Flipping houses for profit takes capital, and fix-and-flip loans provide the financing real estate investors need. These short-term loans are designed for buying and renovating properties to sell at a higher price point.
For California real estate investors, fix-and-flip loans offer quick access to funding so deals don’t fall through waiting for traditional financing. With the ability to tap up to 100% of renovation costs, investors can take on more projects.
Several national online lenders and local California lenders offer fix-and-flip loans with competitive rates. Read on to learn how to find the best fix-and-flip loan for your next California rehab.
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How to find the best fix-and-flip loans in California
For the most part, getting a fix-and-flip loan in California is similar to getting a loan in other parts of the country. Because the state is massive, you’ll have a fair share of national and local lenders to choose from.
Our editorial team spent hours researching the best national and local lenders. Based on our research, these are the best fix-and-flip loans in the Golden State. Click the lender’s name in the table below to see more details about its California fix-and-flip loan options.
| Lender | Starting APR* | Best for |
| Kiavi | 9.25% | No appraisals |
| Flip Funding | 9.99% | First-time investors |
| LendingOne | 7.49% | No interest charges on unspent money |
| North Coast | N/A | Fast funding |
| Westpark Loans | N/A | Down payment assistance |
| California Hard Money | N/A | Same-day prequalification |
Fix-and-flip loans in California
All of our top picks for fix-and-flip loans have flexible terms and transparent eligibility requirements. Read on to see which lender might be best for your next California rehab project.
Kiavi
Best for no appraisals
- No income verification or appraisals required
- Prequalify online with a soft credit pull
- Doesn’t charge prepayment penalties or exit points
Kiavi is a direct private lender that provides financing for real estate investors, including bridge loans and rental loans for fix-and-flip projects. It advertises fast timelines for loan approvals and funding, with the ability to get loans funded in as little as 10 days in some cases.
Kiavi offers reduced fees and even faster closing times for real estate investors who have exited at least five flips in the past 24 months. It’s worth looking into if you’re an experienced flipper.
- Loan amount: $100,000 – $2.5 million
- Minimum credit score disclosed? No
- Repayment terms: 12, 18, or 24 months
- Maximum loan-to-value: 95%
- Maximum after-repair-value (expected market value after renovations): 80%
- Maximum financing for rehab costs: 100%
- Closing speed: 10 business days
Flip Funding
Best for first-time investors
- No flipping experience required for approval
- Fix-and-flip refinancing available
- Interest rates start at 9.99%
Flip Funding is a national lender that provides loans in California and many other states. It’s a solid option for first-time investors because it doesn’t require previous flipping experience.
In addition to flip-and-fix loans, Flip Funding offers bridge loans, rental loans, new construction loans, mixed-use loans, and commercial loans. We like that Flip Funding lists its beginning interest rates and credit score requirements online. This makes it easy to gauge whether you’ll qualify.
- Loan amount: $150,000 – $5 million
- Minimum credit score: 620
- Repayment terms: 12 – 24 months
- Maximum loan-to-value: 90%
- Maximum after-repair-value: 70%
- Maximum financing for rehab costs: 100%
- Closing speed: 10 days
LendingOne
Best for no interest charges on unspent money
- Rates start at 7.49%
- No prepayment penalties
LendingOne is a private lender that specializes in working with California flippers. Its loan limits go up to $10 million, which is more than other lenders on our list. This maximum makes LendingOne ideal if you’re flipping in a high-cost-of-living area, such as Los Angeles or San Francisco. LendingOne services loans in 45 states.
- Loan amount: $75,000 – $10 million
- Minimum credit score: 680
- Repayment terms: 12 months
- Maximum loan-to-value: 85%
- Maximum after-repair-value: 75%
- Maximum financing for rehab costs: 100%
- Closing speed: 10 business days
North Coast Financial
Best for fast funding
- No appraisal fees in most cases
- Offers same-day approvals
- Can fund loans in less than a week
North Coast Financial is an experienced California lender offering fix-and-flip loans up to $3 million with funding in three to five days. Most loans have terms starting at 12 months, but North Coast Financial has terms as short as six months. This makes it an excellent option if you need to close and resell properties quickly.
North Coast lends throughout California, including major metro areas. Experienced flippers can get additional financing for rehab costs.
- Loan amount: $30,000 – $3 million
- Minimum credit score disclosed? No
- Repayment terms: 6 – 12 months
- Maximum loan-to-value: 75%
- Maximum after-repair-value: Not disclosed
- Maximum financing for rehab costs: Not disclosed
- Closing speed: 3 – 5 business days
Westpark Loans
Best for down payment assistance programs
- Six-month loan extensions available
- Accepts credit scores as low as 600
Based in Irvine, California, Westpark Loans is a local lender offering fix-and-flip loans up to $5 million for single-family and multi-family properties. Terms differ based on the property type. But in general, it lends up to 90% of the purchase price plus 100% of renovation costs, not exceeding 75% of the after-repair value (ARV).
If you lack the cash needed to close a real estate deal, you could qualify for Westpark’s Down Payment Assistance Program. Through this program, Westpark will cover your missing down payment amount in exchange for a 5% share of the ARV. Westpark also accepts credit scores as low as 600, a lower minimum than other lenders on our list.
- Loan amount: $50,000 – $3 million
- Minimum credit score: 600
- Repayment terms: 12, 18, or 24 months
- Maximum loan-to-value: 90%
- Maximum after-repair-value: 75%
- Maximum financing for rehab costs: 100%
- Closing speed: Not disclosed
California Hard Money Direct
Best for same-day prequalification
- No prepayment penalties
- Longer repayment periods up to 24 months available
California Hard Money Direct provides fix-and-flip loans for properties in these areas: Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, San Mateo, Santa Clara Counties, and Ventura.
Fees start at 1.5 points and vary based on the size of your loan. Once your repayment term ends, you’ll pay off the rest of your balance using a balloon payment—meaning you pay the remaining balance all at once.
- Loan amount: $200,000 – $1.5 million
- Minimum credit score disclosed? No
- Repayment terms: 12, 18, or 24 months (0.5% interest added for 18 and 24-month terms)
- Maximum loan-to-value: 80%
- Maximum after-repair-value: Not disclosed
- Maximum financing for rehab costs: 100%
- Closing speed: 9 business days
How to choose the best California fix-and-flip loan
The right fix-and-flip lender will offer the competitive pricing and quick capital you need for a successful rehab. Use these tips to find the right provider for you:
- Pick a lender that specializes in fix-and-flip financing. This list is a terrific place to begin your search. Also, network with local real estate investment associations or local flippers to get their recommendations.
- Check eligibility requirements. Every lender sets its own requirements, including minimum credit scores, down payment amounts, and whether you need past flipping experience. Choose a lender that aligns with your situation.
- Review loan terms. Ensure the repayment period, loan amount, and closing costs match your needs.
- Apply. Once you’ve found a loan you like, submit your project plan and property information. Lenders will evaluate your creditworthiness and past flipping experience, as well as the home’s purchase price, rehab budget, and after-repair value.
- Close on the loan. You’ll finalize loan documents once your lender completes its property inspection and appraisal (if required). After this, you can start renovations and resell for a profit.