The fix-and-flip market is as competitive as ever in 2026. Tight inventory, rising renovation costs, and a shrinking window between “deal found” and “deal gone” have made one thing crystal clear: your lender is either your biggest competitive advantage or your biggest liability.
We’ve spent the past several months profiling some of the most active private lenders in the space. What you’ll find below isn’t a generic directory. These are lenders we’ve sat down with, dug into their programs, and vetted their terms so you don’t have to. Each entry links to a full feature article with the details you need to make an informed decision.
1. Unitas Funding — Up to 92.5% LTC with No Bait-and-Switch
Unitas Funding has built its entire brand around one promise: when they say yes, they mean it. Led by Chief Production Officer John Santilli, the firm has made it a point of differentiation to do the underwriting legwork before issuing a term sheet—not after. The result is a lender that shows up on closing day with the same answer they gave you on day one.
For fix-and-flip investors specifically, Unitas offers up to 92.5% LTC and 75% AR-LTV on loan amounts up to $4.5M, with 12-, 18-, or 24-month terms. They operate nationwide (excluding NV, WA, OR, and UT) and require a minimum FICO of 600.
If you’ve been burned by a last-minute lender pullout before, Unitas is worth a serious look.
→ Read the Full Unitas Funding Feature
2. Stallion Funding — Same-Day Term Sheets Across 30 States
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Stallion Funding has become a go-to capital partner for real estate investors across 30 states. Their fix-and-flip program offers up to 85–93% LTC with rates starting at 8.00%—and perhaps more importantly, same-day term sheets that let you bid with the confidence of a cash buyer.
Stallion’s closing timeline of two weeks has proven to be a meaningful edge in markets where sellers won’t wait on slow institutional timelines. They also offer ground-up construction financing (up to $3M) and bridge loans for time-sensitive acquisitions.
If you’re operating across state lines and need a lender who can keep pace with your deal flow, Stallion is worth a call to originator Juan Carlos Blandon.
→ Read the Full Stallion Funding Feature
3. Malve Capital — No Minimum FICO, Close in 5 Days
Port Washington, NY-based Malve Capital has quietly earned a strong reputation among investors who’ve been turned away elsewhere—specifically, those with bruised credit histories. Their underwriting philosophy is simple: the asset tells the story, not the FICO score.
Their fix-and-flip and BRRRR program funds up to 90% of purchase price and 100% of construction costs, with no W-2s, no tax returns, and no bank statements required. In the right circumstances, they can close in as little as 5 business days.
Rates start at 9% with origination fees between 1–2%, and there are no prepayment penalties on short-term loans. For investors who work fast, that matters.
→ Read the Full Malve Capital Feature
4. Asset Based Capital, Inc. — No Credit Score, No DSCR, No Problem
Rick Gnafakis has spent years building ABC into one of the most flexible private lenders in the Northeast, with reach extending across most of the U.S. (excluding CA, AZ, NV, AK, HI, SD, and ND). Their approach to underwriting is refreshingly direct: they evaluate the asset, not the borrower’s financial history.
ABC’s bridge and fix-and-flip program covers loan amounts from $250,000 to $20,000,000 on 12–24 month terms, with a primary focus on 1-4 family investment, multifamily, and mixed-use properties. No minimum credit score. No DSCR requirement. Just the deal itself.
For investors repositioning distressed assets or working on properties that don’t fit neatly into conventional underwriting boxes, ABC is worth a conversation.
→ Read the Full Asset Based Capital Feature
5. Sphinx Capital — Advisory-First Lending for Complex Deals
Most lenders fund deals. Sphinx Capital structures them. Led by Managing Partner Lance Stukaloff, Sphinx has built a reputation as a strategic partner for developers and investors working on projects that require more than a cookie-cutter loan product.
Their suite spans bridge lending, construction financing, long-term debt, and specialized asset types—multifamily, commercial land, and beyond. What sets them apart is their advisory-first approach: they want to understand your project before they talk terms, which means fewer surprises and more creative solutions when the deal gets complicated.
Their recent SEC filing around the Sphinx Opportunity Fund signals a move toward structured investment vehicles—worth watching for investors interested in the capital stack beyond traditional debt.
→ Read the Full Sphinx Capital Feature
5. Rivara Capital — High-Leverage Solutions for Strategic Flippers
Most lenders fund deals. Rivara Capital scales them. Focused on empowering both emerging and seasoned investors, Rivara has built a reputation as a high-leverage partner for those moving at the speed of the fix-and-flip market.
Their program offers an aggressive capital structure, providing up to 92% of the purchase price and 100% of renovation costs. What sets them apart is their operational agility: they prioritize fast approvals and a simplified draw process, ensuring contractors stay paid and projects stay on track. By capping loans at 75% of the After Repair Value (ARV), they provide the breathing room needed to maximize profit margins on 1-4 family homes and condos.
With a nationwide reach and a “partnership-first” mentality, Rivara is designed for investors who need more than just a check—they need a lender that can navigate permitting snags and budget overruns as a creative collaborator rather than a rigid institution.
→ Read the Full Rivara Capital Feature
The Bottom Line
The best fix-and-flip lender for your next deal depends on your credit profile, deal size, geography, and how fast you need to move. What these five lenders have in common is a willingness to look at the deal rather than just the borrower—and the capital infrastructure to back it up.
We’ll continue adding featured lender profiles throughout 2026. If you’re a private lender interested in being featured on LenderTribune.com, reach out here.
— The LenderTribune Editorial Team
