St. Louis is known for brick two-family and four-family flats that are solidly built but often dated inside. A bridge loan closes the purchase and carries the renovation until a DSCR refinance.
In short: LendingStreet offers residential bridge loans in St. Louis from $150,000 to $5M+ on 1 to 8 unit investment property, with rates from 7.99% and closings in as little as 10 days. Investors use them to renovate brick multi-family flats and older homes, then refinance into a DSCR loan. Missouri has no transfer tax, but city occupancy permits and county pre-sale inspections affect the timeline.
Tower Grove South, Dutchtown, Benton Park, Soulard, Shaw, The Hill and Southampton have rows of brick two-family and four-family flats from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Inner-ring suburbs in St. Louis County add bungalows and ranch homes.
Many flats need tuckpointing, roofs, electrical, plumbing and updated units. Their brick construction and multiple units can make them strong long-term rentals once renovated.
A bridge loan is short-term, interest-only financing for an investor who needs to close before long-term financing makes sense. LendingStreet's residential bridge loans cover 1 to 8 unit investment property, from $150,000 to $5M+, with rates from 7.99% and closings in as little as 10 days. Some bridge programs require no appraisal, which helps when a seller wants a quick, clean close.
The loan is built around the exit. You either sell the property or refinance it into a 30-year DSCR loan once it is renovated and leased. We look at the purchase price, the rehab scope and budget, the expected after-repair value, your track record and how realistic that exit is in St. Louis.
Your total cost is more than the rate. Budget for interest during the hold, closing costs on the purchase, any lender fees and the closing costs of the refinance or sale at the end. The bridge loan cost calculator can help you add these up before you make an offer.
Most bridge requests in St. Louis fall into a few patterns. The common thread is speed, a property a long-term lender will not finance yet, or both.
St. Louis brick flats trade at prices that leave room for renovation, and many sellers are estates or long-time landlords. A bridge loan lets you close on an as-is building and complete the work before refinancing.
| Deal | Where you see it | Why a bridge fits |
|---|---|---|
| Four-family renovation | Tower Grove South, Dutchtown | Units need work before long-term financing |
| Two-family update | Benton Park, Southampton, Shaw | Units need turnover before refinance |
| Quick-close purchase | Inner-ring St. Louis County | Compete with cash buyers on an as-is listing |
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys a brick four-family in Tower Grove South with dated units and renovates all four apartments. The purchase price is $260,000, the rehab budget is $120,000 and the investor expects an after-repair value of $450,000.
Assume a sample bridge loan that funds 80% of the purchase price plus the rehab budget, $328,000 in total. Interest on the full balance is about $2,597 a month, or about $23,370 over a 9-month hold. The investor brings the $52,000 down payment plus closing costs.
At refinance, a DSCR loan at 75% of the $450,000 value is $337,500, which pays off the $328,000 bridge balance with about $9,500 left over before closing costs., principal and interest is about $2,302. With taxes of $400 and insurance of $200 a month, the payment is about $2,902. Rent of $4,200 gives a DSCR of about 1.45x, above the 1.0x standard minimum.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $260,000 |
| Rehab budget | $120,000 |
| Bridge loan (80% of price plus rehab) | $328,000 |
| Monthly interest | $2,597 |
| Interest over 9 months | $23,370 |
| DSCR refinance at 75% of $450,000 | $337,500 |
| Monthly payment with taxes and insurance | $2,902 |
| DSCR at $4,200 rent | About 1.45x |
Missouri does not charge a real estate transfer tax, so closing costs are mostly title, escrow and recording fees.
St. Louis City and St. Louis County are separate jurisdictions with different tax rates and rules. Budget on the assessed value for the specific property.
The City of St. Louis requires an occupancy permit, with an inspection in many cases, when a new tenant moves in. Many St. Louis County municipalities require inspections before a sale can close. Confirm requirements for each property.
Brick flats often need tuckpointing, chimney repair and roof work. Older electrical and plumbing are also common budget items.
Most rental investors exit by refinancing into a DSCR loan, which qualifies on the property's rent, with a 620 minimum credit score, LLC borrowers standard and 30-year terms available. Cash-out goes up to 75% LTV, and the rent has to cover the new payment at the program minimum, 1.0x on standard programs. Cash-out seasoning varies by program, so ask about timing before you close the bridge.
St. Louis four-family rents relative to prices often support DSCR refinances with room to spare. A blanket portfolio loan can work for investors holding several flats.
Our investor loans are business-purpose loans on non-owner-occupied property. Send the address, the price and the plan through the form below, and the team will come back with options sized to the deal.
No. Missouri does not charge a real estate transfer tax. Closing costs are mostly title and recording fees.
The City of St. Louis requires an occupancy permit, often with an inspection, when a new tenant moves in.
Yes. The rehab budget can include masonry repair, which is common on St. Louis brick flats.
In as little as 10 days when the title work, insurance and your file are ready. Local title timelines, payoff letters and HOA or municipal requirements can add time, so start those early.
Bridge rates start from 7.99%. Your rate depends on leverage, the property, the rehab scope and your track record. The loan is interest-only, so the monthly payment is interest on the balance.
Talk to us before the maturity date, not after. Build a cushion into the term when you apply, and keep the lender informed if contractors, permits or materials push the schedule.
Not always. Some bridge programs require no appraisal, while others use a valuation. The DSCR refinance at the end will normally include an appraisal, because that loan is sized on value.
Yes. Most investors take bridge loans in an LLC or other entity. You may still need to sign for the loan personally.
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