Kentucky flips run on older housing. Louisville shotguns and camelbacks, Lexington ranches and Northern Kentucky row homes all need work, and investors who close fast find the best deals.
In short: Our top pick for hard money in Kentucky is LendingStreet. We offer hard money style speed, closing in as little as 10 days, with up to 90% of cost and up to 100% of rehab on some programs. Rates start from 7.99%, with loans from $150,000 to $5M+. If a finished home rents well, we can refinance it into a 30-year DSCR loan that qualifies on the rent.
Investors who search for hard money in Kentucky 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.
If you are weighing CoreVest, Dominion Financial, LendingOne, Lima One and RCN Capital for a hard money loan for investors in Kentucky, 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. |
Louisville is the largest Kentucky flip market. Investors buy shotgun and camelback homes in Germantown, Schnitzelburg, Shelby Park, the Highlands edges and the South End, plus older ranches in suburbs like Okolona and Fern Creek. Old Louisville has large Victorian homes with bigger scopes.
Lexington has steady resale demand around the University of Kentucky and in established neighborhoods. Northern Kentucky, including Covington, Newport and Florence, draws Cincinnati-area buyers. Bowling Green, Owensboro and Elizabethtown add lower-priced options.
When Kentucky 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 |
Kentucky closings often involve attorneys. The state transfer tax is $0.50 per $500 of value, and you will also pay recording and title costs.
Kentucky uses judicial foreclosure, and sales are held by the master commissioner of the circuit court. Cases take time, so distressed inventory arrives slowly, and buyers at commissioner sales need funding lined up in advance.
Property taxes are moderate. The homestead exemption is limited and does not apply to investors, so use the full assessed figure from the county property valuation administrator.
In Louisville, permits go through Louisville Metro's building office, and the city also has a rental registry. Historic preservation districts in Louisville, Lexington and Covington add design review for exterior changes, so check before you replace windows, siding or porches.
Older Kentucky homes commonly need foundation and basement repair, roofs, old wiring, plumbing and HVAC, and shotgun homes often need a reworked layout to sell well. Pre-1978 homes call for lead-safe practices.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys a Louisville Germantown shotgun for $175,000 with a $70,000 rehab budget, for a total cost of $245,000. At 90% of cost, the loan is $220,500, and the investor brings $24,500 plus about $4,375 in estimated purchase closing costs.
The estimated interest-only payment is about $1,929 a month, or $11,574 over a 6-month hold, assuming interest on the full balance for simplicity. If the home sells at an after-repair value of $315,000 with about $25,200 in selling costs, the estimated profit before income taxes is about $28,851.
If the investor keeps it instead, a DSCR refinance at 75% of the $315,000 value is a $236,250 loan, which pays off the $220,500 flip loan. Estimated principal and interest on a 30-year term is about $1,652. With $260 in monthly taxes and $130 in insurance, the total is $2,042. At $2,100 a month in rent, the DSCR is about 1.03x. The new loan covers the flip loan payoff with about $15,750 left over before closing costs.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total cost (purchase plus rehab) | $245,000 |
| Loan at 90% of cost | $220,500 |
| Estimated interest-only payment, monthly | $1,929 |
| Estimated carry over the hold | $11,574 |
| Estimated profit if sold | $28,851 |
| DSCR refinance loan at 75% | $236,250 |
| Estimated principal and interest | $1,652 |
| Taxes and insurance, monthly | $390 |
| DSCR at $2,100 rent | About 1.03x |
A flip loan is short-term and interest-only by design, so plan the exit before you close. In Kentucky, 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 Kentucky, as part of lending in all 50 states and DC.
Kentucky foreclosures are judicial, and properties are sold by the master commissioner of the circuit court. Terms are set for each sale, so read them closely and talk with us before you bid.
Yes, for exterior work. Historic preservation districts in Louisville, Lexington and Covington review changes to windows, siding, porches and more. Check before you set your scope.
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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