi-deal portfolio, Private Money Billboard has the fix and flip loan program to match your goals. Specifically, our combination of high leverage, fast closings, flexible documentation, and no prepayment penalties makes us a strong alternative to larger institutional private lenders.
In addition, our Cash Out Refinance and Ground Up New Construction programs allow you to build a comprehensive financing strategy — from acquisition through renovation, resale, or long-term hold — all with the same lender.
Ready to get started? Email us directly at jnovak@privatemoneybillboard.com with your deal details. We will review your project and provide a clear, fast response — no runaround, no lengthy application forms.
Conclusion
A fix and flip loan is one of the most powerful tools available to real estate investors — but only if you work with a lender who understands your timeline and your deal. Our program delivers up to 90% leverage on purchase and rehab, rates starting at 7.00%, no prepayment penalties, and closings in five days or less. Furthermore, No Doc and Light Doc options mean you do not need to prove income to get funded. If you are ready to move fast on your next investment, our fix and flip loan program is built for exactly that. Reach out today and let’s get your deal closed.
