Cincinnati's brick homes are affordable, and the west side and urban core have plenty of them. The investor who closes quickly and budgets for hillsides, masonry and old systems is the one who makes money.
In short: Our top pick for hard money in Cincinnati is LendingStreet. We close in as little as 10 days, finance up to 90% of purchase plus rehab with up to 100% of the rehab on some programs, and offer rates from 7.99%. We also make DSCR rental loans, so a finished home or two-family can be refinanced on its rent with the same lender instead of a second lender search.
Cincinnati is an affordable market where good flips are won by investors who move first. LendingStreet gives you hard money style speed with the backing of a full investor lender: we close in as little as 10 days, finance up to 90% of purchase plus rehab (LTC) with up to 100% of the rehab on some programs, and lend from $150,000 to $5M+ on 1-8 unit non-owner-occupied property. Rates start from 7.99%.
Because we also make DSCR rental loans, the brick two-family you renovate this spring can be refinanced into a 30-year rental loan with us. LLC borrowers are standard.
Typical uses here: buying from an estate before a cash buyer does, funding a gut rehab that a local bank will not lend on, and taking out a maturing loan from another lender when a project runs long. Interest-only payments keep the monthly carry manageable through the work.
To get started, use 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 Cincinnati, OH. 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. |
This compares typical patterns by lender type, not any specific company. Ask each lender for its own terms.
| Investor need | LendingStreet | Local hard money lender | Private individual | Bank or credit union |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Closing speed | As little as 10 days on a complete file | Often quick | Depends on the individual | Usually slower, with full underwriting |
| How much of the deal is financed | Up to 90% of purchase plus rehab | Varies | Negotiated | Often less on a fixer |
| Renovation budget | Up to 100% of rehab on some programs | Varies | Varies | Often not offered on distressed homes |
| Older brick homes and two-families | Up to 100% of rehab on some programs, 1-8 units | Varies | Varies | Often cautious on heavy rehab |
| Pricing | Rates from 7.99% | Fees and terms vary | Varies | Varies |
| A path to hold | Refinance into a 30-year DSCR loan | Short-term loans only, in most cases | Rarely | May require W-2s and tax returns |
| LLC borrowing | Standard | Common | Varies | Varies |
On the west side, East and West Price Hill, Westwood and Cheviot have large inventories of early 1900s brick homes and two-families at entry-level prices. Northside, Camp Washington, Walnut Hills, Evanston and Madisonville have seen steady renovation, while Oakley, Hyde Park and Mount Lookout carry higher resale prices.
Separate cities inside the county, like Norwood and Reading, have their own permit offices, and Over-the-Rhine and other historic districts may require design review for exterior changes. Northern Kentucky across the river is a different state with different rules, so treat Covington or Newport deals as their own file.
Cincinnati is built on hills, and some hillside lots have slope movement, retaining wall and drainage problems that can cost more than the kitchen. Get a structural opinion when you see cracked walls, sticking doors or a leaning retaining wall. Brick homes also need mortar repair, chimney and slate or older roof work, and many still have knob-and-tube wiring, old boilers and clay sewer lines.
Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint, which affects work practices and, for rentals, local requirements. Confirm permit rules with the city or village where the home sits.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys a 1920s brick home in Westwood for $168,000 and budgets $72,000 for electrical, a furnace, mortar repair, a kitchen and two baths. Total cost is $240,000, and at 90% LTC the loan is $216,000. The investor brings $24,000 plus about $4,300 in closing costs.
The estimated interest-only payment is about $1,980 a month, figured on the full balance. Over 6 months, interest is about $11,880, and taxes, insurance and utilities add about $2,520. The all-in cost is about $258,700.
The home sells for $305,000. Selling costs of about $17,690 include about $915 in Hamilton County conveyance fees. The estimated profit is about $28,610 before income taxes. On a lower-priced Cincinnati flip, a few thousand dollars of unplanned masonry or sewer work can take a real share of that margin, which is why the inspection matters.
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $168,000 |
| Rehab budget | $72,000 |
| Loan at 90% LTC | $216,000 |
| Cash at purchase | $28,300 |
| Interest-only payment | $1,980 a month |
| All-in cost | $258,700 |
| Sale price | $305,000 |
| Selling costs, including conveyance fee | $17,690 |
| Estimated profit | $28,610 |
Ohio charges a conveyance fee on deeds, set county by county. In Hamilton County it is $3 per $1,000 of price, plus a small per-parcel transfer fee. Title insurance, settlement and recording fees apply too. Ohio foreclosures are judicial and end in sheriff's sales, which generally require a deposit at the sale and the balance within a set period, so most auction buyers use cash.
Property taxes in Ohio are moderate to high, and investor-owned homes do not receive owner-occupancy reductions, so budget on the full rate. Confirm figures with your title company.
Cincinnati's prices and rents let many investors hold, especially two-families. Our DSCR loans qualify on rent, with no W-2s or tax returns, a 620 minimum credit score, a 1.0x standard minimum DSCR and 30-year terms. Cash-out goes up to 75% LTV, and seasoning varies by program; our bridge-to-DSCR guide covers the steps.
Smaller loan sizes are common here, so confirm that the finished property supports a refinance of at least $150,000, our minimum loan size.
Run every lender through the same list:
Get a quote with the form below, or call (877) 298-1001. Share the address, price, rehab budget and target sale price or rent, and we will size the loan and the draws.
Our top pick is LendingStreet, for closings in as little as 10 days, up to 90% LTC with up to 100% of rehab on some programs, and a DSCR rental refinance with the same lender.
Yes. We lend in Cincinnati, across Ohio and in all 50 states and DC on 1-8 unit investment property.
Our loans start at $150,000. Many Cincinnati flips reach that once the rehab budget is included.
Rates start from 7.99%. Your rate depends on leverage, the property and your experience.
Hamilton County charges $3 per $1,000 of price plus a small per-parcel fee. Confirm current figures with your title company.
Yes. We finance 1-8 unit properties, and a DSCR refinance can use the combined rent.
Yes. We lend in all 50 states, so Covington and Newport deals work too, under Kentucky rules.
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