Choosing the right hard money lender for your investment project can be challenging. With nearly three decades of experience in real estate and investing, I’ve worked with hard money lenders to secure financing for everything from simple fix-and-flip projects to multi-million-dollar apartment building rehabs.
There’s no one-size-fits-all hard money lender—each borrower, project and situation is unique. The best hard money loans for real estate depend on your investment strategy, whether you’re financing a short-term flip, a rental property or a large-scale development.
I’ll walk you through my top picks for the best hard money lenders in 2025 and explain how to choose the right lender for your specific needs. You’ll also learn how hard money loans work, what it takes to get approved and key factors to consider before applying.
Our picks: The 5 top hard money lenders for 2025
Kiavi: Best for fix and flips
If you’re looking for a one-stop shop when it comes to hard money lenders, your best bet is Kiavi. Kiavi is known for its convenient combination of reasonable rates, an easy-to-use digital platform and knowledgeable customer service representatives. For fix and flips, there’s only a seven-day cash-to-close turnaround, so you can jump right into investing.
The proof is in the pudding. Kiavi recently announced an expansion to 13 more states, increasing their loan volume by 46%, in turn creating more reliable capital for realtors. According to Kiavi, this success is due in part to a “consistent track record of performance and risk-adjusted terms.”
| Klavi rates and terms | |
|---|---|
| Interest rate | Fix and Flip (short term): 7.45%+ APR |
| Loan-to-value | Up to 80% APV (after repair value), 95% of purchase price, 100% rehab cost |
| Upfront fees | 2%-3% origination fee |
| Credit requirement | 640 |
| Investing experience | Qualifications based on the ARV and potential profit of the property itself. |
| Maximum loan amount | $3 million |
| Prepayment penalty | YES |
| Property types | Fix and flips, 2-4 unit rentals, detached and attached planned unit developments (PUD’s) |
Easy Street Capital: Best for investment properties
Investment properties have been crucial to expanding my portfolio. But when it comes to hard money loans in this department, it can be hard to find a process that’s flexible, fast and most importantly — reliable.
Easy Street Capital is a trusted company that stands out in 2025 due to its quick approval process. A loan can be approved in as little as 24 hours and can close in as little as 48 hours. Time really is money when it comes to these things.
| Klavi rates and terms | |
|---|---|
| Interest rate | Fix and Flip (short term): 7.45%+ APR |
| Loan-to-value | Up to 80% APV (after repair value), 95% of purchase price, 100% rehab cost |
| Upfront fees | 2%-3% origination fee |
| Credit requirement | 640 |
| Investing experience | Qualifications based on the ARV and potential profit of the property itself. |
| Maximum loan amount | $3 million |
| Prepayment penalty | YES |
| Property types | Fix and flips, 2-4 unit rentals, detached and attached planned unit developments (PUD’s) |
Constitution Lending: Best for new investors
If you’re a new investor, finding the best hard money lenders for beginners can make or break your chance at success. You want someone who’s experienced with emerging investors and with terms that are fair and comprehensible. Constitution Lending prides itself on helping investors kick off their projects. They’re well-versed in the challenges of navigating hard money loans for the first time.
Although they’re great with new lenders, they will have some base-level requirements. As usual, a good credit score can’t hurt, but it isn’t all or nothing. Prepare a solid business plan and make sure you are well-versed on your property before applying.
| Klavi rates and terms | |
|---|---|
| Interest rate | Fix and Flip (short term): 7.45%+ APR |
| Loan-to-value | Up to 80% APV (after repair value), 95% of purchase price, 100% rehab cost |
| Upfront fees | 2%-3% origination fee |
| Credit requirement | 640 |
| Investing experience | Qualifications based on the ARV and potential profit of the property itself. |
| Maximum loan amount | $3 million |
| Prepayment penalty | YES |
| Property types | Fix and flips, 2-4 unit rentals, detached and attached planned unit developments (PUD’s) |
New Silver: Best for low interest rates
If you’re looking to lower the amount of financial risk on a loan, New Silver is a great option. Not only do they work with investors of various experience levels, but they offer highly competitive rates and flexible terms.
When it comes to rentals, New Silver has some of the lowest interest rates in the biz. If you have a decent credit score and over a year of experience in investing, I would definitely recommend contacting them.
| Klavi rates and terms | |
|---|---|
| Interest rate | Fix and Flip (short term): 7.45%+ APR |
| Loan-to-value | Up to 80% APV (after repair value), 95% of purchase price, 100% rehab cost |
| Upfront fees | 2%-3% origination fee |
| Credit requirement | 640 |
| Investing experience | Qualifications based on the ARV and potential profit of the property itself. |
| Maximum loan amount | $3 million |
| Prepayment penalty | YES |
| Property types | Fix and flips, 2-4 unit rentals, detached and attached planned unit developments (PUD’s) |
Residential Captial Partners: Best for no down payment
Resident Capital Partners is another company that works well with any experience level and offers a fairly quick and flexible process. But what really makes them stand out is the option to finance up to 85% of the property value with no down payment. This makes it easier for you to preserve your cash flow for other expenses. Interest rates are adjustable based on a combination of the borrower’s profile and the property’s potential.
| Klavi rates and terms | |
|---|---|
| Interest rate | Fix and Flip (short term): 7.45%+ APR |
| Loan-to-value | Up to 80% APV (after repair value), 95% of purchase price, 100% rehab cost |
| Upfront fees | 2%-3% origination fee |
| Credit requirement | 640 |
| Investing experience | Qualifications based on the ARV and potential profit of the property itself. |
| Maximum loan amount | $3 million |
| Prepayment penalty | YES |
| Property types | Fix and flips, 2-4 unit rentals, detached and attached planned unit developments (PUD’s) |
What is a hard money loan?
A hard money loan is a type of short-term property financing provided by hard money lenders—typically private investors or companies. Unlike traditional mortgage loans, which have repayment periods of 15 to 30 years, hard money loans typically range from one to three years.
While hard money loans tend to have higher interest rates and fees than conventional mortgages, they offer significant advantages, including faster approval times and more flexible qualification criteria. Hard money lenders take on more risk, but they benefit from higher returns.
How do hard money loans work?
Hard money loans are asset-based, meaning hard money lenders primarily consider the value of the property being purchased rather than the borrower’s credit score. While a borrower’s financial history and experience still matter, the collateral (the property) plays the most significant role in securing the loan.
Since hard money lenders focus on tangible assets, they are not bound by the same strict regulations as banks and traditional lenders, allowing for faster and more flexible loan approvals
Common uses for hard money loans
Hard money lenders provide short-term hard money loans for various real estate investment strategies, including:
- Fix-and-flip projects: Investors use hard money loans to purchase, renovate, and quickly sell properties for a profit.
- Buy-Rehab-Rent-Refinance (BRRR) method: Investors use hard money loans to acquire and renovate rental properties before refinancing with a long-term mortgage.
- Foreclosure prevention: Homeowners facing foreclosure may use hard money loans to quickly secure funds and avoid losing their property.
- Bridge financing: Investors and businesses use hard money loans to bridge the gap between selling an old property and purchasing a new one.
Since hard money lenders are not bound by conventional mortgage rules, they can offer unique loan structures like no-income verification loans and interest-only payment options.
How to choose the right hard money lender
Selecting the right hard money lender is crucial for securing favorable loan terms. Here are five key factors to consider:
- Type of real estate project: Not all hard money lenders finance the same types of properties. Some specialize in fix and flip deals, while others focus on rental or commercial properties. Ensure the lender supports your investment strategy.
- Interest rates: Unlike traditional banks, hard money lenders set their own interest rates. Rates vary depending on the lender, property type and borrower’s risk profile. Comparing multiple lenders can help you secure the best deal.
- Loan-to-value (LTV) ratio: LTV ratios determine how much of a property’s value a lender is willing to finance. Most hard money lenders offer LTVs between 65% and 75% of the property’s value.
- Upfront fees: Hard money lenders charge fees ranging from 1% to 5% of the loan amount, often labeled as origination fees or points. Make sure to review all fees before committing to a lender.
- Borrower requirements: Some hard money lenders require a strong credit history and previous investment experience, while others are more flexible. Check the lender’s borrower qualifications to ensure you meet their requirements.
How do I install the Advanced Accordion Block Plugin?
To install the plugin, go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and search for “Advanced Accordion Block.” Click Install Now and then Activate. Once activated, the accordion block will be available in the WordPress editor. If installing manually, download the plugin from the WordPress repository, upload the ZIP file via Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin, and activate it.
How do I create an accordion using the plugin?
To add an accordion, open the WordPress editor and go to the page where you want to insert it. Click the “+” button to add a new block, search for “Advanced Accordion,” and select it. Once inserted, click “Add Accordion Item” to create multiple collapsible sections. Customize each item by adding a title, content, and adjusting settings like open/close behavior. Save or publish the page to apply changes.
Can I customize the appearance of the accordion?
Yes, the plugin offers extensive customization options. You can modify colors, typography, spacing, and borders to match your website’s design. The accordion behavior can also be adjusted, such as enabling auto-close, setting items to open by default, or allowing multiple sections to be expanded at once. For advanced styling, custom CSS can be applied through the WordPress Customizer or additional CSS settings in the block editor.
Can I use this plugin with Elementor, WPBakery, or other page builders?
Yes, the Advanced Accordion Block works seamlessly with Gutenberg and can be used inside Elementor using the Gutenberg widget. It is also compatible with WPBakery, Beaver Builder, and Divi, though in these builders, you may need to use shortcodes or embed the accordion within custom HTML blocks. To ensure smooth performance, keep your page builder and WordPress version up to date.
Why is my accordion not working properly?
If your accordion is not functioning correctly, check for plugin conflicts by deactivating other plugins one by one. Ensure that JavaScript is enabled on your site, as the accordion relies on it for expand/collapse functionality. If you are using a caching plugin, clear the cache and refresh the page. Some themes may override default styles, so applying custom CSS may help fix display issues. If the problem persists, enable WordPress debugging to identify any script errors or reach out to the plugin’s support team for further assistance.