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Hard money and fix and flip loans in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Financing for older houses to update, canal-front homes, duplexes, small multifamily and new construction across Fort Lauderdale.
The Fort Lauderdale market for investors
Fort Lauderdale is the county seat of Broward County and the second-largest market in South Florida, with miles of canals, a busy downtown along the New River and steady demand from buyers moving north from Miami-Dade.
Investors renovate 1950s and 1960s houses, hold duplexes and small apartment buildings, and tear down older homes to build new ones, especially near the water. Canal-front deals come with their own items, such as seawalls and docks, to price in.
Neighborhoods investors ask about
- Victoria Park and Flagler Village: close to downtown, older homes and new townhomes
- Sailboat Bend and Tarpon River: historic and older homes near the New River
- Lauderdale Manors, Dorsey-Riverbend and Sistrunk: lower-priced homes to renovate and rent
- Edgewood, Riverland and Melrose Manors: 1950s houses ready for updates
- Coral Ridge, Harbor Beach and the Isles: higher-priced canal-front homes and rebuilds
Plan for these on a Fort Lauderdale deal
- Investment property gets no homestead exemption, and combined property tax rates are often close to 2% of taxable value. The 10% yearly cap on non-homestead value resets when the property sells, and Amendment 3, approved in November 2026, lowers that cap to 5% from 2027. Budget with full market value.
- Documentary stamp tax on a deed is $0.70 per $100 of price, usually paid by the seller. A new mortgage adds note stamps of $0.35 per $100 and intangible tax of 0.2% of the loan.
- The county is in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, so new roofs, windows and doors need approvals rated for it. Price impact windows and the roof early.
- In a FEMA flood zone, a renovation costing 50% or more of the building’s value triggers current flood rules, which can mean elevating the house. Check the zone and the city’s counting rules before you set the scope.
- Broward County sets minimum heights for seawalls when they are built or substantially repaired. On a canal-front deal, get the seawall inspected and priced.
- Fort Lauderdale requires vacation rentals to register with the city and pass an inspection, on top of the state vacation rental license. Underwrite on long-term rent unless the address can legally host short-term rentals.
Loans available in Fort Lauderdale
| Program | Use it for | Top leverage |
|---|---|---|
| DSCR rental loans | Purchase or refinance of single-family rentals, duplexes, townhomes and small multifamily | 85% loan-to-value to buy, 80% on a cash-out refinance |
| Ground-up construction loans | Building a home, a duplex, a townhome or a small apartment building, lot included | 90% of cost for experienced builders, up to 70 to 75% of the finished value |
| Fix and flip loans | Purchase plus renovation of a property you intend to sell | 90% of the purchase price and 100% of the rehab, up to 70 to 75% of after-repair value |
| Portfolio and commercial loans | A group of rentals under one note, or multifamily and commercial property | 80% on a portfolio purchase; commercial priced per deal |
Fort Lauderdale hard money loans: common questions
Yes. We finance fix and flips, rentals and construction across Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.
Yes. A construction loan can cover the lot and the new build at up to 90% of cost for experienced builders, within 70 to 75% of the finished value.
Fix and flip loans average up to 21 days and can close in about 7 days when title and insurance are ready. Rental and DSCR loans take about 30 days, appraisal included. Closings are handled by a Florida title agent or real estate attorney.
Looking at a property in Fort Lauderdale?
Send the address, the price and what you plan to do with the property. We will reply with the leverage and pricing that fit your deal.