When you submit a fix-and-flip deal to us, we’re not running it through some rigid checklist or handing it off to an underwriting committee you’ll never meet. We look at each project the same way a seasoned investor would, starting with the property itself and working outward from there. If you’re new to hard money lending or just trying to understand what we actually care about before you apply, this is worth reading.
What We Look at Before We Say Yes
Single-family homes are our primary focus at HiFi Hard Money. We lend across major markets in Texas, including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. Projects in rural or remote areas are generally outside what we do, so if you’re working in one of those metro markets, you’re already in the right place.
The first thing we look at is the property itself. We want to understand what it’s worth today and, more importantly, what it will be worth once the work is done. That second number is the After Repaired Value, or ARV, and it drives almost everything else in how we structure your loan.
The ARV and Why It Drives Everything
We lend up to 75% of the ARV on qualifying single-family fix-and-flip projects. That number represents our confidence in the deal after renovation. It’s not based on the purchase price alone or what you think the neighborhood might do in five years. It’s grounded in what comparable homes are actually selling for right now, which is why we take a close look at nearby sales before we offer any terms.
If the ARV supports the deal, the loan can cover both the purchase and the rehab budget. That’s the whole point of a fix-and-flip loan: you’re not supposed to drain your cash reserves just to get into the property.
The Property Type Matters
We focus on non-owner-occupied single-family homes. Condos are generally not something we take on. Small multifamily properties come up occasionally, but they’re not the norm for us, and in today’s lending environment, we approach those on a case-by-case basis. If you have a single-family home in a Texas major market, that’s the sweet spot.
Your Renovation Plan and Draw Process
We want to understand the scope of work before we close. A clear, realistic rehab budget tells us a lot about how an investor approaches a project. We use a simple one-page scope of work format that keeps things straightforward for everyone.
Once your project is underway, drawings are handled quickly. We typically do one physical inspection at around 40 to 50% project completion. Outside of that, photos and videos are usually enough. Same day or next-day turnaround on draws keeps your contractor paid and your timeline on track.
How Long Does It Take to Close
For investors working with us for the first time, plan for around five business days from application to closing. If you’ve worked with HiFi before, that timeline can be as short as three business days through our Express Lane process. We don’t drag things out, and we don’t leave you guessing where your file sits.
What We’re Transparent About
We pass through third-party costs, like appraisals and document prep, at exactly what we pay. There are no administrative fees layered on top, no underwriting fees added to pad the bill. What you see is what the actual cost is. That matters more than most borrowers realize until they’ve been surprised by a competitor’s closing statement.
Fees and interim interest are typically deferred until you sell the property, which means you’re not writing big checks before the project even starts.
The deal you bring us should have a clear exit, a realistic rehab plan, and a property that fits our single-family focus in a Texas major market. When those pieces are in place, we move fast.
Ready to run a deal for us? Contact us at (972) 630-6676, email info@hifihardmoney.com, or apply directly at hifihardmoney.com.
FAQs
Does HiFi Hard Money lend on condos or small multifamily properties?
Our primary focus is on non-owner-occupied single-family homes in major Texas markets. Condos are generally outside what we finance. Small multifamily properties come up occasionally but are handled on a case-by-case basis.
How does the 75% ARV limit affect my loan amount?
We lend up to 75% of the After Repaired Value, which is the estimated sale price after renovations are complete. That figure drives how much we can lend toward both purchase and rehab costs combined.
How long does closing take for a new investor?
New borrowers can typically expect around five business days from application to closing. Returning investors who have already worked with HiFi can close in as little as three business days through our Express Lane.
Are there upfront fees I need to budget for?
HiFi defers points, appraisal costs, doc prep, inspection fees, and the first month’s prorated interest until the property sells. We don’t charge administrative or underwriting fees on top of those third-party costs.
