Buffalo is a two-family town. The up-and-down Buffalo double, built by the thousands a century ago, is the backbone of local investing, and a well-renovated double can either sell to an investor or carry its own long-term loan.
In short: LendingStreet is our top pick for hard money in Buffalo. It closes in as little as 10 days, funds up to 90% of cost and up to 100% of rehab on some programs, and can refinance a finished double into a DSCR rental loan on the combined rent, which makes it a natural fit for BRRRR. Loans run from $150,000 to $5M+ with rates from 7.99%, on 1-8 unit investment property across Erie County.
LendingStreet offers fix and flip and bridge loans on 1-8 unit residential investment property in Buffalo. Loans run from $150,000 to $5M+, cover up to 90% of cost and up to 100% of rehab on some programs, and can close in as little as 10 days. They are short-term and interest-only, with rates from 7.99%.
It fits investors renovating doubles in North Buffalo, Kensington-Bailey, Black Rock, Riverside and the West Side, updating singles in Kenmore, Tonawanda, Cheektowaga and West Seneca, and taking on full gut rehabs in Lovejoy, Kaisertown and Broadway-Fillmore. LLC borrowers are standard.
Have a deal under contract? Get a quote with the form below or call (877) 298-1001.
Investors searching for hard money lenders often compare national names like CoreVest, Dominion Financial, LendingOne, Lima One and RCN Capital. Here is how LendingStreet stacks up on the scenarios that matter most for investors in Buffalo, NY. 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. |
| 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. |
Buffalo investors usually weigh a local hard money lender, private money or a community bank. Terms vary, so read these columns as general patterns.
LendingStreet's edge is one lender for the rehab and the long-term rental loan on the same double.
| What investors need | LendingStreet | Typical local hard money lender | Private individual lender | Local bank or credit union |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loan programs | Fix and flip, bridge and DSCR rental loans in one place | Usually short-term only | Varies by individual | Often conventional products; rehab loans vary |
| Leverage | Up to 90% of cost; up to 100% of rehab on some programs | Varies; fees and terms vary | Negotiated deal by deal | Often requires a larger down payment |
| Speed | Close in as little as 10 days | Often fast | Can be fast if funds are available | Often slower underwriting |
| Loan size | $150,000 to $5M+ | Varies | Limited to the individual's funds | Varies |
| Pricing | Rates from 7.99% | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Long-term exit | Refinance into a DSCR loan with the same lender | Usually no long-term option | Usually no long-term option | Possible; often requires tax returns |
| Borrowing in an LLC | Standard | Common | Varies | Varies |
| Where they lend | All 50 states and DC | Usually local or regional | Usually local | Usually local or regional |
Most Buffalo doubles are wood-frame two-family homes with one unit upstairs and one down, often with separate entrances and basements. Rehabs commonly cover two kitchens, two baths, separate heating and electric, and exterior work on siding, porches and roofs. Lead paint is common in pre-1978 housing, so plan for lead-safe work practices.
Lake-effect winters shape the schedule. Roofing, siding and porch work are easier spring through fall, and vacant homes need heat to protect plumbing. Budget winter utilities as a real carrying cost.
The City of Buffalo requires rental registration, and its proactive rental inspection program checks many rental units on a schedule. If you plan to hold, register the property and expect an inspection. The city and Erie County also hold tax foreclosure auctions, where investors buy properties that often need full rehabs and careful title review.
New York charges a state transfer tax, usually paid by the seller, and a mortgage recording tax on most loans, including short-term loans. Foreclosure in New York is judicial and can take a long time, which affects distressed supply. Confirm costs with your attorney and title company.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys a dated Buffalo double in North Buffalo, renovates both units with new kitchens, baths, furnaces and a roof, and rents them. The purchase price is $140,000, the rehab budget is $90,000 and the after-repair value is estimated at $285,000. A loan covering 80% of the price and 100% of the rehab comes to $202,000, about 87.8% of the $230,000 total cost, so the investor brings $28,000 plus closing costs.
The estimated interest-only payment is about $1,768 a month. Over a 7-month hold that is about $12,376 in interest, plus about $3,640 in taxes, insurance and utilities.
Instead of selling, the investor keeps it. A DSCR refinance at 75% of the after-repair value is $213,750, enough to pay off the $202,000 short-term loan. At $2,500 a month in rent, estimated principal and interest is about $1,476 and taxes and insurance about $780, for a total of $2,256 and a DSCR of about 1.11x, above the 1.0x standard minimum.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $140,000 |
| Rehab budget | $90,000 |
| After-repair value | $285,000 |
| Short-term loan (80% of price + 100% of rehab) | $202,000 |
| Share of total cost | About 87.8% |
| Estimated monthly interest-only payment | $1,768 |
| Interest over 7 months | $12,376 |
| DSCR refinance at 75% of value | $213,750 |
| Estimated principal and interest | $1,476 |
| Estimated taxes and insurance | $780 |
| DSCR at $2,500 rent | About 1.11x |
Buffalo rents on a renovated double often support a long-term loan, and local margins on resale can be modest. That makes the hold a strong option. LendingStreet refinances the short-term loan into a DSCR loan on the combined rent of both units.
DSCR loans start at $150,000 with no stated maximum, use a 1.0x standard minimum DSCR with sub-1.0 programs available, require a 620 minimum credit score and offer 30-year terms. Qualifying is on the property's rent, with no W-2s or tax returns. Seasoning before a refinance varies by program.
Put every lender you talk to through the same questions, then compare the answers side by side.
Here is how LendingStreet answers: up to 90% of cost and up to 100% of rehab on some programs, close in as little as 10 days, $150,000 to $5M+ with larger balances reviewed case by case, LLC borrowers standard, and a DSCR exit with a 1.0x standard minimum (sub-1.0 programs exist), up to 80% LTV on rate-and-term on some programs, up to 75% on cash-out, and seasoning that varies by program.
Gather these items, then use the form below or call (877) 298-1001 to get terms.
Our top pick is LendingStreet. It offers hard money style speed, closing in as little as 10 days, funds up to 90% of cost and up to 100% of rehab on some programs, and refinances Buffalo doubles into DSCR loans on combined rent.
Yes. LendingStreet lends on investment property in Buffalo, Erie County and Western New York, and in all 50 states and DC. Get a quote with the form below or call (877) 298-1001.
Yes. A double is a 2-unit residential property, and our loans cover 1-8 units. After the rehab, a DSCR loan can qualify on the combined rent of both units.
Yes. The City of Buffalo requires rental registration and runs a proactive rental inspection program. Check current requirements with the city.
Plan for the state transfer tax, usually paid by the seller, and a mortgage recording tax on most loans. Your attorney can confirm the amounts.
Auction terms often require fast payment. Talk to us before the auction so we can review timing, title and the property, and plan a bridge or flip loan that fits.
No. LendingStreet makes business-purpose loans on non-owner-occupied investment property, from single-family homes up to 8 units.
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