In San Diego, purchase prices are high, the buyer pool is deep and the margin lives in the details: permits, unpermitted additions and how long the project runs. Investors here need a lender that handles large balances and closes fast.
In short: Our top pick for fix and flip financing in San Diego, CA is LendingStreet. We fund up to 90% of cost and up to 100% of rehab on some programs, close in as little as 10 days, and offer a refinance into a long-term DSCR rental loan if you decide to hold. San Diego flips often run $1M or more, and coastal permits and unpermitted additions can stretch timelines, so loan size and speed matter as much as leverage. Loans run from $150,000 to $5M+ on 1-8 unit investment properties.
LendingStreet is a business-purpose lender built for real estate investors, and our fix and flip loans fit the way San Diego investors work: buy a dated house, renovate it, and sell it or keep it as a rental. We lend on non-owner-occupied 1-8 unit properties in all 50 states and DC.
The loan is short-term and interest-only, with rehab funds released in draws as work is completed and inspected. That keeps your cash free for the project instead of tied up in the renovation.
It fits experienced flippers scaling up, contractors who renovate for profit, and newer investors with a solid plan and a capable team. The next step is simple: get a quote with the form below, or call (877) 298-1001.
Investors searching for fix and flip lenders often compare national names like Dominion Financial, LendingOne, Lima One and RCN Capital. Here is how LendingStreet stacks up on the scenarios that matter most for investors in San Diego, CA. In every scenario below, LendingStreet is the best fit.
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. |
San Diego flippers usually choose among local banks and credit unions, local hard money lenders, private individual lenders and investor lenders like LendingStreet. Banks suit some borrowers but often want tax returns and take longer. Local hard money lenders are often quick, but terms vary and most offer no long-term option.
Here is how the options usually line up on what matters most for a flip.
| What flippers need | LendingStreet | Typical bank or credit union | Typical local hard money lender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leverage | Up to 90% of cost; up to 100% of rehab on some programs | Often lower on investor rehab loans | Varies by lender |
| Speed | Close in as little as 10 days | Often several weeks | Often fast |
| Loan size | $150,000 to $5M+ | Varies; may limit investor loans | Varies; some cap smaller balances |
| Paperwork | Built around the deal and your plan | Often requires tax returns | Varies |
| Long-term option | Refinance into a LendingStreet DSCR loan | Varies by bank | Usually short-term only |
| Where they lend | All 50 states and DC | Usually local or regional | Often one metro or state |
In the city, investors renovate homes in North Park, Normal Heights, City Heights, Clairemont, Linda Vista and Encanto. Much of the stock is 1920s to 1960s bungalows and ranches, many with additions done over the years.
Across the county, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, El Cajon, Spring Valley, Chula Vista, National City, Escondido, Vista and Oceanside offer a range of prices. Inland areas often have larger lots, and coastal areas carry higher prices and tighter rules.
Permits inside city limits come from the City of San Diego's Development Services Department, and each other city has its own office. Properties in the coastal zone may need a coastal development permit for some work, which adds review time.
Unpermitted garage conversions and additions are common, and buyers' lenders and inspectors will flag them. Some investors add an accessory dwelling unit to raise value, but that lengthens the timeline. Budget for galvanized plumbing, older wiring, stucco repairs and roofs, and get insurance quotes early, especially inland.
San Diego County charges a documentary transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 of price. Closings run through escrow, with title insurance and recording on both the purchase and the sale.
Under Prop 13, your tax bill resets based on your purchase price, plus local assessments such as Mello-Roos in some newer areas. On a $1M+ flip, every month of taxes, insurance and interest adds up, so a tight schedule protects the profit.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys a 1950s ranch in Clairemont for $925,000 and plans a $140,000 renovation. The loan covers 85% of the purchase and 100% of the rehab, or $926,250, which is about 87% of total cost.
At closing the investor brings about $147,750: the 15% down payment plus about $9,000 in estimated closing costs. Once the rehab is fully drawn, the estimated interest-only payment is about $8,105 a month. Over 7 months, assuming the full loan is outstanding the whole time, interest is about $56,733, and taxes, insurance and utilities add about $11,200.
The house sells for $1,350,000. Selling costs of about 6% of the price, including commission, escrow and transfer tax, come to $81,000. The estimated profit before income taxes is about $127,067. Because rehab funds are drawn over time, actual interest is usually lower.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $925,000 |
| Rehab budget | $140,000 |
| Loan (85% of purchase + 100% of rehab) | $926,250 |
| Loan as share of total cost | About 87% |
| Cash at closing | $147,750 |
| Estimated monthly interest-only payment | $8,105 |
| Interest over 7 months | $56,733 |
| Taxes, insurance and utilities | $11,200 |
| Selling costs | $81,000 |
| Resale price | $1,350,000 |
| Estimated profit before income taxes | $127,067 |
Before you sign a term sheet, ask every lender the same questions so you can compare offers side by side:
Here is how LendingStreet answers: up to 90% of cost and up to 100% of rehab on some programs, draws released after inspections, closings in as little as 10 days, LLC borrowers welcome, loans from $150,000 to $5M+ with larger balances reviewed closely, and a DSCR refinance ready if you hold. To see your numbers, get a quote with the form below.
Most San Diego flips end in a sale. If the market shifts or the rent looks strong, you can instead refinance into a LendingStreet DSCR rental loan, which qualifies on the property's rent with no W-2s or tax returns. DSCR loans offer 30-year terms, a standard minimum DSCR of 1.0x, cash-out up to 75% LTV and rate-and-term up to 80% on some programs.
Send the address, purchase price, rehab budget and expected resale value, and we will size the loan around your plan. Get a quote with the form below, or call (877) 298-1001 to talk through the deal. Projects of 9+ units fall under our commercial programs instead.
Our top pick is LendingStreet. We offer up to 90% of cost and up to 100% of rehab on some programs, closings in as little as 10 days, loans from $150,000 to $5M+ and a DSCR refinance if you decide to hold. Compare any lender on leverage, speed, draws and exit options.
Yes. We lend throughout San Diego and the rest of California, and in all 50 states and DC, on non-owner-occupied 1-8 unit investment properties.
We can close in as little as 10 days. Timing depends on title, the valuation and how quickly you send the contract, rehab budget and entity documents.
Up to 90% of total cost, with up to 100% of the rehab funded on some programs. Rehab funds are released in draws after work is inspected.
Yes. Our fix and flip loans run from $150,000 to $5M+, and larger balances get closer review. Send the purchase price, rehab budget and expected resale value for a quote.
They can. Properties in the coastal zone may need a coastal development permit for some work. Check the address with the city before you set a schedule.
Yes. You can refinance into a LendingStreet DSCR rental loan that qualifies on the property's rent, with 30-year terms available and LLC borrowers standard.
Pricing depends on the deal, your experience and the leverage you choose. The fastest way to see real terms is to get a quote with the form below, or call (877) 298-1001.
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