Washington, DC flips are rowhouse projects: higher purchase prices, bigger rehab budgets, strict permits and some of the highest closing taxes in the region. That makes leverage and a lender that can handle large balances more important here than almost anywhere.
In short: Our top pick for fix and flip loans in Washington, DC 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 lend from $150,000 to $5M+, which covers large rowhouse rehabs and small 2-8 unit conversions. A DSCR rental refinance is available if you would rather hold.
Why investors choose LendingStreet in Washington, DC: a fix and flip loan built for investors, from $150,000 to $5M+, sized at up to 90% of cost with up to 100% of rehab funded on some programs, for 1-8 unit residential projects held in an LLC or your own name.
DC rehab budgets often run into six figures, so having the rehab funded through draws, rather than out of pocket, can be the difference between doing one project at a time and doing several.
Speed matters on competitive listings, so closings can happen in as little as 10 days. The loan is short-term and interest-only, and a refinance into a 30-year DSCR loan is available if the numbers favor holding. Request a quote with 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 Washington, DC, 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. |
Rowhouse flipping is concentrated in Petworth, Brightwood, Brookland, Eckington, Bloomingdale, Trinidad, Hill East and parts of Columbia Heights, where early twentieth century brick rowhouses can be renovated or reconfigured. East of the river, Congress Heights, Hillcrest, Deanwood and Historic Anacostia offer lower entry prices and detached homes as well as rowhouses.
Some investors add a legal basement or second unit to create a two-unit property. Zoning, building code and permit rules decide whether that is possible on a given lot, so check before you buy.
Most DC flip stock is attached brick rowhouses that are 80 to 120 years old. Common items include structural repairs, new electrical and plumbing, basement underpinning to gain ceiling height, roofs and full kitchen and bath remodels. Work on party walls and shared structure needs careful engineering.
Permits are issued by the DC Department of Buildings, and many neighborhoods are historic districts where exterior changes go through historic preservation review. If you buy a tenant-occupied property, DC tenant purchase rights can apply, and vacant or blighted properties can be taxed at much higher rates. Confirm current rules with the District before you buy.
There is no single type of lender that fits every flipper, but the differences are predictable. Here is a fair, general comparison for Washington, DC investors.
| What flippers need | LendingStreet | Typical local bank | Typical local hard money lender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leverage | Up to 90% of cost (LTC) on some programs | Often a larger down payment | Varies widely by lender |
| Rehab funding | Up to 100% of rehab on some programs, paid in draws | Rehab loans can be limited or slow | Often funded, terms vary |
| Closing speed | As little as 10 days | Often several weeks or more | Often fast |
| Income documents | Deal-focused review, no W-2 qualifying | Often requires tax returns | Usually light |
| LLC borrowers | Standard | Varies by bank | Usually allowed |
| Loan size | $150,000 to $5M+ | Varies, often conservative | Varies |
| Exit option | Sell or refinance into a DSCR rental loan | Separate application | Usually short-term only, no long-term option |
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys a dated Petworth rowhouse for $520,000 and budgets $160,000 for a full renovation: structural repairs, new systems, kitchen, three baths and a finished basement. LendingStreet funds 90% of total cost.
Buy-side closing costs include the investor's share of DC recordation and transfer taxes, title and settlement fees. Holding costs are the investor's own monthly budget for loan interest, taxes, insurance and utilities over a seven-month project. Resale figures are estimates; check recent sales.
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $520,000 |
| Rehab budget | $160,000 |
| Total project cost | $680,000 |
| Loan at 90% of cost | $612,000 |
| Investor share of cost | $68,000 |
| Estimated buy-side closing costs | $18,000 |
| Cash needed at closing (estimate) | $86,000 |
| Holding costs, 7 months at $6,000 | $42,000 |
| After-repair resale price | $880,000 |
| Selling costs at 7% of resale | $61,600 |
| Estimated profit before taxes | $78,400 |
The District charges both a deed recordation tax and a transfer tax, each on a tiered schedule that rises at higher prices. Who pays what is negotiated, but on a flip you typically carry part of these costs on the purchase and part on the sale. Add title insurance and settlement fees on both ends.
Permit review, especially in historic districts, can take time, so DC flips often run longer than suburban ones. Plan for several months or more and build that into your holding budget. Confirm current rates with your settlement attorney.
A flip that does not sell on schedule is not a failure if you have a rental exit. LendingStreet can refinance the finished property into a DSCR loan that qualifies on rent, starts at a 620 credit score and offers 30-year terms. Having both loans with one lender keeps the handoff simple.
DC rents can support a DSCR refinance, especially on two-unit properties. If you plan to hold, check the District's rental licensing and inspection rules before you lease.
Ask every lender the same questions so the quotes compare cleanly.
Our answers: leverage up to 90% of cost and up to 100% of rehab on some programs; a DSCR exit at up to 80% LTV on some programs (75% on cash-out) with a 1.0x standard minimum; program-based seasoning; LLC borrowers welcome; closings in as little as 10 days; and balances from $150,000 to $5M+.
Ready to move on a Washington, DC property? Fill out the form below or call (877) 298-1001. Have the contract, budget and contractor details handy and we can move quickly.
Our top pick 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 handle balances up to $5M+, which fits larger DC rowhouse projects.
Yes. LendingStreet finances fix and flip projects across all eight wards of the District and lends in all 50 states and DC. Get a quote with the form below or call (877) 298-1001.
LendingStreet can close in as little as 10 days. Having a signed contract, a clear budget and title ordered early keeps the timeline short.
On some programs, LendingStreet funds up to 100% of the rehab budget, paid in draws as work is completed and inspected, with total leverage up to 90% of cost.
It is possible but more complicated. DC tenant purchase rules can give tenants rights when an occupied property is sold. Many flippers buy vacant properties to avoid that. Check with a DC real estate attorney.
Yes, if the conversion is permitted and the budget and resale or rental exit make sense. LendingStreet finances 1-8 unit residential investment property.
It varies with scope and whether the property is in a historic district. Structural and historic reviews can add weeks. Ask your architect or permit expediter for current timing and build it into your schedule.
Yes. You can refinance into a LendingStreet DSCR loan that qualifies on the rent, with no W-2s or tax returns. Seasoning varies by program.
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