North Carolina is a top destination for both new and existing companies to expand. It has ranked one of the top 3 states to do business for 5 years in a row. With that crown comes growth… and lots of it. Every day I talk to workers from all over the nation that are moving to North Carolina.
I know from personal experience that this is leading to solid opportunities in the single family home real estate market (my focus). Developers and fix n flip renovators like myself can barely keep up. But, with this demand comes the need for capital. Easy to access, well priced, short term hard money loans. Connections with the right lenders allows me to move much faster than I previously thought possible.
The key is finding the right lenders. So, just who are the best hard money lenders in NC?
My List of the Best Hard Money Lenders In North Carolina
- Loan Mountain Capital (My pick – good rates, fast closing, easy communication)
- Carolina Hard Money
- LYNK Capital
- Lima One Capital
- Oakwood Lending
- Washington Capital Partners
- New Silver
- 14th Street Capital
Loan Mountain Capital
Loan Mountain Capital is my go-to lender for builders and real estate investors in the Southeastern U.S. They’ve got real experience in building and investing, which means they understand firsthand what their clients are going through and what they need to succeed.
Key Highlights:
- Versatile Loan Options: Loan Mountain Capital offers loans for all sorts of real estate projects, whether it’s fix and flip, building new houses, or working on rental properties.
- Quick Loan Approval: They make decisions fast, often in just one business day. They care more about your project’s potential than just your credit score.
- Flexible Loan Terms: Their loans usually last from 6 to 24 months, giving you the time you need to get your project done.
- Straightforward and Competitive Rates: They’re clear about their costs and try to keep rates fair, matching what’s going on in the market. There’s no “junk fees,” meaning LMC will not stab you in the back with some surprise cost.
- Ongoing Support: They stick with you through the whole loan period, always ready to help and never passing you off to someone else.
In short, Loan Mountain Capital is all about fast, practical help, with a real understanding of what builders and investors are dealing with.
If interested, give them a shout.
Carolina Hard Money (Carolina Capital Management): Your Trusted Partner in Real Estate Financing
Carolina Hard Money, the hard money lender wing of Carolina Capital Management, is part of the American Association of Private Lenders. They support real estate developers and small builders in their efforts to grow wealth and generate consistent income in the North Carolina area.
What sets them apart from most other lenders is their own experience as real estate investors, giving them a deep understanding of their clients’ goals and challenges.
Besides commercial hard money loans, their loan officers provide hard money rehab loans, ground-up construction loans, and consultation services.
Loan Highlights:
- Diverse Property Financing: Private loans for single-family homes, multi-family properties, 5+ unit apartment complexes, mixed-use spaces, or multi-tenanted commercial properties.
- Loan Approval Criteria: Approval is based on your credit history, score, liquid assets, credit card balances, and the property’s value.
- Loan Terms: They offer interest-only loans with durations between 6-12 months. It’s noteworthy that their average loan for rehab lasts about 190 days.
- Competitive Rates: With interest rates oscillating between 10.99% and 13.75%, they offer some of the most competitive rates in the market.
- Rehab & Rent: For those with a vision to rehab and rent properties, Carolina Hard Money ensures a seamless refinancing process post the completion of repairs and final inspections.
LYNK Capital: A Trusted Partner for Real Estate Deals
LYNK Capital has emerged as a go-to choice for real estate investing in North Carolina, thanks to its combination of flexible loan terms, competitive rates, and a streamlined loan origination process.
They have an impressive 7-10 day loan closure window, making them a top pick for investors seeking both speed and value.
At the helm of LYNK Capital is Ben Lyons, a seasoned professional with an illustrious 37-year career in real estate and investing. At 25, Ben had amassed a portfolio of 100 rental properties and had already laid the foundation of a million-dollar lending enterprise.
For a real estate investor looking for North Carolina hard money lenders, it doesn’t get much better than a team full of people with personal experience in the local real estate market.
Diverse Loan Portfolio:
- Residential Renovation Loans: Perfect for investors looking to breathe new life into residential properties.
- Fix & Flip Loans: With rates starting at a competitive 9.50%, these lower interest rate loans are a boon for investors. They can benefit from up to 95% Loan-to-Cost (LTC) and 75% Loan-to-Value (LTV). What sets LYNK Capital apart is their rapid 7-10 day closing time and the added bonus of no application fees.
- Rental & Bridge Loans: Starting from rates as low as 7.25%, these loans offer terms ranging from 2 to 30 years and up to 80% LTV. Whether you’re looking to purchase or cash out, LYNK Capital has got you covered.
- Construction Loans: Whether it’s a new condo building or a custom home, LYNK Capital’s expertise shines through in their construction loan offerings.
Lima One Capital: Your Trusted Partner in Real Estate Investment
Lima One Capital is a quality lender in the North Carolina real estate investment sector. Their comprehensive suite of services includes a variety of investment property loans, with a special focus on fix and flip projects, bridge loans, and their distinctive Fix2Rent® program.
Key Highlights:
- Down payments for purchase and rehab projects as low as 10%.
- Close and fund loans in just 7-10 business days.
- Loan terms that last up to 13 months, providing ample time for project completion.
Whether you’re looking at residential or commercial properties, Lima One Capital has got you covered. Their residential loans focus on non-owner occupied single-family homes (1-4 units), while their commercial offerings are perfect for multifamily properties with 5 units or more.
For those considering their FixNFlip product, interest rates start at a competitive 12%. But here’s the kicker: based on your experience, especially the number of successful flips you’ve done in the last 12-24 months, you could enjoy rates as low as 7.99%.
Lima One Capital isn’t just about lending either; they’re about leading.
Their team of housing experts is always on the pulse of the investment property market, analyzing trends and offering invaluable insights for the year ahead.
To round off their comprehensive service package, they provide investors with a range of resources, from building materials to exclusive access to off-market properties.
Oakwood Lending: A Trusted Partner for Real Estate Investors in North Carolina
Since its inception in 2015, Oakwood Lending has firmly established itself as a trusted ally for real estate investors in North Carolina. With a clear mission to empower investors, they ensure swift closures on promising investment opportunities.
Whether you’re a wholesaler, a house flipper, or a landlord investor, Oakwood Lending has tailored solutions to meet your unique needs.
Unlike many other hard money lenders, Oakwood Lending is committed to building lasting relationships with their clients. Instead of just offering hard money loans, they provide personalized assistance every step of the way.
This relationship-based approach is evident in how they actively guide clients in evaluating potential rehab and wholesale deals.
When it comes to loan terms, Oakwood Lending is both competitive and transparent:
- Interest Rates and Fees: Starting as low as 12%, with 2 point fees.
- Loan-to-Value (LTV): Maximum LTV ratio is capped at 70%.
- Borrower Eligibility: Oakwood Lending extends loans to business entities rather than individuals. They have a preference for borrowers with a solid background in general business and real estate.
- Application Process: The loan application involves a credit check.
- Property Valuation: In most cases, no appraisal is needed.
Washington Capital Partners: Redefining Hard Money Lending
Washington Capital Partners is on a transformative journey to reshape the hard money loans market in North Carolina. They’re dedicated to delivering faster, smarter, and adaptable funding solutions. They raise the bar for all hard money lenders.
As a direct private money lenders, Washington Capital Partners takes pride in managing every private money loan internally, promising a smooth experience for borrowers.
Interest rates hinge on the borrower’s track record and creditworthiness. Their online Hard Money Loan Calculator empowers users to estimate interest rates based on their credentials and credit scores.
Some Loan Services at a Glance:
- Acquisition-Only
- Fix & Flip loans
- Rental loans
- Cash-Out Refinancing
- New Construction
They offer hard money loans for a diverse range of properties: single-family, multifamily, mixed-use, and commercial, catering to a vast array of real estate ventures.
New Silver: Hard Money Loans for Real Estate Enthusiasts
New Silver has carved a niche as a distinguished hard money lender, predominantly serving real estate investors looking for hard money loans in North Carolina.
They’re branded as an elite hard money lender, driven by a team of real estate experts. Their variety of hard money loans reflect their deep understanding of investor requirements.
Loan Portfolio:
- Fix & Flip: Ideal for house flippers, this loan supports property purchase, revamp, and resale. It boasts interest rates from 10 – 12.75%, a Loan-To-Cost of up to 90%, and terms up to 24 months.
- Rent: Targeted at long-term investors, these 30-year loans are for stabilized rental assets. They come with rates from 7.5% and a loan-to-purchase ratio of up to 80%.
- Ground Up: Crafted for residential builders, these loans offer up to 90% Loan-to-Cost (LTC) and interest rates between 10 to 13.25%.
- Personal: Beyond property, New Silver provides personal loans from $1,000 to $100,000, starting at a 7% interest rate.
New Silver’s ethos revolves around speed, efficiency, and clarity. While they specialize in single-family residential loans, they’re adept at handling multi-family and commercial projects.
Hard money loans can be approved online in just 5 minutes. No income verification needed, minimum credit score is 650, and you get an an immediate proof of funds letter.
14th Street Capital: Precision North Carolina Hard Money Loans
14th Street Capital shines as a North Carolina hard money lender, offering private money loans solutions for the particular demands of real estate investors. Whether it’s long-term property investments or short-term fix and flip ventures, they have a solution tailored for you.
The hallmark of 14th Street Capital is its swift, efficient, and transparent loan process.
Most loans are handled within 5 – 10 days, with initial approvals often granted in even less time.
Loan Portfolio:
Their hard money loan suite is diverse, catering to multiple investment scenarios:
- Fix and Flip Loans: For those keen on short-term property revamps and sales.
- Rental Loans: Designed for investors targeting consistent rental returns.
- Landlord Loans: Offering attractive rates and low down payments to boost rehab property profits.
Their loans come with competitive interest rates between 9% and 15%. To balance risks, they also apply points or origination fees. Many of their hard money loan terms average 1 year, but this can be extended to 2-5 years to accommodate investor timelines.
For eligibility, 14th Street Capital doesn’t have strict credit score minimums.
Locations serviced:
I’ve worked with lenders all over the great tar heel state. Us North Carolinians have so many cities with great potential.
Over the decades I’ve worked real estate investment deals in Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, Asheville, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, High Point, Wilmington, Hickory, and even Gastonia.
Lenders are happy to work with all locations as long as they check the right boxes for approval.
The 8 Step Checklist to Choose The Best Hard Money Lender
Choosing a money lender isn’t much different from finding an investor to help you buy a business. Here are eight things you need to look at before choosing the best hard money lender for your project.
- Interest Rates and Fees – Compare rates among different lenders to ensure competitive terms.
- Loan-to-Value (LTV) and After-Repair-Value (ARV) Ratios – Check lender criteria for how much they’re willing to loan relative to LTV or ARV.
- Reputation and Reviews – Seek reviews from past clients, check online testimonials, and consult industry peers.
- Transparency and Customer Service – Clear communication, responsiveness to inquiries, and a willingness to clarify any doubts are key for any collaboration.
- Loan Flexibility – Ask about prepayment penalties, loan extensions, and refinancing options.
- Speed of Processing – Can the lender provide funds within the required timeframe?
- Documentation and Requirements – While hard money lenders typically have less stringent documentation requirements than banks, make sure you have what’s required.
- Loan Size and Limits – Can they provide what you need for your project?
Your Turn
These are some of the best North Carolina hard money lenders, and they’re ready to fully support your investment property journey to accompany this market growth.
Hard money loans combined with the buoyant real estate market in NC can mean a rapid payday with a well planned fix&flip project. Or hey – maybe you just want to change the scenery to a tech-friendly neighborhood.
Using the capital management companies mentioned in this article, you can get your NC real estate investment venture started on a good footing. Good luck!
Updated: August 23, 2024