Hard Money Lenders in Arlington, VA

If you are buying or repositioning an investment property in Arlington, a hard money loan is one way to fund it quickly. These lenders size the loan mostly around the property and the strategy, and the loan is meant to be paid off by a sale or a refinance within a short window. Pricing runs higher than permanent financing, so the numbers behind your exit need to hold up.

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Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about hard money lenders for a property in Arlington. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.

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Short-term investor lending in Arlington County

49Investor loans with balloon or other non-amortizing terms in Arlington County (2024)

25.8%Share of investor loans

111Business-purpose investor loans in Arlington County (2024)

53%Homes built before 1980

Lenders reported 49 investment-property loans in Arlington County in 2024 with a balloon payment or another non-amortizing feature, 25.8% of investor loans there. 53% of housing in Arlington was built before 1980, and older homes that need work are the kind of property a bank often will not finance until the work is done.

What a hard money lender looks at first

A hard money lender starts with the collateral. Expect questions about the purchase price, the property's present condition, and what an appraiser or broker opinion says it is worth as-is and after any planned work.

Next comes the plan. Are you renovating and selling, or stabilizing the property and refinancing it into long-term rental financing? The lender wants to see that the strategy fits both the property and the local market.

Your own profile still counts. Credit, cash on hand for the down payment and reserves, and any track record with similar projects all shape the offer. Hard money lenders weigh income less heavily than a bank does, yet they still review your file, and terms differ from one lender and deal to the next.

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Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 865-8230. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.

Points, pricing and the cost of speed

Expect hard money to cost more than a DSCR or conventional investment loan. Lenders take on more risk with short, asset-focused loans, and they price for it through a higher interest rate, upfront points and other lender fees.

Points are charges paid at closing and figured as a share of the loan amount, so they add up quickly on a larger loan. Ask the loan officer for a written breakdown of every charge, including any fee for extending the loan if your project runs long.

When you compare offers, look at the total cost over the time you realistically expect to hold the loan, not just the rate. A somewhat higher rate paired with lower upfront charges can work out differently than the reverse.

Who this tends to fit

Competing against cash buyers on a time-sensitive purchase
Buying at auction or from an estate where timing is tight
Closing on a property while longer-term financing is still being arranged
Funding a purchase and renovation you plan to sell
Buying an investment property that needs repairs before a bank will lend on it

Arlington offices and Virginia rules for investors

Deed and mortgage recording: Arlington County Clerk of the Circuit Court - Land Records Division. Your mortgage is recorded here after closing.
Code enforcement and housing inspections: Code Enforcement (Inspection Services Division).

Virginia foreclosure process: nonjudicial. Virginia mortgages are typically deeds of trust; on default, Va. Code 55.1-320 lets the trustee declare the debt due and sell the property at auction without going to court. Short-term loans carry real risk if the exit plan slips, so know how default is handled before you sign.

Virginia transfer taxes: State recordation tax, including the additional tax paid by the grantor. Section 58.1-802 adds a tax on deeds that convey real property, payable by the grantor (seller); it sits on top of the general recordation tax under Chapter 8. Your Loan Estimate or closing statement lists what applies to your deal.

Planning the exit for a Arlington property

Every hard money loan needs a clear way out. The two common exits are selling the property or refinancing it into a longer-term loan, such as a DSCR loan, once it is renovated and rented.

Test the exit before you borrow. If you plan to sell, ask what similar renovated homes in and around Arlington have sold for and how long they sat on the market. If you plan to refinance, ask a loan officer what a DSCR lender would want to see on rent, condition and time owned.

Leave room for delays. Contractor slowdowns, permit issues or a soft resale market can push you past the maturity date, and extensions cost money.

Before you call

Recent bank statements showing funds to close and reserves
LLC formation documents and operating agreement, if buying in an entity
Your exit plan in writing: sale, refinance or both
Renovation scope and budget, if you plan work
Purchase contract, or the property address and price

Questions Arlington investors ask about hard money lenders

What happens if I cannot repay the hard money loan on time?

If the property has not sold or refinanced by maturity, the lender may offer an extension for a fee, or the loan may go into default. Default can bring added charges and, eventually, foreclosure. Ask about extension terms before you sign, keep reserves for delays, and contact the lender early if your timeline slips.

Why does hard money cost more than a regular mortgage?

These loans carry more risk for the lender: they are short, often fund properties in rough condition and rely on an exit that has not happened yet. Lenders offset that risk with a higher rate, points and fees. You are paying for speed and flexibility, so weigh the full cost of a hard money loan against the value of securing the deal you want.

Is a hard money loan a business-purpose loan?

When the property is an investment and the money funds a business purpose, lenders usually make a hard money loan as a business-purpose loan, frequently to an LLC. Its rules and disclosures are not the ones you would see on a mortgage for your own home. Ask the loan officer which disclosures and protections apply to your specific loan before you sign.

Can I use hard money to buy a rental property in Virginia?

Yes, many investors use hard money to buy a rental that needs work, then refinance into a DSCR or other long-term loan once repairs are done and a tenant is in place. Ask the loan officer what the refinance lender will expect on condition, rent and time owned so the hard money loan is set up for a smooth handoff.

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Get answers about hard money lenders for a property in or around Arlington. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.