Hawaii flips are large, slow to permit and expensive to carry. On Oahu, Maui or the Big Island, the right lender is the one that can fund a high balance quickly and still be there when you decide to sell or hold.
In short: Our top pick for hard money in Hawaii is LendingStreet. We fund investor fix and flip and bridge loans from $150,000 to $5M+, close in as little as 10 days, and lend up to 90% of cost with up to 100% of rehab on some programs. Rates start from 7.99%. Because island prices are high, that large-balance range matters, and if a finished home makes more sense as a rental, we can refinance it into a DSCR loan.
Investors who search for hard money in Hawaii usually want two things: a fast close and high leverage. LendingStreet offers both, closing in as little as 10 days and lending up to 90% of cost, with up to 100% of rehab on some programs. Loans run from $150,000 to $5M+ on 1 to 8 unit investment property, with rates from 7.99%.
Our loans fit flippers, investors buying distressed or auction property and anyone who needs a short-term, interest-only loan before a sale or refinance. Because we also make DSCR rental loans, you have a clear long-term option if you decide to keep the property.
To start, send the deal with 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 Hawaii, 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. |
Oahu has the deepest resale market. Investors look at older single-family homes and townhomes in Waipahu, Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Mililani, Kaneohe, Kailua and the Honolulu neighborhoods of Kalihi, Kaimuki and Palolo, where dated 1950s to 1970s homes sit next to updated ones.
On the neighbor islands, Hilo and Kona on the Big Island have lower entry prices, Maui investors work Kahului, Wailuku and Kihei, and Kauai has limited inventory around Lihue and Kapaa. Resale demand, permitting speed and insurance costs differ a lot from island to island.
When Hawaii investors shop for short-term rehab money, they usually weigh local hard money, private individuals and banks. Terms vary from lender to lender, so treat the other columns as general patterns.
| What investors need | LendingStreet | Typical local hard money lender | Typical private lender | Typical bank or credit union |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed to close | As little as 10 days | Often fast | Varies by person | Usually slower; full underwriting |
| Leverage | Up to 90% of cost | Varies; fees and terms vary | Varies by deal | Often lower on distressed homes |
| Rehab funding | Up to 100% of rehab on some programs | Varies | Varies | Often limited for heavy rehab |
| Loan size | $150,000 to $5M+ | Often smaller limits | Limited by the person's capital | Varies |
| Borrow in an LLC | Yes | Usually | Usually | Varies |
| Long-term option | DSCR rental loan with the same team | Short-term only | Short-term only | May need tax returns and W-2s |
| Rates | From 7.99% | Varies | Varies | Varies |
Hawaii closings run through escrow. The state conveyance tax is tiered by price, and higher rates apply when the buyer is not eligible for a county homeowner exemption, which covers most investor purchases. Get the exact figure from your escrow officer before you finalize your budget.
Check early whether a property is fee simple or leasehold. Leasehold homes still exist in parts of the state, and they raise extra questions for buyers and for any lender. Hawaii allows judicial and nonjudicial foreclosure, and judicial foreclosure is commonly used, so distressed sales can take time to reach the market.
Property tax rates are set by each county and are low relative to prices, but insurance can be significant, especially for hurricane, flood and, on the Big Island, lava zone coverage. Confirm both with local providers.
Permit timing is the biggest risk on many Hawaii flips. On Oahu, building permits go through the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting, and review times can be long. Neighbor islands have their own county offices. Many investors plan cosmetic scopes that need fewer permits, or build a longer hold into the budget.
Older island homes often need termite treatment, roof work and electrical updates, and materials cost more because they are shipped in. Hold a larger contingency than you would on the mainland.
If you are thinking about a short-term rental exit, check county rules first. Honolulu limits stays under 90 days outside resort areas, and Maui has moved to restrict vacation rentals in apartment districts.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys an older Waipahu single-family home for $720,000 with a $110,000 rehab budget, for a total cost of $830,000. At 90% of cost, the loan is $747,000, and the investor brings $83,000 plus about $18,000 in estimated purchase closing costs.
The estimated interest-only payment is about $6,536 a month, or $52,288 over a 8-month hold, assuming interest on the full balance for simplicity. If the home sells at an after-repair value of $1,100,000 with about $88,000 in selling costs, the estimated profit before income taxes is about $111,712.
If the investor keeps it instead, a DSCR refinance at 60% of the $1,100,000 value is a $660,000 loan, which pays off the $747,000 flip loan. Estimated principal and interest on a 30-year term is about $4,615. With $310 in monthly taxes and $180 in insurance, the total is $5,105. At $5,300 a month in rent, the DSCR is about 1.04x. The investor would bring about $87,000 to retire the flip loan, which is why many Hawaii flips simply exit by sale. We used 60% rather than the 75% cash-out maximum so the ratio stays at or above 1.0x on this Hawaii rent.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total cost (purchase plus rehab) | $830,000 |
| Loan at 90% of cost | $747,000 |
| Estimated interest-only payment, monthly | $6,536 |
| Estimated carry over the hold | $52,288 |
| Estimated profit if sold | $111,712 |
| DSCR refinance loan at 60% | $660,000 |
| Estimated principal and interest | $4,615 |
| Taxes and insurance, monthly | $490 |
| DSCR at $5,300 rent | About 1.04x |
A flip loan is short-term and interest-only by design, so plan the exit before you close. In Hawaii, the exit is usually a sale or a refinance into a long-term rental loan.
LendingStreet offers both sides. When you hold, our DSCR loans qualify on rent, not personal income, with a standard minimum DSCR of 1.0x and sub-1.0 programs for some files. LLC borrowers are standard, terms run 30 years and cash-out is up to 75% LTV. Seasoning varies by program, so ask early.
Before you commit, put these questions to each lender you are considering.
LendingStreet's answers: leverage up to 90% of cost, with up to 100% of rehab on some programs; closings in as little as 10 days; $150,000 to $5M+; LLCs are standard; rehab funding is explained up front for your program; and a DSCR rental loan is ready for the exit, with a 1.0x standard minimum and program-based seasoning.
We think LendingStreet is the strongest choice: hard money style speed, high leverage on cost and rehab, rates from 7.99% and a 30-year DSCR option for keepers, all with one team. Call (877) 298-1001 to start.
Yes. We fund fix and flip, bridge and DSCR rental loans on investment property throughout Hawaii, as part of lending in all 50 states and DC.
It changes the plan. A longer permit timeline means a longer hold and more carrying cost, so build it into your budget and tell us the expected timeline when you apply.
Leasehold properties get extra review from any lender. Tell us up front if the land is leased, and confirm the lease terms with your escrow officer and title company.
Yes. LLC borrowers are standard for our investor loans. You may also be asked to sign for the loan personally, depending on the program.
No. We offer fix and flip and bridge loans plus 30-year DSCR rental loans, so you can move from a flip loan to long-term financing with the same team.
In as little as 10 days. Timing depends on title, insurance and how quickly documents come in, so send the full file early.
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