New House Flipper Looking for Lending
Member since 2025 · 25 posts · 16 votes
New House Flipper Looking for Lending
Most Popular Reply
Lender · Jacksonville, FL · Member since 2026 · 46 posts · 17 votes
6moQuote from @Nick Gauss:
Hey everyone! I'm based in central Wisconsin and actively working toward my first fix-and-flip this year. I come from a hands on construction/hvac background and am focused on properties in the 100k-150k range with clear value add potential. I'm currently analyzing deals daily and building out my team. I have some capital set aside for closing costs and project support, and I'm looking to connect with private or hard money lenders, or potential JV partners interested in working together on solid deals. My focus is on strong numbers, clear scopes, and building long term relationships, not just a one-off project. If you're lending in Wisconsin or nearby markets, I'd appreciate connecting and learning how you typically structure your deals.
Thanks in advance!
I'm a broker and it's always a goal to build long term relationships with my clients. You get to know who refuses pre-payment penalties and who wants I/O loans no matter what. Clients don't have to send in as much paperwork each time because you have their ID and entity docs already. You know when you have a client about to sell their huge rehab and you have a line of credit product become available so you call them because you know it fits their interests.
There's only so much creative financing that can be done on the lending side but I can teach you how to fit it in. Happy to help anytime.
19 Replies
- 6moDevin PetersonBusiness MemberLender · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2022 · 2k+ posts · 676 votes
Quote from @Nick Gauss:
Hey everyone! I'm based in central Wisconsin and actively working toward my first fix-and-flip this year. I come from a hands on construction/hvac background and am focused on properties in the 100k-150k range with clear value add potential. I'm currently analyzing deals daily and building out my team. I have some capital set aside for closing costs and project support, and I'm looking to connect with private or hard money lenders, or potential JV partners interested in working together on solid deals. My focus is on strong numbers, clear scopes, and building long term relationships, not just a one-off project. If you're lending in Wisconsin or nearby markets, I'd appreciate connecting and learning how you typically structure your deals.
Thanks in advance!
Hey Nick,
really love reading your story! I would recommend partnering up with an experienced Broker / someone who deals with a lot of programs as far as accessibility and process! Take a look at the find a lender tab at the top of the page! Good luck
ProAlpha Capital55 Reviews - Real Estate Agent · Kansas City · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes6mo
Any local meetups you can attend or FB groups to eb active in? Those are solid. Also find a agent who works with investors and ask for referrals.
- 6moJonathan LeeBusiness MemberLender · FL · Member since 2025 · 86 posts · 30 votes
Hey Nick,
Having a hands-on construction and HVAC background is a huge advantage in the fix-and-flip space. Focusing on clear value-add opportunities and building the right team early will make a big difference as you start scaling. It also sounds like you’re being disciplined about your numbers and deal selection, which is key in today’s market.
From a financing standpoint, most investors in that price range typically use a mix of hard money or private capital for acquisition and rehab, then either sell or refinance once the project is complete. The structure can vary quite a bit depending on experience level, project scope, and exit strategy, so it’s smart that you’re connecting with lenders now to understand how they underwrite deals and what leverage they’re comfortable with.
Happy to connect and share insights on how different lenders structure fix-and-flip financing, what terms to expect, and how to position your deals to get approved quickly.
Helm Mortgage Corp.5125 Reviews - 6moArman AhmedPro MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 967 votes
Quote from @Nick Gauss:
Hey everyone! I'm based in central Wisconsin and actively working toward my first fix-and-flip this year. I come from a hands on construction/hvac background and am focused on properties in the 100k-150k range with clear value add potential. I'm currently analyzing deals daily and building out my team. I have some capital set aside for closing costs and project support, and I'm looking to connect with private or hard money lenders, or potential JV partners interested in working together on solid deals. My focus is on strong numbers, clear scopes, and building long term relationships, not just a one-off project. If you're lending in Wisconsin or nearby markets, I'd appreciate connecting and learning how you typically structure your deals.
Thanks in advance!
Solid position to be in already with the construction background, that removes a lot of the execution risk most first-time flippers struggle with. In your price range, the key is really just finding enough spread after rehab, and that’s where a lot of Wisconsin deals can get tight depending on the market. A lot of investors I work with end up expanding into other Midwest markets, because they can still find off-market, under-valued flips where the numbers leave more cushion for both lender and operator. If you’re actively building your lending/JV network, it also helps that those markets tend to have more investor-friendly hard money, boots-on-the-ground contractors, and property managers already in place, which makes scaling a lot smoother once your first deal is done right. - 6moPhilip CookPro MemberInvestor · Stevens Point, WI · Member since 2020 · 91 posts · 52 votes
@Nick Gauss what do you define as Central WI? I'm in Stevens Point and am actively marketing to the 7 counties around me.
Check out one or multiple of the WiscoREIA locations and start developing relationships. There are a few other groups around the state that I'm not as familiar with too. Caffeine and Cashflow is one that comes to mind.
As far as hard money in the state, Good Faith Funding and Best REI Funding are the two I know if that are WI specific. If you get to one of the REIA meetings you may run into Mark P. as well. He's a private hard money lender, but he prefers pretty quick turnarounds.
- Member since 2025 · 25 posts · 16 votes6mo
Quote from @Philip Cook:
@Nick Gauss what do you define as Central WI? I'm in Stevens Point and am actively marketing to the 7 counties around me.
Check out one or multiple of the WiscoREIA locations and start developing relationships. There are a few other groups around the state that I'm not as familiar with too. Caffeine and Cashflow is one that comes to mind.
As far as hard money in the state, Good Faith Funding and Best REI Funding are the two I know if that are WI specific. If you get to one of the REIA meetings you may run into Mark P. as well. He's a private hard money lender, but he prefers pretty quick turnarounds.
Hey Philip. I am a member at the REIA, I've taken some classes and been to one gathering and will be attending more. I do believe this to be my best option in finding funding.
- Real Estate Broker · Lincoln, NE · Member since 2026 · 64 posts · 12 votes6mo
Nick — sounds like you’re starting from a strong place with the construction/HVAC background. That alone removes a lot of the execution risk most first‑time flippers struggle with, especially in the $100–150k range where spreads can get tight.
If you’re actively analyzing deals and building your team now, this is the right time to get clarity on lending structure. Different lenders will underwrite experience, scope, and exit strategy differently, so knowing what they look for upfront will help you move fast once the right deal hits your inbox.
If you ever want to compare options or walk through what leverage, rates, and draw schedules typically look like for first‑time flippers in the Midwest, I’m happy to share what I’m seeing across multiple lenders and private capital sources. No pitch — just helping you understand how to position your deals so you get quick approvals and clean terms.
If you’ve got a sample deal you’re analyzing, feel free to drop the numbers and I can give you a sense of how most lenders would view it.
- Lender · Jacksonville, FL · Member since 2026 · 46 posts · 17 votes6mo
Quote from @Nick Gauss:
Hey everyone! I'm based in central Wisconsin and actively working toward my first fix-and-flip this year. I come from a hands on construction/hvac background and am focused on properties in the 100k-150k range with clear value add potential. I'm currently analyzing deals daily and building out my team. I have some capital set aside for closing costs and project support, and I'm looking to connect with private or hard money lenders, or potential JV partners interested in working together on solid deals. My focus is on strong numbers, clear scopes, and building long term relationships, not just a one-off project. If you're lending in Wisconsin or nearby markets, I'd appreciate connecting and learning how you typically structure your deals.
Thanks in advance!
I'm a broker and it's always a goal to build long term relationships with my clients. You get to know who refuses pre-payment penalties and who wants I/O loans no matter what. Clients don't have to send in as much paperwork each time because you have their ID and entity docs already. You know when you have a client about to sell their huge rehab and you have a line of credit product become available so you call them because you know it fits their interests.
There's only so much creative financing that can be done on the lending side but I can teach you how to fit it in. Happy to help anytime. - Real Estate Broker · Illinois, FL · Member since 2022 · 22 posts · 4 votes6mo
Hello Nick wish you successful fix and flip journey. I'm investor as well done few rentals and one flip out of state. I'm with theonebrokerage ( David and Christian's company ) we work mostly with investors. If you have any scenario or questions about any mortgage options feel free to let me know. I'll try to help you as much as I can.
- 6moStacy RaskinBusiness MemberLender · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 522 votes
There are fix and flip programs with up to 90% of the purchase price and 100% of the financing done on draws. Exact lending options depend on borrower credit, actual property and property location. Happy to connect to discuss further.
Bright Skyline518 Reviews - Wholesaler · USA · Member since 2026 · 4 posts · 1 vote6mo
“Hey Nick, sounds like you’re building things the right way—especially focusing on numbers and long-term relationships.
Quick question—are you currently sourcing your own off-market deals, or open to additional deal flow if it fits your buy box?
I’ve been helping investors get consistent motivated seller leads through targeted outreach, especially in that 100–150k range. Happy to connect if that’s useful.”
- Specialist · NJ · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 661 votes6mo
The lending facet of this industry is all about credit, capital, experience. They say you should come with two of the three.
Set up your LLC and get your EIN if you have not and open a bank account. If you wanna buy a house for 100k - 150k assume 80% leverage not 90%. If you get 90% great. So you put up 20k - 30k for down payment and another 5k - 7k for all the closing costs between title and lender. Then the holding costs for at least 6 months probably closer to 9 months and any overages with the rehab. You need 50k+ to back yourself up in the deal of this range.
Getting the bridge loans is not difficult. It's like going out to buy a Pepsi. How many people sell soft drinks? Anybody and everybody.
There's a few big box lenders at the top and then some boutique lenders below them, then everyone else is a broker selling their products.
- 6moJimmy LieuBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votesHey Benito, great question—there are a ton of tools out there, but the biggest pain points I see when vetting deals usually come down to bad or incomplete data, overly optimistic assumptions, and not fully understanding the local market dynamics. Rent estimates can be off, expense ratios get underestimated, and people often forget to factor in things like vacancy, maintenance, and capital expenditures, which can completely change the deal. Another big one is analysis paralysis—people rely so heavily on tools that they stop trusting their own understanding of the numbers. What’s helped me is using tools as a starting point, then verifying everything manually by checking comparable rents, recent sales, and stress testing the deal with conservative assumptions to see if it still works. I also like to keep my buy criteria simple and consistent so I can move quickly when something actually makes sense instead of overthinking every deal. Over time, you start to spot patterns and it gets a lot easier to filter out the noise. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!
Quote from @Nick Gauss:
Hey everyone! I'm based in central Wisconsin and actively working toward my first fix-and-flip this year. I come from a hands on construction/hvac background and am focused on properties in the 100k-150k range with clear value add potential. I'm currently analyzing deals daily and building out my team. I have some capital set aside for closing costs and project support, and I'm looking to connect with private or hard money lenders, or potential JV partners interested in working together on solid deals. My focus is on strong numbers, clear scopes, and building long term relationships, not just a one-off project. If you're lending in Wisconsin or nearby markets, I'd appreciate connecting and learning how you typically structure your deals.
Thanks in advance!
Jimmy Lieu, Red 1 Realty4.9122 Reviews - Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 497 posts · 127 votes6mo
Sounds like you’re approaching it the right way. That combination tends to work really well for first flips.
I work with investors in similar situations and help structure fix & flip financing so they can keep capital for reserves while still moving quickly on deals.
If you’ve got strong numbers and a clear scope, getting funding lined up early makes a big difference when it’s time to close.
Happy to connect and walk through how we typically structure deals in that range.
Are you already under contract on anything, or still in the deal analysis phase right now?
- 5moErik EstradaBusiness MemberLender · Member since 2022 · 6k+ posts · 1k+ votes
Quote from @Nick Gauss:
Hey everyone! I'm based in central Wisconsin and actively working toward my first fix-and-flip this year. I come from a hands on construction/hvac background and am focused on properties in the 100k-150k range with clear value add potential. I'm currently analyzing deals daily and building out my team. I have some capital set aside for closing costs and project support, and I'm looking to connect with private or hard money lenders, or potential JV partners interested in working together on solid deals. My focus is on strong numbers, clear scopes, and building long term relationships, not just a one-off project. If you're lending in Wisconsin or nearby markets, I'd appreciate connecting and learning how you typically structure your deals.
Thanks in advance!
Happy to connect!
LuxePrivate Investments LLC 570 Reviews - Contractor · NYC/Los Angeles · Member since 2019 · 91 posts · 55 votes5mo
For a first flip, I would think about lending and rehab budget together. The loan terms only matter if the project can actually survive the cash needs and timeline.
Hard money can work, but understand the full structure: purchase funding, rehab funding, points, interest rate, draw schedule, inspection process, minimum cash required, reserves, extension fees, and what happens if the project runs long. Many new flippers focus on whether they can get approved and miss the cash-flow timing.
Rehab draws are especially important. If the lender reimburses after work is complete, you still need cash to front labor, materials, deposits, permits, utilities, and surprises. That is where undercapitalized flips get stuck.
Before talking to lenders, build a full project budget: purchase, closing costs, rehab, contingency, loan costs, interest, insurance, taxes, utilities, HOA if any, staging, selling costs, commissions, and expected seller credits. Then stress test it with a higher rehab number and longer hold.
For your first deal, keep the scope boring and controllable. Avoid heavy structural, foundation, fire/water damage, major layout changes, or anything where the repair number is hard to know before closing. The cheapest money is not as valuable as buying a deal you can actually execute.
- Member since 2025 · 25 posts · 16 votes5mo
Quote from @Richard Golding:
For a first flip, I would think about lending and rehab budget together. The loan terms only matter if the project can actually survive the cash needs and timeline.
Hard money can work, but understand the full structure: purchase funding, rehab funding, points, interest rate, draw schedule, inspection process, minimum cash required, reserves, extension fees, and what happens if the project runs long. Many new flippers focus on whether they can get approved and miss the cash-flow timing.
Rehab draws are especially important. If the lender reimburses after work is complete, you still need cash to front labor, materials, deposits, permits, utilities, and surprises. That is where undercapitalized flips get stuck.
Before talking to lenders, build a full project budget: purchase, closing costs, rehab, contingency, loan costs, interest, insurance, taxes, utilities, HOA if any, staging, selling costs, commissions, and expected seller credits. Then stress test it with a higher rehab number and longer hold.
For your first deal, keep the scope boring and controllable. Avoid heavy structural, foundation, fire/water damage, major layout changes, or anything where the repair number is hard to know before closing. The cheapest money is not as valuable as buying a deal you can actually execute.
Thank you for the reply! This is all stuff that I had to figure out the hard way when trying to get to the lending part of things about a year ago that nobody wanted to tell me about. I'm looking for more of a JV structure, partnership, or private money now and letting my deals speak for themselves. I'm on the lookout for a proper deal, and hoping to get into one soon.
- Member since 2026 · 15 posts · 2 votes5moHi Nick, glad to hear the journey started! Let me know if you have any questions on the lending side!!! let’s connect!
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.