Raleigh's older homes sell quickly, and the ones that need work often hide crawlspace and plumbing problems. A good short-term lender gets you to the closing table fast and funds the work the inspection uncovers.
In short: Our top pick for hard money in Raleigh 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% on loans from $150,000 to $5M+. If you would rather hold, we can refinance the finished home into a DSCR loan qualified on its rent.
The Triangle keeps adding jobs and residents, and older Raleigh homes rarely last long once they hit the market. LendingStreet is built for investors who need to act quickly: we close in as little as 10 days, fund 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%.
We also make DSCR rental loans, so a finished home can be refinanced into a 30-year loan qualified on its rent. LLC borrowers are standard.
Raleigh investors use our short-term loans to beat cash buyers on estate sales and as-is listings, to fund a heavy renovation that a bank will not touch, and to pay off a maturing loan from another lender when a project needs more time. Payments are interest-only, which keeps carrying costs down while the work gets done.
To price a deal, 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 Raleigh, NC, 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. |
General patterns by lender type, not a ranking of any company. Individual lenders vary.
| What investors need | LendingStreet | Typical local hard money lender | Private individual lender | Local 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 |
| Higher Triangle price ranges | Loans to $5M+ on 1-8 units | Often capped lower | Limited by one person's capital | Varies; full documentation |
| 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 |
Inside the Beltline, investors buy older homes in Southeast Raleigh, Oakwood, Mordecai, Boylan Heights and the neighborhoods around downtown, where 1920s to 1950s houses sell well once updated. Mid-century brick ranches and 1970s split-levels are common in North Raleigh and around North Hills.
Outside the city, Garner, Knightdale, Wendell, Zebulon, Wake Forest and Fuquay-Varina offer more affordable stock, and Clayton in Johnston County and nearby Durham round out the market. Some inner-city lots draw infill buyers, which can make a teardown worth more than a renovation.
Many Raleigh homes sit on crawlspaces, and moisture is a frequent inspection issue: wet framing, mold and failed vapor barriers often lead buyers to ask for encapsulation and a dehumidifier. Homes from the 1980s and 1990s can have polybutylene supply lines that buyers want replaced, and HVAC systems work hard in the humid summers.
Permits come from the City of Raleigh, Wake County or the town where the home sits. Raleigh also has its own rules for short-term rentals, so check zoning if you plan to rent the house by the night.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys a 1950s home in Southeast Raleigh for $352,000 and budgets $88,000 for crawlspace encapsulation, new HVAC, plumbing, a kitchen, two baths and an opened floor plan. Total cost is $440,000. At 90% LTC the loan is $396,000, so the investor brings $44,000 plus about $6,200 in closing costs.
The estimated interest-only payment is about $3,465 a month, on the full balance. Over 6 months, interest totals about $20,790, and taxes, insurance and utilities add about $3,660. The all-in cost is about $470,650.
The renovated home sells for $580,000. Selling costs of about $33,060 include about $1,160 in North Carolina excise tax. The estimated profit is about $76,290 before income taxes.
| Line | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Purchase | $352,000 |
| Rehab | $88,000 |
| Loan at 90% LTC | $396,000 |
| Cash at purchase | $50,200 |
| Interest-only payment | $3,465 a month |
| Interest over the hold | $20,790 |
| All-in cost | $470,650 |
| Sale price | $580,000 |
| Selling costs, including excise tax | $33,060 |
| Estimated profit | $76,290 |
North Carolina's excise tax on deeds is $1 per $500 of price, usually paid by the seller. Closings are typically handled by a North Carolina attorney, with title insurance and recording fees on top. Loans use a deed of trust, and foreclosures go through a power-of-sale process with a hearing before the clerk of court.
Wake County's most recent reappraisal raised many values, and a sale can change what you pay, so budget property taxes on current assessments and your price. Confirm figures with your closing attorney.
Rental demand from the universities, Research Triangle Park and the region's hospitals makes holding a real option. 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. Rate-and-term refinances go up to 80% LTV on some programs, and seasoning varies by program; see our bridge-to-DSCR guide.
If prices favor a sale, the short-term loan pays off from proceeds. Either way, choose the exit before you choose the scope: a rental finish and a resale finish are rarely the same budget, and the DSCR math depends on real taxes and insurance.
Ask every lender you are considering:
Get a quote with the form below, or call (877) 298-1001. Send the address, price, rehab budget and target resale or rent, and we will size the loan and draws with you.
Our top pick is LendingStreet: 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 Raleigh, across the Triangle and North Carolina, and in all 50 states and DC on 1-8 unit investment property.
Rates start from 7.99%. Your rate depends on leverage, the property and your experience.
The seller usually pays the excise tax of $1 per $500 of price. Confirm with your closing attorney.
Yes. Crawlspace, HVAC and plumbing work can be part of the rehab budget, funded in draws after inspection.
Ground-up projects are a separate construction loan sized on loan-to-cost. Ask us about plans, permits and builder experience.
Yes. A DSCR loan qualified on the rent can pay off the short-term loan. Seasoning varies by program.
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