Fix and Flip Loans for California Real Estate Investors

Good flips go fast. When you find a property with real upside, you need financing that closes before another investor beats you to it, and you need the renovation money lined up too. Banks aren’t built for that. Private money is.

Seth Swenson Mortgage Capital arranges fix and flip loans that cover most of the purchase price and the renovation budget, so you can buy, rehab, and sell without tying up all your own cash.

Talk to Seth: (415) 860-7384

Loan Terms at a Glance

Rates and terms are subject to change and depend on the property, borrower and lender approval. Loans are for business purposes only, not for owner-occupied homes.

How It Works

1. Send Seth the deal

Share the address, purchase price, your renovation budget and what you expect the home to be worth once it’s finished. Seth will tell you quickly whether it pencils out and which lenders fit.

2. Close on the purchase

The loan covers up to 90% of the purchase price at closing. Private lenders focus on the property and the plan, not tax returns, so closings can happen in days rather than weeks.

3. Renovate with draw funding

As work is completed, you request a draw. The lender verifies progress, often with a quick inspection, and releases funds to reimburse you or pay your contractor.

4. Sell or refinance

When the project is done, sell the property and pay off the loan, or refinance into a long-term rental property loan if you’d rather keep it.

Example: How the Numbers Work

Say you find a single-family home for $600,000 that needs a $120,000 renovation. Once finished, comparable homes sell for about $950,000.

• Purchase financing at 90%: $540,000
• Rehab financing at 100%: $120,000
• Total loan: $660,000
• ARV check: $660,000 is about 69% of the $950,000 after-repair value, comfortably within the 75% ARV limit

Your cash to close is the remaining 10% of the purchase price, $60,000, plus points and closing costs.

Figures are illustrative only. Actual loan amounts depend on the appraisal, the scope of work and lender approval.

Estimate your numbers with our Loan Calculator →

Who This Loan Is For

• Investors buying distressed or dated properties to renovate and resell
• First-time flippers with a solid plan and contractor lined up, since no track record is required
• Experienced investors who want to keep cash free for the next deal
• Buyers competing against cash offers who need to close quickly

Why Work with Seth Swenson Mortgage Capital

Seth has worked in private money lending since 2003, including more than 25 years living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a licensed California broker with access to over 50 private lenders, he matches each deal with a lender whose rules fit it, rather than forcing your project into one lender’s box.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need flipping experience to qualify?

No. First-time investors are welcome. A clear renovation budget and a realistic after-repair value matter more than a track record.

What credit score do I need?

The minimum is a 600 middle credit score. The property and your plan carry more weight than credit with a fix and flip loan.

Can I live in the property?

No. Fix and flip loans are business-purpose loans for investment properties. If you’re buying a home to live in before selling your current one, see our Buy Before You Sell loans.

What if the renovation takes longer than planned?

Terms are available at 12 or 18 months, so choose the one that fits your timeline with some cushion.

What if I want to keep the property as a rental?

Many investors refinance into a long-term rental property loan once the renovation is finished. Seth can plan both loans from the start.

Do you finance new construction?

Yes, through a separate program. See our Ground Up Construction Loans.

Ready to Fund Your Next Flip?

Call Seth at (415) 860-7384 or send a message with the property address, purchase price, rehab budget and expected after-repair value. He’ll tell you quickly whether the deal works.