Birmingham flips combine affordable older housing, low property taxes and strong suburbs. The deals that work best have a clear resale plan or a solid rental fallback.
In short: For Birmingham, AL investors, LendingStreet stands out as the top pick: loans from $150,000 to $5M+, up to 90% of cost, up to 100% of rehab on some programs, and closings in as little as 10 days, plus a DSCR refinance when holding beats selling. In Birmingham, where low property taxes make holding easier, that backup exit matters.
Our top pick is LendingStreet because flippers need speed, leverage and a backup exit, and we offer all three. Fix and flip loans run from $150,000 to $5M+, we can fund up to 100% of rehab on some programs, and the finished property can move into a DSCR rental loan.
It fits Birmingham investors buying, renovating and reselling 1-8 unit homes, from first projects with an experienced contractor to repeat flippers running several jobs at once. To get started, send your deal through the form below or call (877) 298-1001.
Well-known fix and flip lenders include Dominion Financial, LendingOne, Lima One and RCN Capital. Compared scenario by scenario for investors in Birmingham, AL, LendingStreet comes out as the stronger choice, and one application covers it.
Figures for other lenders are as stated on each lender's own website as of November 2026. Lender terms change, so verify current terms with any lender before you apply. Ready to see your numbers? Use the form below or call (877) 298-1001.
| Scenario | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fix and flip above $3M | LendingStreet | Our fix and flip program runs from $150,000 to $5M+. LendingOne states fix and flip loans up to $3,000,000, and RCN Capital states up to $2M. |
| Flip of a 5-8 unit building | LendingStreet | We finance 1-8 unit investor properties. RCN Capital states its fix and flip loans cover 1-4 family homes, condos and townhomes. |
| Property in any state, including DC | LendingStreet | We lend in all 50 states and DC. Lima One states it lends across 46 states, and Dominion Financial lists 49 states plus DC. |
Investors buy in Avondale, Crestwood, Woodlawn, Forest Park, Southside, Norwood and parts of west Birmingham, along with suburbs like Homewood, Hoover, Bessemer, Trussville and Fairfield. Older homes, many from the early and mid 1900s, sit next to newer suburban stock in Shelby County.
Demand from health care, banking and the University of Alabama at Birmingham supports buyers and renters. Resale prices can vary a lot from one neighborhood to the next, sometimes within a few blocks, so work with very local comparable sales and walk the street before you set your resale value.
Hilly lots, older foundations, roof and drainage issues, outdated electrical and galvanized plumbing are common. Pre-1978 homes may need lead-safe work practices.
Permits go through the City of Birmingham or the suburb where the house is, and some suburbs have their own inspection rules. Check timelines before you set a schedule.
Below is a fair comparison of LendingStreet with the lender types common in Birmingham. Private individuals also lend on flips, with terms that vary from deal to deal.
| What flippers need | LendingStreet | Typical bank or credit union | Typical local hard money lender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast closing on competitive deals | Yes, as little as 10 days | Often too slow | Often fast |
| Leverage on cost | Up to 90% LTC | Lower in most cases | Fees and terms vary |
| Rehab budget funded | Up to 100% on some programs | Limited | Varies |
| Refinance into a rental loan | Yes, DSCR loan qualified on rent | May need full income review | Not usually offered |
| Entity borrowers | LLCs are standard | Varies | Usually allowed |
Alabama has relatively low property taxes, which helps carrying costs. Alabama charges a deed tax of $0.50 per $500 of value and a mortgage recording tax, so ask your title company for both figures on the purchase and resale.
Because entry prices in parts of Birmingham are low, some houses fall under our $150,000 minimum loan size. The best fits are heavier rehabs, small multi-units and homes in higher-value areas such as Homewood, Crestwood and Trussville, where the total project cost clears that bar.
Storms and tornadoes can affect insurance costs, so get a quote early. Summer heat affects roof and HVAC scheduling, and the spring market is often strong for resales.
Say you buy a 1950s brick home in Crestwood that needs a new roof, updated electrical and plumbing, a new kitchen and two baths. The purchase price is $150,000 and the rehab budget is $60,000, for a total cost of $210,000.
At 90% of cost, the loan is $189,000. It covers the full $60,000 rehab through draws and $129,000 of the purchase, so you bring $21,000 down plus closing costs. Estimated interest-only cost is about $8,700 over 6 months, assuming the rehab is drawn evenly. If the house sells for $275,000 after assumed closing and selling costs, the estimated profit before taxes is about $32,500.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. Your terms, costs and values will differ.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $150,000 |
| Rehab budget | $60,000 |
| Total project cost | $210,000 |
| Loan at 90% of cost | $189,000 |
| Rehab funded by the loan (100%) | $60,000 |
| Purchase funded by the loan | $129,000 |
| Cash down at purchase | $21,000 |
| Estimated interest-only cost over the hold | $8,700 over 6 months |
| Assumed purchase closing costs (3%) | $4,500 |
| Assumed selling costs (7%) | $19,300 |
| Resale value after repairs | $275,000 |
| Estimated profit before taxes | $32,500 |
With low property taxes, many Birmingham homes can work as rentals. A finished house can refinance into a DSCR rental loan that qualifies on the property's rent, so a slow resale does not have to sink the project.
A DSCR refinance with LendingStreet uses the property's rent to qualify, allows cash-out up to 75% LTV, requires a 620 minimum credit score and offers 30-year terms. Seasoning rules vary by program, so ask early.
Ask every lender the same questions so you can compare offers fairly:
LendingStreet answers them this way: up to 90% of cost, up to 100% of rehab on some programs, closings in as little as 10 days, inspection-based draws, LLC borrowing, a 1.0x standard DSCR minimum on the refinance with sub-1.0 programs available, seasoning that varies by program, and loans from $150,000 to $5M+.
Share your deal with the form below, including the rehab scope and your exit plan, or call (877) 298-1001. We will review it and get back to you quickly.
Our top pick is LendingStreet. We lend up to 90% of cost, fund up to 100% of rehab on some programs, close in as little as 10 days and offer a DSCR refinance if you decide to hold. Get a quote with the form below.
Yes. LendingStreet lends on 1-8 unit investment property in Birmingham, across Alabama and in all 50 states and DC. Call (877) 298-1001 or use the form below.
LendingStreet can close in as little as 10 days. Having your contract, scope of work and entity documents ready helps.
Up to 100% of rehab on some programs, released through draws after inspections, within an overall limit of up to 90% of total cost.
Alabama's property taxes are relatively low, which can keep carrying costs down during the rehab. Confirm the rate for your address.
It can work, especially with low taxes. Run the DSCR numbers on the finished house before you decide.
Yes. LendingStreet offers DSCR rental loans that qualify on the property's rent, with 30-year terms and no W-2s or tax returns. Seasoning varies by program.
Experience helps, and terms can depend on it. First-time flippers with an experienced contractor, a clear budget and a realistic exit can still apply.
2-3 competing quotes from 30+ capital sources. No credit pull. No commitment.
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