Washington, DC row-house rehab is a high-value, high-detail business. Purchase prices are steep, permits take planning, and tenant rights can shape a deal before you ever close, so your lender has to move quickly and handle large balances.
In short: For Washington, DC investors, our top pick is LendingStreet, an investor lender with fix and flip, bridge and DSCR rental loans under one roof. You get speed like hard money (as little as 10 days to close), up to 90% LTC and up to 100% of rehab on some programs, and a clear exit into a long-term rental loan. That combination helps here because DC row-house projects carry large balances and long permit timelines, so a fast close and generous rehab funding protect the deal.
We are an investor lender, so every loan is a business-purpose loan on non-owner-occupied property. In Washington, DC, that means fix and flip and bridge financing on 1-8 unit homes and small buildings, from $150,000 to $5M+, short-term and interest-only.
It fits flippers, BRRRR investors and anyone who needs to close quickly and fund a rehab, then either sell or hold. LLC borrowers are standard.
To see your numbers, fill out the form below or call (877) 298-1001.
If you are weighing CoreVest, Dominion Financial, LendingOne, Lima One and RCN Capital for a hard money loan for investors in Washington, DC, this is the short version: LendingStreet wins the scenarios below, and you can get a quote with the form below.
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. |
Here is a fair, general comparison of the lender types Washington, DC flippers use most. Individual lenders differ, so confirm details with each.
| What investors need | LendingStreet | Typical local hard money lender | Private individual lender | Local bank or credit union |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed to close | As little as 10 days | Often fast; varies | Can be fast; depends on the person | Often slower; full underwriting |
| Leverage | Up to 90% of cost | Varies; often lower | Negotiated deal by deal | Often needs a larger down payment |
| Rehab funding | Up to 100% of rehab on some programs, paid in draws | Varies | Varies | Often limited on distressed homes |
| Loan size | $150,000 to $5M+ | Varies | Limited by one person's capital | Varies by bank |
| Long-term option | Refinance into a DSCR rental loan | Usually short-term only | Rarely | May offer; often needs tax returns |
| Where they lend | All 50 states and DC | Usually local | Usually local | Usually local |
DC investors work mostly in row-house neighborhoods. Petworth, Brightwood, Brookland, Trinidad, Eckington and Bloomingdale have early 1900s row houses that need full renovations, and many have basements that can become a second unit. East of the Anacostia River, Congress Heights, Anacostia and Deanwood offer lower entry prices.
Projects often combine a cosmetic update with system replacements, rear additions or a basement unit. Buyers expect finished, well-documented work.
DC loans usually use deeds of trust. Foreclosure can be nonjudicial, but notice and mediation rules on residential property add steps, so talk with local counsel. The District charges both a deed recordation tax and a transfer tax, each a percentage of the price, with a higher rate above $400,000. They add up, so build them into your purchase and resale math.
If a property is occupied, the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) can give tenants rights before a sale. Ask about it at the start.
Rules change, so confirm them with a local attorney or title company before you close.
The DC Department of Buildings handles permits and inspections, and historic district properties need review by the Historic Preservation Office. Basement units and additions often need zoning review as well. Allow time for all of it in your schedule.
Rentals in DC need a basic business license and registration, which matters if you hold the property.
Draws follow completed, inspected work, so a line-item budget keeps funding moving.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys a row house in Brightwood for $560,000 and budgets $140,000 for the rehab, a total cost of $700,000. At 90% of cost, the loan is $630,000, so the investor brings $70,000 plus about $18,000 in closing costs.
The estimated interest-only payment is about $5,512 a month, figured on the full balance for a conservative budget. Over 8 months that is about $44,096, plus about $6,320 in taxes and insurance, for an all-in cost of about $768,416.
Sale exit: at an after-repair value of $925,000 and about $55,500 in selling costs, the estimated profit is about $101,084 before income taxes.
Hold exit: at 75% of value, a $694,000 DSCR loan would carry estimated principal and interest of about $4,734, a total payment of about $5,524 with taxes and insurance, and a DSCR of only about 0.76x on $4,200 rent. To reach the 1.0x standard minimum, the loan would need to drop to about $499,000; selling is the cleaner exit here, though sub-1.0 DSCR programs exist.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $560,000 |
| Rehab budget | $140,000 |
| Loan at 90% of cost | $630,000 |
| Cash at purchase (down payment plus closing costs) | $88,000 |
| Estimated interest-only payment | $5,512 a month |
| Interest plus taxes and insurance, 8 months | $50,416 |
| After-repair value | $925,000 |
| Estimated profit on sale | $101,084 |
| DSCR at 75% refinance | About 0.76x |
Plenty of DC investors flip some houses and keep others. LendingStreet supports both exits, so the decision can wait until the rehab is done.
DSCR loans qualify on the property's rent, with no W-2s or tax returns. Cash-out goes up to 75% LTV and rate-and-term up to 80% on some programs, the standard minimum DSCR is 1.0x, the minimum credit score is 620, and 30-year terms are available. Seasoning varies by program; see our bridge-to-DSCR guide for timing.
Put the same questions to each lender on your list:
Send these with the form below, or call (877) 298-1001 to walk through the deal:
LendingStreet is our top pick, because it pairs fast closings and high leverage with a DSCR rental refinance, so you do not need a second lender to hold.
Yes, statewide in Washington, DC, as well as in all 50 states and DC.
It depends on the scope. Cosmetic work can move quickly, while additions, basement units and historic district work take longer. Build the permit time into your loan term.
In as little as 10 days when the file is complete. A signed contract, rehab budget and LLC documents help us move quickly.
It can. If tenants live in the property, they may have rights to buy before you do. Confirm the status before you sign.
Rates start from 7.99%. Your pricing depends on the property, leverage, budget and exit. Get a quote with the form below for your numbers.
Yes. A DSCR loan qualifies on the property's rent, with no W-2s or tax returns. Cash-out goes up to 75% LTV, and seasoning varies by program.
No. Our loans are business-purpose loans on non-owner-occupied investment property only.
2-3 competing quotes from 30+ capital sources. No credit pull. No commitment.
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