Tampa Bay is an active flip market, with 1920s bungalows in Seminole Heights, postwar block homes across the suburbs and a steady flow of buyers relocating to the region. After the 2024 storms, flood rules and insurance now weigh on every budget.
In short: Our top pick for fix and flip financing in Tampa is LendingStreet. We fund up to 90% of cost (LTC) and up to 100% of the rehab on some programs, close in as little as 10 days and offer a 30-year DSCR refinance if you keep the property. Loans run from $150,000 to $5M+ across Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties.
Flippers choose LendingStreet because the loan is designed around the way a flip actually works. We lend $150,000 to $5M+ on residential investor property from single-family homes to 8 units, finance up to 90% of cost (LTC) and up to 100% of rehab on some programs, and can close in as little as 10 days on short-term, interest-only terms.
LendingStreet fits Tampa investors renovating bungalows and block homes, flippers working in Brandon, Riverview and Pasco County, operators running several projects at once and investors who want the option to hold.
When the work is done, you can sell, or keep the property and refinance into a 30-year DSCR rental loan with the same team, qualifying on the property's rent. That second option is something most short-term-only lenders cannot offer. Get a quote with the form below, or call (877) 298-1001 to talk through the deal.
Well-known fix and flip lenders include Dominion Financial, LendingOne, Lima One and RCN Capital. Compared scenario by scenario for investors in Tampa, FL, 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. |
Inside Tampa, Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, West Tampa, Sulphur Springs and the areas around Ybor City have 1910s to 1940s frame bungalows and later block homes that sell well once updated. South Tampa commands higher prices, and parts of it are low-lying. Town 'n' Country, Carrollwood and Temple Terrace have many 1960s to 1980s block homes.
East and south, Brandon, Riverview, Valrico and Plant City offer newer subdivisions and dated homes for cosmetic flips. Across the bay, St. Petersburg and Clearwater have older housing and strong demand, and Pasco County, including New Port Richey and Holiday, offers lower entry prices.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 flooded many coastal and low-lying homes around Tampa Bay. In FEMA flood zones, building departments apply the substantial improvement rule, often called the 50% rule: if repair or improvement costs reach half of the structure's market value, the home generally must meet current flood standards, which can mean elevation. Some local rules count improvements over several years. Ask the city or county how it applies the rule to your address before you budget.
Older Tampa homes often need roofs, electrical upgrades, plumbing replacement, termite and wood repair, and wind mitigation. Insurers look closely at roof age and system updates. Permits run through the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, St. Petersburg, Pinellas County or Pasco County depending on location.
Most Tampa flippers compare a lender like LendingStreet with a local bank or credit union and with a local hard money lender. The table below sets out the differences in general terms.
Florida banks and credit unions can be a good fit for borrowers with strong documented income and time, but investor programs and speed vary. Local hard money and private lenders are often fast, though fees and terms vary and they usually stop at the short-term loan. LendingStreet offers speed, high leverage and a DSCR refinance path together.
| What flippers need | LendingStreet | Typical bank or credit union | Typical local hard money lender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leverage on purchase and rehab | Up to 90% LTC and up to 100% of rehab on some programs | Often lower; varies by bank | Varies widely by lender |
| Closing speed | As little as 10 days | Often several weeks or longer | Often fast; varies |
| Loan size | $150,000 to $5M+ | Varies; investor lending limits are common | Varies by lender |
| Borrowing in an LLC | Standard on our investor loans | Varies; may require more paperwork | Usually allowed |
| Long-term option after the rehab | Refinance into a 30-year DSCR loan qualified on rent | Possible, but often requires tax returns and full income documentation | Usually short-term only |
| Where they lend | All 50 states and DC | Usually a local or regional footprint | Often local or regional |
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys a 1920s Seminole Heights bungalow for $340,000, outside a mapped flood zone, with a $90,000 rehab budget for a new roof, electrical, plumbing, kitchen, bath, refinished floors and paint.
The loan covers 85% of the purchase price ($289,000) plus 100% of the rehab ($90,000), for a total of $379,000. Against a total project cost of $430,000, that is about 88.1% loan-to-cost, inside the 90% limit on some programs. The investor brings $51,000 toward the purchase, about $8,500 in buyer closing costs and about $24,500 in holding costs over 6 months (interest, taxes, insurance, utilities), roughly $84,000 in all.
If the home sells for $545,000 and selling costs run about $38,200, the estimated profit before income taxes is about $43,800, roughly 52% on the cash invested. The same budget on a home in a flood zone could trigger the 50% rule, so confirm before you buy.
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $340,000 |
| Rehab budget | $90,000 |
| Total project cost | $430,000 |
| Loan (85% of purchase + 100% of rehab) | $379,000 |
| Loan-to-cost | About 88.1% |
| Buyer closing costs (estimate) | $8,500 |
| Holding costs, 6 months (estimate) | $24,500 |
| Investor cash in the deal | $84,000 |
| Resale price (after repair value) | $545,000 |
| Selling costs (estimate) | $38,200 |
| Estimated profit before income taxes | $43,800 |
Florida charges documentary stamp tax on deeds at $0.70 per $100 of the sale price in most counties, usually paid by the seller. Buyers who finance pay documentary stamp tax on the note at $0.35 per $100 and intangible tax of 0.2% on the mortgage, plus title, recording and lender costs. On a flip you pay buyer costs going in and deed stamps and commissions coming out.
Property taxes in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties reset toward market value after a sale, and investor-owned homes get no homestead exemption or assessment cap, so budget on the full rate, not the seller's bill. Insurers look closely at roof age, wind mitigation and flood zone, and a vacant-property or builder's risk policy may be needed during the rehab. Confirm current figures with your title company and agent.
Tampa demand is strong year round, but listings during the late summer and fall storm season can face more cautious buyers, and insurance costs affect what buyers can pay. Price to recent sales, plan your timeline with a buffer and keep records of permitted work.
If you hold, Tampa's rental demand can support a DSCR refinance on many homes. Our DSCR loans qualify on rent, with up to 80% LTV on a purchase and up to 75% on a cash-out refinance, and a 1.0x standard minimum DSCR.
Use this short checklist with any lender you are considering, including us.
LendingStreet's side of the checklist: up to 90% LTC and up to 100% rehab on some programs, 1.0x standard minimum DSCR for the long-term refinance with sub-1.0 programs where they fit, seasoning that varies by program, LLC borrowers welcome, a close in as little as 10 days and loan sizes from $150,000 to $5M+.
Send us the address, purchase price, rehab budget and resale estimate. We will size the loan on cost, flag flood or insurance items and come back with clear options. Get a quote with the form below, or call (877) 298-1001.
Our top pick is LendingStreet. We offer up to 90% LTC and up to 100% of rehab on some programs, closings in as little as 10 days and a DSCR refinance if you keep the home. Get a quote with the form below or call (877) 298-1001.
Yes. LendingStreet lends on investor property across Tampa Bay, including Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties, and in all 50 states and DC.
It can in FEMA flood zones. If improvement or repair costs reach half of the structure's market value, the home generally must meet current flood standards. Check with the building department first.
In as little as 10 days when the file is complete. Insurance and title timing usually set the pace.
Yes. Refinance into a 30-year DSCR loan with us that qualifies on rent. Seasoning varies by program.
Yes. LLC borrowers are standard on our business-purpose investor loans.
Yes. We lend across Tampa Bay on 1 to 8 unit investor property.
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