Menu
🔨Investor

Fix and Flip Loans in California

Short-term financing for purchasing and renovating properties for resale.

Finance purchase + renovation costsFast approval and fundingBased on after-repair value (ARV)Short-term 6-18 month terms

Bottom Line Up Front

Fix and flip loans provide the capital to purchase distressed or value-add properties, fund renovations, and sell for a profit. These short-term loans are designed for experienced and aspiring real estate investors who need fast funding and flexible terms to execute renovation projects throughout California.

Finance purchase + renovation costsFast approval and fundingBased on after-repair value (ARV)Short-term 6-18 month termsMultiple draw schedule for rehab funds

What Are Fix and Flip Loans?

Fix and flip loans provide the capital to purchase distressed or value-add properties, fund renovations, and sell for a profit. These short-term loans are designed for experienced and aspiring real estate investors who need fast funding and flexible terms to execute renovation projects throughout California.

Fix and Flip Loan Requirements

Property value and after-repair value (ARV). Experience preferred but not always required. Down payment varies by LTV. Renovation budget and timeline plan.

Benefits of Fix and Flip Loans

  • Finance purchase + renovation costs
  • Fast approval and funding
  • Based on after-repair value (ARV)
  • Short-term 6-18 month terms
  • Multiple draw schedule for rehab funds
  • No income verification in many programs

✅ Pros

  • Quick access to capital
  • ARV-based lending maximizes leverage
  • Renovation funds included
  • Scalable for repeat investors

⚠️ Considerations

  • Higher interest rates
  • Short repayment timeline
  • Requires solid exit strategy
  • Points and fees

Fix and Flip Loans in California: What to Know

California's high property values make fix-and-flip investing especially profitable. Markets like Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and the Inland Empire offer strong opportunities for renovation investors.

Fix and Flip Loan Rates and Costs

Typically 9-12% depending on experience, LTV, and property type. Points range from 1-3%.

Why Work with Our Recommended Broker for Fix & Flip Loans?

Our recommended broker, Save Financial, Inc. (NMLS #377740), is a trusted California mortgage brokerage with 45 years of combined experience and relationships with 20+ wholesale lenders. They specialize in finding the best fix & flip loans rates and terms for California borrowers. Their $500 price guarantee means if they can't beat another lender's offer, you get $500. Our recommended broker serves 168+ California cities from offices in Newport Beach and Marina del Rey, and the team speaks English and Spanish.

Call (888) 703-1840 or get a free quote online — open 7 days a week, 9AM–8PM.

🏆

Our Recommended Broker's $500 Price Match Guarantee

Our recommended broker, Save Financial, guarantees to beat any written offer for the same product, we pay you $500 cash.

Sponsored by Save Financial, Inc. (NMLS #377740) · DRE #01875766 · Call (888) 703-1840

Claim Guarantee →
MB

Reviewed By

Mike Basti, Licensed Mortgage Broker

Expert contributor to Mortgage Guide California. Licensed mortgage broker (NMLS #377740, DRE #01875766) and founder of Save Financial, Inc. in Newport Beach, CA. 20+ years originating conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, and specialty loans across California.

Get Your Free Quote

No obligation · No hard credit pull

1
2
3

What's your goal?

🏆

$500 Price Match Guarantee

We beat any lender's written offer or pay you $500.

🛡️ Equal Housing Lender
NMLS Licensed
5-Star Rated
🏆 BBB Accredited

Fix-and-Flip Financing Structure

Fix-and-flip loans provide both the purchase price and renovation costs in a single loan, structured as short-term bridge financing with interest-only payments. The loan amount is based on the after-repair value (ARV) — typically 70-85% of ARV. For a California property with an ARV of $900,000, a 75% ARV loan provides $675,000 total: $500,000 for the purchase and $175,000 for renovations. The renovation funds are held in escrow and disbursed in stages as the contractor completes work — the lender inspects each phase before releasing the next draw. Terms range from 6-18 months, with interest rates of 9-13% and 1-3 origination points.

Experienced flippers with a track record of successful projects qualify for better terms — lower rates, higher leverage, and faster closings. First-time flippers may face higher down payment requirements (30-35% of purchase price) and lower ARV leverage. California's high property values create both opportunity and risk: the profit margins per flip are larger ($60,000-$150,000 on a typical coastal flip), but the capital at risk is also substantial. Before pursuing a fix-and-flip loan, analyze the deal using the 70% rule: maximum purchase price should be 70% of ARV minus renovation costs.

Last updated: July 2026. Sources: California Contractors State License Board renovation requirements. California Department of Real Estate licensing for fix-and-flip lending.

Frequently Asked Questions — Fix & Flip Loans

What is a fix and flip loan in California?

A fix and flip loan is short-term financing for buying, renovating and reselling a property, underwritten on the deal rather than your income. Lenders commonly fund up to 90% of purchase and 100% of rehab, capped at 70-75% of after-repair value. Terms run 6 to 18 months, interest-only, with rates 2% to 5% above conventional plus 1 to 3 points. Closings happen in 7 to 21 days.

What credit score do I need for fix & flip loans?

Most fix and flip loan programs in California look for 660+. Credit tends to affect your pricing more than your eligibility — a stronger score usually shows up as a lower rate rather than a different answer on whether you qualify.

How much down payment do I need?

A fix and flip loan in California typically requires 10-20% of purchase. The exact figure moves with your credit profile, occupancy and property type — stronger files land at the low end of that range.

How long does closing take?

A fix and flip loan in California generally closes in 7-21 days. Appraisal turn times and how quickly you return requested documents are the two things that move that timeline most.

Can I use this program for an investment property?

A fix and flip loan is available for investment property only. Occupancy affects both pricing and down payment, so confirm the intended use up front — it changes the terms you are quoted.

Are rates higher for fix & flip loans?

Fix and flip loan rates run materially higher — commonly 2% to 5% above conventional, plus 1 to 3 points, because the money is short-term and fast. Your specific number depends on credit, down payment, occupancy and the day you lock.

Do I need to verify my income?

For a fix and flip loan, income is qualified on the deal — after-repair value and rehab budget, not personal income. This is the main way the program differs from a standard conventional loan, and it is usually the reason borrowers choose it.

Can I refinance later into a different program?

Yes. With a fix and flip loan the usual path is to exit by selling, or refinance into a DSCR loan if you decide to hold. Nothing locks you in — plan the exit when you take the loan rather than after.

What documents do I need to apply?

For a fix and flip loan you will need a government ID, credit authorization and property details, plus a rehab budget, contractor scope, purchase contract and evidence of prior projects.

How do I get started?

Call (888) 703-1840 for a free fix and flip loan consultation, or use the form on this page. Pre-approval usually takes 1-3 business days, and there is no cost and no hard credit pull to find out what you qualify for.

Apply for Fix & Flip Loans Today

Get a free consultation and find out if Fix & Flip Loans are right for your situation.

Get your free quote

No obligation. No credit pull. A licensed advisor replies within one business day.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by Save Financial, Inc. (NMLS #377740) about your inquiry, including by phone or text at the number provided. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. 🔒 Your information is never sold.

or speak with someone nowCall (888) 703-1840
About This Website

Mortgage Education Written by Licensed Mortgage Professionals

Mortgage Guide California was created by licensed mortgage professionals to help California homebuyers and homeowners understand their options before they apply. This website itself is not a lender or a mortgage broker — it does not take applications, quote binding rates, or make credit decisions. The guides are written and reviewed by people who place loans for a living, and the site is sponsored and paid for by Save Financial, Inc., a California-licensed mortgage broker.

🏆
Sponsored by Save Financial, Inc.
NMLS #377740 · DRE #01875766 · California Licensed Mortgage Broker

Save Financial is our recommended mortgage broker partner with 45 years of combined experience and access to 20+ wholesale lenders. They serve all of California from offices in Newport Beach and Marina del Rey. Their $500 Price Match Guarantee ensures you get the best rate available. The team speaks English and Spanish.

Get Free Expert Guidance →📞 (888) 703-1840Apply Online →

Mortgage Guide California is an educational resource sponsored and paid for by Save Financial, Inc. All mortgage services, rate quotes, and loan applications are handled by Save Financial, Inc. (NMLS #377740, DRE #01875766), a California-licensed mortgage broker. Equal Housing Lender. All loans subject to credit approval.

📞 Call an Expert📊 Check Rates