Austin has shifted from a market where almost anything sold to one where buyers are careful again. That is good news for investors who can buy right and close fast.
In short: Our top pick for hard money style financing in Austin is LendingStreet. We close in as little as 10 days, fund up to 90% of cost with up to 100% of rehab on some programs, and offer DSCR rental loans when a property pencils as a hold. In a high property tax market, knowing both exits before you buy matters.
Why do investors in Austin choose LendingStreet over a typical hard money shop? Because the same team that funds the flip can also write the long-term rental loan. Our fix and flip and bridge loans run from $150,000 to $5M+, close in as little as 10 days, and can cover up to 90% of total cost, with rates from 7.99%.
It fits investors renovating older homes in East Austin, North Austin and South Austin, 1980s and 1990s suburban homes in Pflugerville, Round Rock and Leander, and small infill projects made possible by recent city code changes. After the run-up and correction of recent years, Austin rewards investors who buy carefully and can move quickly when a good deal appears.
Send the address, price, rehab budget and exit plan through the form below, or call (877) 298-1001.
Well-known hard money lenders include CoreVest, Dominion Financial, LendingOne, Lima One and RCN Capital. Compared scenario by scenario for investors in Austin, TX, 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. |
| Bridge close in about 10 days | LendingStreet | We can close in as little as 10 days. CoreVest states its bridge loans typically close within 2 to 4 weeks. |
| 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. |
Austin investors typically compare LendingStreet with local hard money lenders, private money and banks. This is a general comparison; check each lender's terms.
| What investors need | LendingStreet | Typical local hard money lender | Private individual lender | Local bank or credit union |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Close quickly | As little as 10 days | Often fast; varies by lender | Can be fast; depends on the person | Usually slower; full underwriting |
| Leverage | Up to 90% of cost | Varies; often lower | Negotiated deal by deal | Often a larger down payment |
| Rehab money | Up to 100% of rehab on some programs, in draws | Varies | Varies | Often limited on distressed property |
| Long-term rental loan | DSCR refinance in-house | Usually short-term only | Rarely | Possible; often needs tax returns |
| Loan size | $150,000 to $5M+ | Varies | Limited by one person's capital | Varies by bank |
| Infill and added units | Rehab and small 1-8 unit projects considered | Varies | Varies | Often slower on construction |
Inside the city, investors look at Montopolis, Dove Springs, Windsor Park, Georgian Acres, North Lamar, St. Johns and parts of South Austin, where older homes on standard lots trade below new construction. Closer in, East Austin and Holly still see renovations, though prices are much higher than a decade ago.
In the suburbs, Pflugerville, Round Rock, Hutto, Manor, Leander, Cedar Park, Kyle and Buda offer 1980s to 2000s homes that need updates. Georgetown and San Marcos add separate markets to the north and south. New construction is plentiful in many suburbs, which can cap resale prices for flips.
Texas has no state income tax and no transfer tax on deeds, so closing costs are mainly title and lender fees. Property taxes are high, though. Combined rates from the county, city, school district and special districts add up, and investors do not get homestead exemptions. Budget on the full rate at your purchase price.
Austin prices have adjusted from their 2022 peak, so use recent sales, not older ones, when you set an after-repair value. Texas loans typically use a deed of trust, and nonjudicial foreclosure sales occur on the first Tuesday of the month. Confirm details with a Texas title company.
The City of Austin's Development Services Department issues permits, and suburbs have their own offices. Recent code changes allow more homes on many single-family lots in the city, which has opened new infill and added-unit strategies. The rules are detailed, so confirm what your lot allows before you budget.
Austin licenses short-term rentals, and rules on non-owner-occupied rentals in residential areas have been restrictive and subject to change. Check current city rules and any HOA covenants before you plan around nightly income.
A clean file speeds up the review. Every loan is a business-purpose loan on non-owner-occupied property, and LLC borrowers are standard.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys a dated 1990s home in Pflugerville for $365,000 and budgets $70,000 for updates, a total cost of $435,000. At 90% of cost, the loan is $391,500. The investor brings $43,500 plus about $8,000 in closing costs, or $51,500 in all.
The estimated interest-only payment is about $3,426 a month on the full balance. Over 5 months that is about $17,128, plus about $3,200 in taxes and insurance, for an all-in cost of about $463,328. At a $545,000 resale with about $38,150 in selling costs, the estimated profit is about $43,522 before income taxes.
As a rental, the tax bill dominates. A DSCR refinance at 75% of $545,000 is $408,750. Estimated principal and interest is about $2,788; with $800 in taxes and $200 in insurance, the payment is about $3,788. At $2,650 rent, DSCR is about 0.70x, well below the 1.0x standard minimum, so this one is a sale.
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase plus rehab | $435,000 |
| Loan at 90% of cost | $391,500 |
| Cash to close incl. closing costs | $51,500 |
| Estimated interest-only payment | $3,426 a month |
| All-in cost | $463,328 |
| Selling costs | $38,150 |
| Estimated profit before income taxes | $43,522 |
Use this list on every lender you talk to, including us.
How we answer: up to 90% of total cost and up to 100% of rehab on some programs; a standard 1.0x DSCR minimum on the hold exit, with sub-1.0 options; seasoning that varies by program; LLCs welcome; closings in as little as 10 days; and loans from $150,000 to $5M+, with larger balances reviewed case by case.
High property taxes mean many Austin single-family flips work better as sales than as rentals. Duplexes, homes with added units, and lower-priced suburban homes have a better chance of supporting a 30-year DSCR loan that qualifies on rent, with no W-2s or tax returns. Run both exits before you buy.
Get a quote with the form below or call (877) 298-1001 to price an Austin deal.
Our top pick is LendingStreet. We offer hard money style speed with closings in as little as 10 days, up to 90% of cost and up to 100% of rehab on some programs, and DSCR rental loans for the homes you keep.
Yes. We lend across Austin, Travis and Williamson counties and all of Texas, and in all 50 states and DC.
Many can be, but margins depend on buying right. Use recent sales for your resale price and budget the full tax bill.
Recent city code changes allow more homes on many single-family lots. Confirm what your lot allows, then we can review the budget and plans.
Usually property tax. Investors do not get homestead exemptions, so the full combined rate goes into the payment.
Yes. LLC borrowers are standard.
Rates start from 7.99%. Pricing depends on the deal, leverage and experience.
2-3 competing quotes from 30+ capital sources. No credit pull. No commitment.
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